Homemade Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp

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This creamy buttery garlic shrimp is an elevated version of the Spanish tapa “gambas al ajillo” aka “garlic shrimp”. The homemade garlic butter sauce for shrimp is made with the classics – butter, parsley, and garlic. But the secret to its rich flavor and luscious texture is in the deglazing process and of course, the cream.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Buttery Garlic Shrimp

Making butter garlic shrimp is an incredibly easy way to impress your guests (or yourself). It’s so simple, yet mouthwatering good. Perfect for special occasions or when you crave a little decadence in your life.

There are so many ways to serve it! You can make this a pasta dish, pour it over rice, or mashed potatoes for some fulfilling indulgence. Or you can turn it into a delicious low-carb meal with your favorite veggies, greens, or a side salad. 

The sauce is garlicky, buttery, creamy, and cheesy thanks to the parmesan. Parsley adds a touch of freshness and the shrimp are super juicy and tender since we’re careful to not overcook them. 

It comes together in less than 20 minutes and you only need one pan! Cheers to quick and delicious meals with minimum clean-up. I love recipes that make our lives easier.

What You Need For Making Creamy Butter Garlic Shrimp

I’m pretty sure you have most of these items in your pantry (fresh shrimp is best, but thawed works well too). 

Here’s what you need for making creamy buttery garlic shrimp:

For the garlic-marinated shrimp:

  • 1 lb. peeled, deveined shrimp/prawns (large/jumbo work best)
  • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil

Creamy garlic sauce:

  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
  • ¼ cup dry white wine (optional, check notes)
  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or light cream)
  • ½ cup parmesan (2 oz.)
  • 2 Tbsp. parsley, finely chopped

How To Make Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp

To make the shrimp extra garlicky, let them marinate for up to 20 minutes. But if you’re short on time, this dish will still turn out amazing nonetheless.

Step 1: Marinate the prawns

Place prawns, 1 clove of minced garlic, and olive oil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to coat the prawns. 

Don’t add the salt until the end if you choose to let the prawns marinate for up to 20 minutes. Salt them only right before cooking.

Step 2: Cook the prawns

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the prawns and cook for 1 minute per side. Remove them and repeat with the remaining prawns. 

You shouldn’t have to add any extra butter. With a spatula, scrape out any garlic pieces that are stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Make the creamy garlicky sauce

In the same pan, add the other tablespoon of butter and let it melt on medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant (about 30 minutes).

Now add the optional white wine, turn the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Stir and scrape the base of the skillet to dissolve all the golden bits into the sauce. 

Cook the wine until about half has evaporated and the alcohol smell is gone.

Step 4: Create a Flavor-Packed Demi-Glace Sauce

Add the chicken or vegetable broth and simmer until mostly evaporated and just a thin concentrated layer remains. This is our little demi-glace sauce. Where all the flavor is!

Step 5: Indulge in Creamy, Cheesy Goodness

Pour the cream into the pan and simmer on medium heat for 2 minutes until slightly thickened and reduced. Then stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 

Step 6: Reunite Prawns with Luscious Sauce

Add the prawns back into the skillet and mix to coat with sauce. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. 

Step 7: Garnish, Pair & Savor the Delicious Dish

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Check out our Serving Suggestions below. 

Notes & Tips

  • This creamy butter garlic shrimp recipe is low carb and high protein. If you want to make it low-fat, substitute low-fat cream or evaporated milk for the heavy cream. You may need to add a little cornstarch to thicken the sauce. 
  • Make sure to use a good quality dry wine like pinot gris or sauvignon blanc. Don’t use wine that is too fruity like Moscato or too woody like Chardonnay. 
  • The wine is optional but recommended. It adds more depth of flavor to the sauce and is great for deglazing all the delicious bits of browned shrimp. You can also use the broth if you don’t have wine at hand, but the taste will be altered.
  • Grate the parmesan cheese yourself. Store-bought pre-grated cheeses don’t have the same texture and don’t melt well. Your sauce will turn out grainy, and we want that luscious creamy texture. 
  • This recipe calls for 1 pound of ready-to-cook, peeled fresh prawns. If using whole prawns or shrimp, you’ll need about 2.2 lbs. since you lose half in shell and heads. 
  • If you’re using thawed shrimp, leave them overnight in a colander in the fridge, then drain the water, and pat the prawns dry. This will prevent oil from splattering when cooking them, and give you an accurate weight. 
  • You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To heat, the creamy garlic butter shrimp, place them in the microwave on low heat for 2-3 minutes or heat them in a pan on low heat. Add a splash of water if needed. 

Serving Suggestions

I love making this recipe into creamy white wine garlic shrimp pasta by serving it with spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine. If you want to get extra fancy, try making one of these homemade pasta shapes without a machine.

For a heavenly experience, soak up that creamy garlicky sauce with some easy homemade garlic bread. Serve a green salad on the side and you’ve got a delectable and quick dinner or lunch on the table.

Try a low-carb option by serving this homemade garlic butter sauce for shrimp with zucchini noodles or “zoodles”. Cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower with butter, cream, and parmesan is a great idea too. Or you can go for these Mediterranean roasted vegetables.

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 456kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. peeled shrimp/prawns
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter divided
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup parmesan 2 oz.
  • 2 Tbsp. parsley finely chopped

Instructions

  • Place prawns, 1 clove of minced garlic, pepper to taste, and olive oil in a bowl. Toss to coat. You can let marinate. Salt only right before cooking.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet on medium-high. Add half of the prawns and cook for 1 minute per side. Remove and repeat with the other half.
  • With a spatula, scrape out any garlic pieces that stuck to the bottom of the pan.
  • In the same pan, add the other tablespoon of butter and let it melt on medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant (about 30 minutes).
  • Add optional white wine, turn the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Stir and scrape the base of the skillet to dissolve all the golden bits into the sauce.
  • Cook the wine until about half has evaporated and the alcohol smell is gone.
  • Add the broth and simmer until mostly evaporated and a thin concentrated layer remains. This is our little demi-glace sauce. Where all the flavor is!
  • Add cream and simmer on medium heat for 2 minutes until slightly thickened and reduced. Stir in freshly grated parmesan, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Toss prawns back into the skillet and mix to coat with sauce. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, and stir in.
  • Serve over your favorite carb or low-carb side dishes. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 275mg | Sodium: 476mg | Potassium: 441mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1780IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 281mg | Iron: 1mg

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