If you love a dish that’s bursting with bright, zesty flavors and cooked to tender perfection, you are going to adore this Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of succulent shrimp bathed in a luscious buttery, garlicky sauce, with just the right hint of red pepper for a gentle kick. This recipe is just as easy as it is impressive, perfect for a weeknight meal or when you want to wow guests without the fuss. Get ready for a dish that’s fresh, flavorful, and downright addictive!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe is how simple and approachable the ingredients are, yet each one plays a vital role. From the creamy butter enhancing richness to the garlic infusing deep aromatics, every element adds a layer of flavor that makes this dish shine. Fresh lemon juice brightens it up, while herbs add that final pop of color and freshness.
- Butter (¼ cup): Provides the rich, silky base that helps meld all the flavors together.
- Red pepper flakes (¼ tsp): Adds just the right amount of subtle heat to keep things exciting.
- Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Brings incredible aroma and depth, a must for any shrimp dish.
- Medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined (1½ lbs): The star ingredient that absorbs all the wonderful flavors.
- Salt (1 tsp): Enhances all the natural tastes and balances the dish perfectly.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 Tbsp): Offers a bright, zesty contrast that lifts the butter and garlic.
- Chopped fresh herbs (¼ cup): Parsley, cilantro, chives, or green onion add a fresh, colorful finish.
How to Make Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Butter
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the butter and lay it in an even layer inside a 9×11-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes and minced garlic over the butter. Pop the dish into the oven while it comes up to temperature so the butter melts and the garlic begins to infuse that rich flavor base.
Step 2: Stir the Butter Mixture
Once the butter has melted, pull out the dish and stir everything around so the garlic and red pepper flakes get evenly distributed. Leave it back in the oven for another couple of minutes to make sure those flavors start to marry beautifully.
Step 3: Add the Shrimp and Season
Take the baking dish out and add in your shrimp. Sprinkle them with salt, then stir and flip the shrimp for at least 30 seconds, making sure each piece is luxuriously coated in the garlicky butter. This step guarantees the shrimp soak up every bit of flavor while it bakes.
Step 4: Bake Until Perfect
Return the dish to the oven and bake just long enough for the shrimp to curl up, turn pink, and become opaque. This usually takes around 10 to 12 minutes. Halfway through, give them a gentle stir to ensure even cooking and coating.
Step 5: Finish with Lemon and Herbs
Remove the shrimp from the oven and immediately stir in the fresh lemon juice. Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter without delay so they stop cooking in the hot baking dish. Don’t forget to scrape all that buttery sauce from the dish onto the shrimp for maximum flavor.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Now sprinkle your choice of fresh herbs generously over the shrimp. This not only adds a beautiful splash of green but brings a fresh, herbaceous note that perfectly complements the richness of the dish.
How to Serve Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions really enhances the dish visually and adds a fresh burst of flavor on your palate. If you like a bit of crunch, toasted breadcrumbs or slivered almonds work wonderfully, too!
Side Dishes
This shrimp pairs fabulously with simple sides like fluffy rice, buttery garlic bread, or even a crisp green salad. For a low-carb option, serve it with sautéed veggies or zoodles for a complete, balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress? Serve your Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe atop creamy mashed potatoes or buttery polenta. You could also fill soft pita pockets with the shrimp and sauce for a fun twist or add it as a topping to fresh pasta for an elegant dinner that feels special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. Because the shrimp cook quickly, they’re best enjoyed fresh but will still taste great the next day.
Freezing
While shrimp don’t freeze as well after cooking without losing some texture, you can freeze any extra uncooked shrimp separately. Cooked shrimp from this recipe are best eaten fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to keep the shrimp tender and avoid drying them out. Adding a splash of water or a little bit of butter while warming helps keep the garlicky sauce luscious and fresh.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely, pat them dry, and remove any excess moisture before cooking to get the best texture and flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe spicier?
Yes! You can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a bolder heat. Just be cautious to keep it balanced with the bright lemon and buttery richness.
Can I substitute the butter with olive oil?
You sure can. Olive oil will give the dish a different but delicious flavor profile, making it slightly lighter. Just use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?
The shrimp should be pink and opaque with a slight curl. Overcooking can make the shrimp rubbery, so keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to ensure tenderness.
What herbs work best for topping the shrimp?
Parsley, cilantro, chives, and green onions all work beautifully. Feel free to mix and match or use what’s freshest and most fragrant in your kitchen.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe is one of those dishes you’ll want to make over and over because it’s fast, flavorful, and fits almost any occasion. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special dinner, these shrimp bring vibrant lemony freshness and comforting buttery garlic goodness that’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Give it a go—you might just have a new favorite shrimp recipe to add to your repertoire!
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Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful seafood dish, perfect for a light weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer. The shrimp are baked in a rich mixture of butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes, then brightened with fresh lemon juice and herbs for a delicious, zesty finish.
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ lbs medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, chives, or green onion
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare butter base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Slice the butter and arrange it evenly in a single layer in a 9×11-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes and minced garlic over the butter. Place the baking dish in the oven while it finishes preheating to gently melt the butter and release the garlic aroma.
- Melt and stir butter: Once the butter has melted, carefully stir the mixture to combine the garlic and red pepper flakes evenly in the butter. Leave the dish in the oven for an additional 2 minutes to infuse flavors further.
- Add shrimp and season: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the buttery mixture. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and stir them gently for at least 30 seconds, flipping to coat each piece thoroughly in the flavored butter.
- Bake the shrimp: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake until the shrimp curl up and turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through; this will take approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Stir once halfway through baking to ensure even cooking and coating.
- Finish with lemon juice: Remove the baking dish from the oven and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Immediately transfer the shrimp onto a serving platter so they do not overcook in the residual heat of the dish. Scrape any remaining buttery sauce from the baking dish onto the shrimp.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh herbs of your choice (parsley, cilantro, chives, or green onion) over the shrimp. Serve immediately, enjoying the vibrant flavors and tender texture.
Notes
- You can use any fresh herbs you prefer for garnish, such as parsley, cilantro, chives, or green onions, depending on your flavor preference.
- Ensure shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before baking to avoid excess moisture in the baking dish.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes slightly.
- Serve with crusty bread, over pasta, or with a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Do not overcook the shrimp as they will become rubbery; remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
