Garlic Shrimp
on Jan 21, 2021
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This easy Garlic shrimp is a savory skillet dish packed with all the right flavors.
I love a meal that is simple, but a total crowd pleaser. Garlic shrimp is quick to whip up, making it perfect on busy weeknights. It has a hint of spice and goes great with simple sides like rice and steamed vegetables.
Table of Contents
Garlic Shrimp
I know it is easy to get into a rut of dinner making. Sometimes I get trapped in the cycle of repeated recipes. If that sounds familiar- cue shrimp! Incorporating shrimp into a meal feels exciting and different. My family devours anything with shrimp and it helps break the dinner monotony.
You can make garlic shrimp as fancy or simple as you would like. You can make it as a quick appetizer or a simple dinner served with rice, noodles, or veggies. Either way, it’ll be on the table in about 15 minutes.
What type of shrimp should I buy?
I recommend buying large shrimp for this recipe. I like to buy my shrimp peeled and deveined but with the tail on to make the process quick.
Is eating shrimp healthy?
Eating shrimp is beneficial to your health. They are a great source of protein but also low in calories. Shrimp contain healthy vitamins that will promote heart health and boost energy too.
How long does it take to cook shrimp?
Shrimp cook very fast. They only need about 2-3 minutes. You will know when they are cooked because they turn pinkish in color and look opaque.
This recipe is from my friend Mary Younkin’s cookbook, The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook and it’s a book I go to again and again! The recipes are divided up into 15 minute, 30 minute, and 45 minute meals and I think that’s such a smart way to do it! They are quick, fresh, easy meals my family always loves. You can snag her cookbooks here. And you can find Mary at Barefeet in the Kitchen. She’s a great cook and a dear friend.
More easy dinner recipes:
Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound large, raw, deveined shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the marinade:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp, lay them out on a paper-towel lined tray, and pat them dry. Remove the shells, if desired.
- For the marinade, stir together the marinade ingredients. Place the shrimp and marinade in a resealable bag. Remove excess air, seal the bag, and toss shrimp around in the bag to coat them. Let shrimp rest for 15 minutes.
Stove Top Directions:
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic when the pan is hot. Sauté the garlic for 1 minute. Sprinkle in sugar and sauté for about 30 seconds more. Add marinated shrimp to the pan. Spread the shrimp out into a single layer across the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the shrimp over and cook for an additional 1 or 2 minutes until they’re pink. Increase the heat to high for 1 minute to reduce liquid. Remove from the pan when shrimp is finished cooking.
Grill Directions:
- While the shrimp are marinating, soak 6 to 8 wooden skewers in water. When you’re almost ready to grill, thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Heat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates to prevent shrimp from sticking. Place the kabobs on the grill and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once or twice, until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
Notes
- Feel free to double this recipe, it’s an easy one to scale up.
Nutrition
Garlic shrimp is a simple, healthy meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. I know you will love this paired with rice, noodles or your favorite vegetables.
