Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp
There’s a deep, unspoken magic in unwrapping a stick of butter and unapologetically tossing the entire thing into a hot saucepan. It’s a moment that transcends cooking and borders on therapy—a glorious rebellion against every diet plan, calorie counter, and well-meaning food blog that’s ever dared to suggest you measure butter in tablespoons. And when that sizzling golden pool starts bubbling up around a pound of shrimp? You know you’re about to be blessed. This Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp recipe is the definition of indulgent-meets-intentional—flavor-first cooking with macro-friendly receipts to prove it.
Now let’s talk flavor. The garlic hits first—fragrant, punchy, and unapologetically bold—followed by zesty lemon and rich, savory butter that coats every bite like it’s giving your taste buds a hug. The shrimp cook fast, staying juicy and plump, while that sauce reduces into something so good, you’ll want to drink it with a spoon. And don’t even get me started on how well this reheats. We’re talking buttery perfection in every bite, day after day.
So, my friend, today we measure butter by the stick, and let me tell you, it feels like freedom.
Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Shrimp & Sauce:
- 2 lbs raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 1 cluster garlic
- 5 medium lemons
- 1/2 tbsp pepper
- 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Jasmine Rice
For the Asparagus:
- 1 pound asparagus
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Begin cooking rice, following your preferred method. I love my rice cooker!1 cup Jasmine Rice
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Trim your asparagus, then spread in a single layer on one of the baking sheets.1 pound asparagus
- Season asparagus with seasoned salt, pepper, & garlic powder1 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp seasoned salt, 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- Throw the asparagus into the oven. It'll take slightly longer to roast than your shrimp (20-25 minutes). Remove from oven once until tender and lightly browned at the tips.
- While asparagus is roasting, throw your stick of butter in a hot sauce pan over low heat. Add the garlic & sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Juice 3 lemons & stir into the garlic butter mixture.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cluster garlic, 5 medium lemons
- Arrange shrimp in a 9×13 glass baking dish. Pour the garlic lemon butter mixture over the shrimp & season with pepper & red pepper flakes. Toss to coat evenly.2 lbs raw shrimp, 1/2 tbsp pepper, 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- Once the asparagus has been roasting for about 5 minutes, place the shrimp in the oven on the second rack.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through.
- Remove both the shrimp and asparagus from the oven.
- Separate the shrimp & asparagus into 4 separate dishes, drizzled with any extra lemon butter from the shrimp pan. Be sure to garnish each serving with 2 lemon wedges for some extra zest!
Nutrition
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Why You’ll Love This Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp
Light, bright, and buttery in all the right ways, this Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp is the weeknight dinner that makes meal prep feel fancy.
We’re talking two pounds of shrimp roasted in a golden garlic lemon butter sauce, served alongside roasted asparagus and fluffy jasmine rice. The combo brings zesty brightness, richness, and a kick of spice from red pepper flakes—all while delivering 39g of protein and only 587 calories per serving.
You don’t need hours in the kitchen to eat well. This one is proof.
Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
Shrimp Swaps
Try scallops, cod, or even chicken breast for a twist on the same flavor profile.
Want It Creamier?
Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk into the garlic lemon butter for a silky sauce.
Low-Sodium Version
Use unsalted butter and cut the seasoned salt or use a salt-free blend on the asparagus.
Add Extra Veggies
Roast bell peppers or zucchini alongside the asparagus for more color, fiber, and volume.
Swap the Carb
Use cauliflower rice or quinoa to fit different macro targets.
Expert Tips for Perfect Shrimp
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
Once they curl into a loose C and turn pink, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp go rubbery fast.
Use Fresh Garlic
It makes a difference! Pre-minced stuff can turn bitter in butter-based sauces.
Layer the Lemon
Use both lemon juice and lemon wedges for layered citrus flavor. A quick zest before serving adds even more punch.
Stagger the Oven
Start your asparagus first since it takes longer than shrimp—perfect timing is key.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
Storage
Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep the lemon wedges separate for maximum freshness.
Reheating
Reheat shrimp gently on the stovetop or microwave in short bursts with a splash of water or extra butter.
What to Serve With
This meal is complete on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a light cucumber salad or sliced avocado for bonus fats.
Garnish Ideas
- Lemon wedges or zest
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Cracked black pepper
- A sprinkle of parmesan (yes, even with shrimp)
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Just thaw and pat dry before roasting to avoid extra water in the pan.
Can I meal prep this?
Definitely. Just don’t overcook the shrimp during prep, and reheat gently to keep them tender.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh is way better, but in a pinch, bottled lemon juice can work. Add lemon zest to boost flavor.
Is this spicy?
It has a subtle kick from red pepper flakes, but it’s very adjustable. Add more or less depending on your heat tolerance.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Absolutely—just sub olive oil or a plant-based butter in the sauce.
6 Other High-Protein Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love
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Whether you’re searching for shrimp meal prep ideas, quick seafood dinners, or macro-balanced lunches that reheat like a dream, this list has you covered. From spicy bowls to garlic pastas to Mediterranean-style pairings, these shrimp meals are built for performance, flavor, and serious nutrition. Perfect for cutting phases, light bulks, or low-fat meal planning.
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And as always, if you made it all the way down here and still haven’t found your perfect macro-packed meal, you can explore my full recipe catalogue—over 60+ free high-protein meal prep recipes—linked right here.
The blueprint to high-protein meal prep
Want to see how I structure high-protein meal prep recipes like this to hit real fitness goals—whether you’re cutting, bulking, or just trying to stay lean? Check out my full meal prep strategy here to learn how I use macro-friendly meals to stay consistent all week long.