Imagine transforming ordinary shrimp into a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds! This Light Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe is your ticket to a quick, elegant meal that looks like it came straight from a gourmet kitchen but takes less time to prepare than ordering takeout. With its perfect balance of zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and succulent shrimp, this dish is about to become your new go-to recipe for impressive yet effortless dining.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they will sear properly and not release excess moisture during cooking.
- Season the shrimp evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides, ensuring consistent flavor distribution.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering but not smoking.
- Add minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté quickly for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release its aromatic flavors.
- Carefully add the seasoned shrimp to the pan in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow proper caramelization.
- Cook the shrimp for approximately 2-3 minutes on the first side until they turn pink and develop a light golden color.
- Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on the other side until they are fully opaque and cooked through.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, allowing the citrus to deglaze the pan and add brightness to the dish.
- Remove the pan from heat and transfer the shrimp to a serving platter.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and a fresh herbal note.
- Serve immediately while hot, optionally accompanied by rice, pasta, or a light salad.
Tips
- Dry Shrimp is Key: Always pat your shrimp completely dry before cooking. Excess moisture prevents that beautiful golden sear and can make your shrimp steam instead of caramelize.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Give your shrimp breathing room! Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of searing, which means less flavor and less appealing texture.
- Watch the Cooking Time: Shrimp cook incredibly fast. The moment they turn pink and opaque, they're done. Overcooking will result in rubbery, tough shrimp.
- Fresh is Best: While frozen shrimp work, fresh shrimp will give you the most incredible flavor and texture.
- Customize Your Flavor: Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or swap parsley for fresh basil to make the recipe your own.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 24g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 200mg
