If you want a restaurant-quality seafood dish on the table in under 20 minutes, Garlic Butter Shrimp is a go-to. This fast, fragrant recipe highlights tender shrimp bathed in garlicky butter and brightened with lemon and parsley. It’s naturally low in carbs, high in protein, and perfect for weeknight dinners, keto-friendly meals, or as an impressive appetizer.

Why this recipe works

• Fast: Prep and cook in about 15–20 minutes.
• Flavorful: Browned butter, sautéed garlic, and lemon create a bright, savory sauce.
• Versatile: Serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a leafy salad for low-carb/keto options.
• Crowd-pleasing: Elegant enough for guests, simple enough for busy nights.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 lb (454 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, as you prefer)
• 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (optional, helps prevent butter from burning)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 12 g)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 15 g)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (about 8 g)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Quick method

1. Pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add shrimp in a single layer and sear 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
3. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining butter to the skillet. When it starts to foam, add garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant (don’t burn).
4. Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley, scrape up any browned bits from the pan, then return shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce for 30 seconds.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Keto and low-carb notes
This recipe is an excellent choice for keto/low-carb eating—shrimp is very low in carbs and the butter/olive oil supply fat that’s desirable on those diets. Tips:

• Use ghee instead of butter if you need dairy-free (ghee remains keto-friendly).
• Serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a bed of greens to keep total carbs low.

Nutrition (estimated per serving)
(Recipe makes 4 servings. Values are estimates and will vary by ingredient brands and exact portions.)

Per serving (approximate)

• Calories: 248 kcal
• Total fat: ~15.1 g
• Saturated fat: ~9.0 g
• Protein: ~23.3 g
• Total carbohydrates: ~1.61 g
• Dietary fiber: ~0.14 g
• Sugars: ~0.8 g (mostly from garlic/lemon)
• Sugar alcohols: 0.0 g
• Net carbs: ~1.47 g

Whole recipe totals (approximate)

• Calories: ~994 kcal
• Total carbohydrates: ~6.44 g
• Dietary fiber: ~0.56 g
• Sugar alcohols: 0.0 g
• Net carbs (total): ~5.88 g

Notes on the nutrition calculations

• Sugar alcohols are 0 g because this recipe contains no sugar substitutes.
• Net carbs = total carbs − fiber − sugar alcohols.
• Carbohydrate and calorie counts primarily come from garlic and a small amount from lemon and parsley; shrimp itself contributes almost no carbs.
• These are estimates based on standard USDA nutrient data and common portion sizes. If you need precise tracking for medical reasons, weigh your ingredients and use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Allergen & dietary info

• Contains: shellfish (shrimp), dairy (butter).
• Easily modified: use ghee or olive oil instead of butter for dairy-free, or reduce garlic if sensitive.

Storage & reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat (add a splash of water or a little extra butter to refresh the sauce). Shrimp can overcook, so reheat briefly.

Serving suggestions

• Keto/low-carb: zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, arugula salad.
• Low-effort dinner: serve with roasted vegetables.
• Entertaining: serve as an appetizer with toothpicks or on crostini (note: crostini adds carbs).

Final tip
For the best texture, don’t overcrowd the pan—sear shrimp in a single layer so they brown quickly and remain juicy. A hot pan and dry shrimp make all the difference.

Enjoy this quick, savory Garlic Butter Shrimp as a fast weeknight star or an elegant low-carb main—rich in flavor, light on carbs, and simple to make.