Home » Blog » Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp (Cooked in a Skillet)

Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp (Cooked in a Skillet)

These Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp have become an absolute favourite of mine. Large shrimp quickly cooked in garlic, butter, lemon, olive oil and a little salt. They cook in minutes and make a great appetizer or starter to a bigger meal.

lemon shrimp on a plate with a salad.
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp

*Originally posted on March 19th, 2016. Edited to current date with updated photos, tips for the recipe as well as other cooking methods.


What Makes This A Great Recipe

  • Delicious – most importantly, they taste great and you’ll want to serve them all the time.
  • Healthy – shrimp are high in protien and this recipe uses all natural from scratch ingredients to make it
  • Quick and easy – honestly, this recipe is so quick. You an have it prepped in under 10 minutes and it cooks in just over 6 minutes.
a pile of zesty lemon shrimp on a plate.
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp

Ingredients To Make The Sauteed Shrimp

  • 1 lb shrimp raw, peeled and cleaned with tails in tact
  • 3-4 cloves garlic crushed
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 Teaspoon sea salt
  • Small bunch of fresh chopped parsley optional

REMEMBER, The full recipe and instructions is always found at the end of the post in the recipe card.

Ingredients to make zesty lemon shrimp in a skillet.
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp

How To Make the Lemon Shrimp

  • Clean and prepare the shrimpfirst puff off the head. Then remove the shell around the body leaving the tail in tact.
  • Devein the shrimp – by running a sharp knife down the spine and cleaning it out.
  • Cook the shrimp, heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium to high heat. Bring it to a sizzle, about a minute. Add the shrimp and give a quick stir. Try to not let them over lap for more even cooking. Cook until pink and cooked through, about 6 – 8 minutes. Squeeze over lemon juice, add salt and sprinkle with finely chopped parsley if desired.

Can I Use Another cooking Method

  • Broil – You can place the shrimp on a baking sheet and combine all the ingredients (you’ll have to melt the butter). Pour over the shrimp and cook directly under the preheated broiler to 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes.
  • Bake – Place the shrimp on a baking sheet and combine all the ingredients (melt the butter). Pour over the shrimp and cook in the middle of the oven at 375 degrees F for about 10 – 11 minutes.
  • Grill/Barbecue – Combine all the ingredients in a bowl (with melted butter). Place the shrimp on skewers and grill/barbecue for about 8 minutes, rotating half way through cooking.
  • Air Fryer– Again, toss all the ingredients together in a bowl (with melted butter. Place in your air fryer for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp on a plate with lemon wedges.
Sauteed Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Quick Guide to Buying Shrimp

  • Buy the ones that are raw and still in their shells.  Fresh is best, but I know that isn’t always possible. 
  • The frozen kind are fine as well, but don’t buy the prepared ones that are already cleaned and shelled.  They are pumped up with water and pretty much have no flavour. 
Lemon shrmip on a plate and in a skillet.
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp

What To Serve with The Shrimp

close up of lemon shrimp with a salad
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I marinade the Shrimp?

You an marinade the shmimp in lemon juice and garlic. Keep in mind not to do this any longer than 30 minutes. The acid in the lemon juice will start to break down the fibers of the shrimp.

Does lemon juice cook shrimp?

The citric acid in lime or lemon juice denatures the proteins in seafood, which make it look as though it’s cooked. The acidic marinade won’t kill bacteria, unlike cooking with heat

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes, no problem. Just make sure they are defrosted completely before using. You can defrost them in the fridge for overnight. Or alternatively in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes.

What Kind of Skillet Should I Use?

I like using a cast iron skillet for cooking shrimp, but a non stick skillet will work perfectly fine as well.

Can I reheat Leftovers?

No, these do not reheat well. I recommend making them as you are about so serve them. Reheating them will dry them out and make them rubbery.


Get the recipe!


a pile of zesty lemon shrimp on a plate.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp

These Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp have become an absolute favourite of mine. Large shrimp quickly cooked in garlic, butter, lemon, olive oil and a little salt. They cook in minutes and make a great appetizer or starter to a bigger meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Total Time16 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean, North American
Keyword: lemons, shrimp, skillet
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 198kcal
Author: Julia Pinney

Ingredients

  • 1 lb shrimp raw, peeled and cleaned with tails in tact
  • 3-4 cloves garlic crushed
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 Teaspoon sea salt
  • Small bunch of fresh chopped parsley optional

Instructions

  • Peel, clean and devein the shrimp. Pat dry and set aside.
  • Zest and juice the lemon and crush the garlic.
  • Heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet until sizzling, about a minute. Add the shrimp and make sure they don't over lap. Cook for about 4 – 6 minutes until completely cooked through and pink.
  • Squeeze over lemon juice, zest and sprinkle with salt.
  • Remove from skillet and serve with extra lemon wedges and s sprinkling of parsley if desired. Serve immediately

*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Nutrition Facts
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 198 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 301mg100%
Sodium 1513mg66%
Potassium 102mg3%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 175IU4%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 171mg17%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Thanks For Stopping By & Hope To See You Soon!

By on February 2nd, 2022
Photo of author

About Julia Pinney

More Posts by this author.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.