Welcome to the ultimate Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe that will revolutionize your weeknight dinners. If you’re searching for a dish that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant but takes less than 20 minutes to prepare, you’ve found it. This recipe features plump, juicy shrimp enveloped in a rich, velvety garlic sauce that is simply irresistible. It’s the perfect solution for busy home cooks who crave delicious, impressive meals without the fuss. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation.
Ready to be served over your favorite pasta or rice.
Why This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe is a Must-Try
In a world of complicated recipes, this one stands out for its elegant simplicity and incredible flavor. It’s designed for the enthusiastic home cook who wants maximum impact with minimal effort.
Unbelievably Fast: From pantry to plate in under 20 minutes, this is the perfect meal for hectic evenings.
Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The combination of fresh garlic, rich cream, and a hint of spice creates a sauce so good you’ll want to lick the pan clean.
Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You likely have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already. No fancy shopping trips required!
Incredibly Versatile: This creamy garlic shrimp is fantastic on its own, but also pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for dipping.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Sauce
The magic of this dish lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Using fresh, high-quality components is key to achieving the best flavor.
Shrimp: Large, peeled, and deveined shrimp are ideal. You can use fresh or frozen; just be sure to thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable. It’s the star of the show and provides the aromatic backbone of the sauce.
Heavy Cream: This creates the luxurious, creamy texture. For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce won’t be as rich.
Butter & Olive Oil: Using both gives you the rich flavor of butter with the higher smoke point of olive oil, perfect for searing the shrimp.
White Wine (Optional): A splash of dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio deglazes the pan and adds a wonderful depth of flavor. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, you can substitute with chicken broth.
Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick is all you need.
Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, clean flavor that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
Look at that incredible creamy garlic sauce!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Creamy Garlic Shrimp you’ve ever had. Preparation is key, so have all your ingredients ready before you start cooking.
Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the thawed shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting a good sear. Season them generously with salt and pepper.
Sear the Shrimp: Heat olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and just opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Create the Sauce: If using, pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until it has reduced slightly. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Combine and Finish: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, until it has thickened slightly. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Let it heat through for about a minute. Stir in the fresh parsley, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
Tips for Success: Secrets to the Creamiest Sauce
Even simple recipes have little tricks that take them from good to great. For an amazing Creamy Garlic Shrimp, keep these tips in mind.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. The best way to ensure they stay tender is to sear them briefly, remove them from the pan, and then reintroduce them to the sauce at the very end just to warm through.
Use Real Cream: For the richest, most stable sauce, heavy cream is the best choice. It’s less likely to curdle than milk or half-and-half.
Let the Sauce Thicken: Give the cream sauce a few minutes to simmer gently. This allows it to reduce and thicken naturally into a velvety coating. If you’re in a hurry, you could try our White Garlic Pizza Sauce recipe as a base.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for other flavors. Here are a few ideas:
Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp: Add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach to the sauce for a Tuscan twist.
Spicy Cajun Shrimp: Mix in a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning with the salt and pepper for a spicy kick. For more Cajun flavor, check out this Creamy Cajun Chicken.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice along with the parsley at the end for a bright, zesty finish.
What to Serve with Creamy Garlic Shrimp
This versatile dish pairs well with many sides. You’ll want something to soak up every last drop of that incredible garlic cream sauce.
Pasta: Serve over linguine, fettuccine, or penne for a classic and satisfying meal. If you love creamy pasta dishes, you’ll also enjoy this Creamy Chicken Penne.
Rice: Spoon the shrimp and sauce over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice.
Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette is perfect for dipping into the sauce.
Zoodles: For a low-carb option, serve with zucchini noodles.
Roasted Vegetables: A side of Crispy Roasted Cauliflower or steamed asparagus complements the rich sauce beautifully.
The key is to not overcook them. Sear the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until they are just pink and opaque. Remove them from the pan while you make the sauce, and only add them back at the very end to warm through.
Yes, absolutely. Just make sure the frozen shrimp are fully thawed before you start. Most importantly, pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure you get a good sear, which locks in flavor.
For the richest sauce, heavy cream is best. However, you can substitute it with half-and-half or evaporated milk. The sauce may be slightly thinner and you’ll need to be careful not to boil it to prevent curdling.
The sauce will thicken naturally as it simmers. If you want it even thicker, you can let it reduce for a few more minutes over low heat. Alternatively, you can create a small slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 2 teaspoons of cold water, then whisk it into the sauce and simmer until thickened.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While this Creamy Garlic Shrimp is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can make the shrimp tough and cause the cream sauce to separate.
Enjoy Your New Favorite Shrimp Dish!
We’re confident this Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s the perfect combination of elegance, simplicity, and mouthwatering flavor. If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest and tag us. Happy cooking!
You won't believe how easy it is to make this restaurant-quality Creamy Garlic Shrimp at home!
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe
FL Recipes
Creamy Garlic Shrimp (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution! Juicy shrimp are tossed in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce and ready in just 20 minutes. It's an easy, restaurant-quality meal perfect for any occasion.
Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tbsp of butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
Pour in the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up any bits from the bottom. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing to coat. Stir in the fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcalProtein: 25gFat: 38gFiber: 1g
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp: For the most tender shrimp, cook them just until they turn pink and opaque. Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor for the sauce. Serving Suggestions: Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
