If you’re looking for a dinner that tastes like a five-star meal but comes together in just 15 minutes, Creamy Garlic Shrimp is your new best friend! Plump, juicy shrimp are simmered in a velvety parmesan-garlic sauce that’s downright irresistible—simple, luscious, and perfect for weeknights or when you want to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lightning Fast: This Creamy Garlic Shrimp comes together in just 15 minutes from start to finish—ideal for those busy nights when you need something delicious, STAT.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The rich, garlicky cream sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp taste just like your favorite bistro, but it’s made totally at home.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether served over rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite vegetable, this dish always wins rave reviews at the table.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Impact: Just a handful of pantry staples turn into something unexpectedly luxurious and comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The brilliance of Creamy Garlic Shrimp is that every ingredient serves a bold purpose—each one boosting the comfort factor and flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why each item matters for that dreamy, crave-worthy result.
- Unsalted Butter: This forms the flavorful base of the sauce and helps the shrimp sauté to tender perfection.
- Raw Shrimp (deveined, thawed if frozen): The star of the show! Succulent, sweet, and quick-cooking. Any size works, but jumbo really makes it special.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper: Essentials to highlight the shrimp’s natural brininess and balance the creamy sauce.
- Fresh Garlic (minced): A double-clove punch infuses the whole dish with garlicky goodness—don’t be shy!
- Vegetable Stock or Chicken Stock: Adds savory depth without heaviness. Or swap in a splash of white wine for even more richness.
- Heavy Cream (Double Cream): The key to the sauce’s silkiness and luxurious finish. Don’t substitute with milk for best results.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce for nutty, cheesy flavor and beautiful thickening power. Freshly grated makes all the difference.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley: That final spray of green brings freshness and a restaurant-worthy flourish to every bite.
Variations
One of the joys of Creamy Garlic Shrimp is how easy it is to make your own—just a few small tweaks suit dietary needs, flavor cravings, or whatever you’ve got in the fridge. Let’s get creative!
- Add a Splash of White Wine: Swap 1/4 cup of the stock for white wine when simmering for a little extra depth and restaurant-style aroma.
- Go Dairy-Free: Try coconut cream instead of heavy cream and sub your favorite dairy-free parmesan for a lactose-free treat.
- Make It Spicy: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic if you’re craving a little kick.
- Lemon Twist: Finish with a squirt of fresh lemon juice or some lemon zest for a vibrant, zesty finish.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Step 1: Sauté the Shrimp
Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your shrimp, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until they turn opaque and pink. Be careful not to overcook—they’re done faster than you think! Once cooked, transfer the shrimp to a plate while you build that dreamy sauce.
Step 2: Build the Garlic Cream Sauce
To the same skillet (no need to wash—those golden shrimp bits are flavor!), toss in the minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in your stock and let it bubble and reduce by half, concentrating all that savory goodness. Then, stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens just enough to coat a spoon. Swirl in the parmesan cheese until it melts into silk.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Return your cooked shrimp (and any tasty juices on the plate) back into the pan. Gently toss to coat every shrimp in that luscious garlic cream sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Finish off with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving. That’s it—Creamy Garlic Shrimp perfection!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Shrimp
- Shrimp Selection: For the best texture and flavor, choose raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp—fresh or thawed frozen both work, but avoid pre-cooked shrimp since they’ll turn rubbery.
- Timing Is Everything: Shrimp cook super fast, so have all your ingredients prepped and sides ready before you even start—this dish moves at lightning speed!
- Sauce Consistency: The sauce will thicken more as it cools, so if it seems a bit thin in the skillet, don’t worry—just let it rest for a moment before serving.
- Cheese Matters: Always grate parmesan fresh from a block (not pre-shredded) for that signature melt and unbeatable flavor in your Creamy Garlic Shrimp.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley over your Creamy Garlic Shrimp makes the flavors pop and the whole dish look like it came from a bistro. For even more color, try a dusting of smoked paprika or fresh-cracked black pepper right before serving.
Side Dishes
This luscious shrimp begs for something to soak up that creamy garlic sauce—think fluffy rice, pillowy mashed potatoes, or even polenta. A basket of crusty bread is also a must for swiping up every drop!
Creative Ways to Present
Take Creamy Garlic Shrimp up a notch by serving it over ribbons of fresh pasta for a decadent pasta night, or pile the saucy shrimp on crostini for an appetizer everyone will rave about. For a lighter touch, spoon the shrimp over sautéed spinach or roasted vegetables.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Creamy Garlic Shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best flavor and texture, try to enjoy leftovers sooner rather than later.
Freezing
While you can technically freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate when thawed, and the shrimp can become a bit rubbery. If you do freeze leftovers, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash more cream to bring it back together.
Reheating
Reheat Creamy Garlic Shrimp gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat just until hot. If the sauce is too thick after chilling, a splash of water or more cream will loosen it right up—just avoid boiling so the shrimp stays tender.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for Creamy Garlic Shrimp?
Absolutely! Just thaw your shrimp completely before cooking and pat them dry to avoid extra water in the sauce. Frozen shrimp are a great and convenient choice for this recipe.
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What can I substitute for heavy cream?
Full-fat coconut cream can work in place of heavy cream for a dairy-free version, or you can use half-and-half for a slightly lighter (but less rich) sauce. Avoid using milk, as it won’t yield a thick or creamy texture.
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How do I prevent overcooked shrimp?
Shrimp cook lightning-fast, so keep an eye on them. They’re ready when just opaque and pink—usually 2–3 minutes. Pull them out of the pan as soon as they’re done to avoid chewiness.
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Can I make Creamy Garlic Shrimp ahead of time?
Since shrimp are at their best right after cooking, I recommend making the sauce ahead and adding the shrimp just before serving. Reheated shrimp can be slightly tougher, but a gentle reheat will still taste lovely if you need to prep ahead.
Final Thoughts
Ready to treat yourself to something special tonight? This Creamy Garlic Shrimp is pure weeknight magic—fast, flavorful, and guaranteed to turn any meal into an occasion. Give it a try and let your kitchen fill with that amazing aroma—your taste buds (and everyone at your table) will thank you!
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Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in a luxurious seafood dish with this Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe. Succulent shrimp are bathed in a rich, creamy garlic sauce that is sure to impress your taste buds. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or polenta for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 2 tablespoons (26 g) unsalted butter
- 1 pound (after peeling) (450 g) raw shrimp, deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (43 g) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: In a skillet, melt butter, add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, cook until opaque, then set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic, add stock, simmer, reduce, add cream, thicken, stir in parmesan.
- Combine: Add shrimp back to the skillet, coat with sauce, adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley.
- Serve: Enjoy over rice, mashed potatoes, or polenta.
Notes
- Jumbo shrimp is recommended, but any size will work.
- Consider using wine and stock for added richness.
- Plan side dishes to be ready when the shrimp is cooked.
- Grate parmesan fresh for best flavor.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a saucepan, thinning with water if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 320mg
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