Quick, fragrant, and effortlessly stylish—garlic shrimp checks all the boxes for busy nights or anyone new to the kitchen. Shrimp has always played muse in seafood recipes: subtly sweet, endlessly versatile, and amiable to nearly any flavor pairing. Cue garlic, the true showstopper, offering bold aroma and tang with every sizzle. Add pantry staples like butter, lemon, and a splash of seasoning, and you have a dish that’s light but undeniably luxe. This is weeknight seafood made chic—in one pan, less than 10 minutes, zero stress.
PrintMake Garlic Shrimp in Just 10 Minutes [Beginner Cook Approved]
This 10-minute Garlic Shrimp recipe comes together fast and easy, making it a game-changer for busy weeknights. It’s a wonderfully light and flavorful dish that’s quick and easy but doesn’t compromise on flavor!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, or butter
- 8 whole garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
- 20 extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined, towel-dried to remove excess moisture
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing cooking wine, or dry sherry
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- Optional: scallions, chives, cilantro, or parsley, freshly chopped for garnish
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
-
In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, heat oil/butter until just hot. Add garlic and constantly stir for 1 minute; keep stirring, as garlic burns easily.
-
Add shrimp and stir just until shrimp turn opaque, 2 minutes or so. Add cooking wine, salt, and pepper, tossing 1 more minute. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
- Always remember to towel-dry your shrimp before cooking. This step is crucial to prevent the shrimp from steaming instead of sauté, which can affect the texture and flavor of your dish.
- Use a large, heavy skillet for this recipe. It distributes heat evenly and prevents the garlic and shrimp from burning.
- When heating your oil or butter, make sure it’s just hot, not smoking. This will allow the garlic to cook properly without burning.
- Keep a close eye on your garlic. It can burn easily, so constant stirring is key. Burned garlic can give your dish a bitter flavor.
- Don’t overcook your shrimp. As soon as they turn opaque, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery and lose their sweet flavor.
- Don’t forget to season your shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. These simple seasonings can make a big difference and balance out the flavors.
- Garnish your dish with freshly chopped herbs like scallions, chives, cilantro, or parsley and serve it with some buttered noodles or rice.
- We don’t use soy sauce or any other store-bought sauce that contains sodium, as raw shrimp typically tastes somewhat salty on its own.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
If you’re looking for a quick yet flavorful dish, our 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp recipe is your answer. The tender shrimp cooked in a garlicky sauce is not just easy to make but also incredibly delicious. Here’s why we love this recipe:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes only 10 minutes from start to finish, making it the perfect option on busy weeknights or when you have unexpected guests.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll be surprised at how much flavor simple ingredients can create in a dish.
- Flavor: The combination of garlic, shrimp, and Shaoxing wine creates a burst of flavor that’s hard to resist.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Garlic – It infuses the shrimp with a robust, aromatic flavor that is simply irresistible.
- Extra-Large Shrimp – Shrimp are the star of this dish, and we show you how to cook them perfectly so that they’re tender and juicy.
- Shaoxing Cooking Wine or Dry Sherry – It’s used to deglaze the pan, adding a subtle depth of flavor to the shrimp that sets it apart from the rest.
Substitutions And Variations
This quick and simple 10-minute garlic shrimp recipe is packed with flavor and tastes incredible, but here are a few ideas to change up the flavors to your preferences:
- Spices: This dish tastes absolutely delicious as is, but you can add your favorite spices to it to make this recipe your own.
- Acidity: To make the flavors pop even more, add a splash of lemon juice before serving. You can also make and pour some extra lemon butter sauce on top before serving.
- Garnish: We love the fresh flavor of scallions, chives, cilantro, or parsley, but feel free to experiment with other herbs or even lemon zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
Super Easy Instructions
- Heat oil or butter in a skillet and saute garlic by constantly stirring so it does not burn.
- Add shrimp and stir until it turns opaque. Then add cooking wine and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
How To Prep Ahead
This 10-minute garlic shrimp recipe is already easy to make, but we have some additional tips to make it even more effortless:
- Prep the Garlic: You can slice or mince the garlic cloves ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This will save you some time when you’re ready to cook.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Peel, devein, and towel-dry the shrimp in advance. You can then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. This way, when you’re ready to cook, the shrimp are ready to go into the skillet.
What To Serve with Garlic Shrimp
Rice and Noodles
- This garlic shrimp is phenomenal over buttered noodles or rice.
