Garlic Butter Shrimp And Vegetables Recipe

Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp and Vegetables Recipe for Dinner Joy

Succulent shrimp dance with vibrant vegetables in this mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp and vegetables recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

The golden, sizzling skillet captures a perfect medley of flavors and textures.

Fragrant garlic weaves its magic through tender, plump shrimp and crisp, colorful vegetables.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of buttery richness and fresh ingredients.

Simple yet elegant, this dish transforms ordinary weeknight cooking into a culinary adventure.

The recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking delicious meals.

Ingredients for Shrimp and Veggie Skillet

Main Ingredients:
  • Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the protein base of the dish.
  • Zucchini: A tender green vegetable that adds texture and nutrition.
  • Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetable that provides crunch and sweetness.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Small, juicy tomatoes that bring brightness to the recipe.
Cooking Fats and Seasonings:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Essential fats that create a rich and flavorful base for cooking.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and intense flavor to the dish.
  • Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Spices that enhance the overall taste profile and provide warmth and seasoning.
Fresh Finishing Ingredients:
  • Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that adds freshness and balance to the dish.
  • Fresh Parsley: Herb that provides a pop of color and fresh herbal notes for garnish.

Cooking Shrimp and Vegetables with Garlic Butter

Step 1: Prep the Pan

Grab a large skillet and warm olive oil over medium heat, creating a perfect cooking surface for your delicious meal.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Medley

Toss in the vibrant vegetables and cook them until they’re just tender:
  • Zucchini
  • Bell peppers

Gently move them around the pan for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to develop a light golden color.

Step 3: Add Cherry Tomatoes

Introduce cherry tomatoes to the vegetable mix and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Transfer the entire vegetable blend to a separate plate, keeping them warm and ready.

Step 4: Create Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Swirl the ingredients together, letting the garlic release its aromatic flavors until fragrant.

Step 5: Cook Succulent Shrimp

Add shrimp to the garlic butter and season with:
  • Paprika
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn a beautiful pink color.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Return the reserved vegetables to the skillet and drizzle fresh lemon juice over everything.

Stir gently to blend all the flavors together.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and serve the dish piping hot, ready to delight your taste buds.

Tips for Shrimp and Veggie Dinners

  • Sauté veggies briefly to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant colors, preventing them from becoming mushy.
  • Watch shrimp carefully and cook just until they turn pink to ensure tender, juicy results without becoming rubbery.
  • Use the same pan for vegetables and shrimp to capture and build delicious browned bits and maximize flavor development.
  • Adjust spice levels by controlling red pepper flakes and paprika to suit personal heat preferences without overwhelming the dish.
  • Sprinkle chopped parsley just before serving to add brightness, freshness, and a pop of color to the final presentation.

Shrimp Vegetable Skillet Variations

  • Mediterranean Seafood Skillet: Replace shrimp with white fish like cod or halibut, keeping the same cooking method and seasonings for a lighter protein option.
  • Vegetarian Garden Sauté: Swap shrimp with firm tofu or chickpeas, maintaining the garlic butter sauce and vegetable medley for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Carb Keto Version: Use cauliflower instead of zucchini and bell peppers, ensuring the dish remains low-carb while preserving the rich garlic butter flavor profile.
  • Spicy Asian-Inspired Remix: Add ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the garlic butter sauce, transforming the recipe with an exciting East Asian flavor palette.

Serving Shrimp and Vegetable Skillets

  • Rustic Mediterranean Platter: Arrange the shrimp and vegetables on a large wooden board with crusty bread slices for dipping into the garlic butter sauce.
  • Protein-Packed Bowl: Layer the dish over quinoa or brown rice, creating a nutritious meal with balanced flavors and textures.
  • Fresh Salad Topper: Serve the warm shrimp and vegetables over a bed of mixed greens, allowing the heat to slightly wilt the greens and enhance the overall taste.
  • Appetizer Style: Present as small tapas-style portions in mini cast-iron skillets or small ceramic dishes for elegant party serving.

Storage Solutions for Shrimp and Veggies

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep shrimp and vegetables separate to maintain texture.
  • Warm in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
  • Quickly reheat in a pan over medium-low heat with a small amount of butter or olive oil. Stir gently to prevent overcooking shrimp.
  • Do not freeze this dish, as shrimp and vegetables lose quality and become watery when thawed, compromising taste and texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure proper searing and prevent excess moisture.

  • What if I don't have fresh parsley?

You can substitute with dried parsley or skip it altogether; the dish will still taste delicious.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can reduce or omit them for a less spicy version.

  • How can I make this dish more filling?

Serve the shrimp and vegetables over rice, quinoa, or pasta to create a more substantial meal.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Vegetables Highlights

  • Quick and Simple Cooking: Whip up a delicious meal in less than half an hour with minimal prep work and basic kitchen skills.
  • Nutrient-Packed Delight: Packed with colorful vegetables and protein-rich shrimp, this dish offers a balanced and wholesome eating experience.
  • Flavor Explosion: Zesty garlic butter combined with paprika and red pepper flakes creates a mouthwatering taste that will tantalize your taste buds.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this streamlined recipe that uses a single pan for cooking everything, making meal preparation a breeze.
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Garlic Butter Shrimp And Vegetables Recipe

Garlic Butter Shrimp And Vegetables Recipe


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4.6 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Garlic butter shrimp and vegetables bring Mediterranean coastal charm to dinner tables with zesty, aromatic magic. Fresh shrimp dance among colorful vegetables, creating a quick, satisfying meal where you’ll savor each delicious, herb-infused bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Vegetables:

  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, drizzling olive oil across the surface.
  2. Introduce zucchini and bell peppers into the heated pan, gently moving them around for 3-4 minutes until they develop a slight tenderness and golden edges.
  3. Cascade cherry tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their juices for approximately 2 minutes, then transfer the vibrant vegetable medley to a separate plate.
  4. Using the same pan, melt butter until it becomes golden and foamy, then introduce minced garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release its aromatic essence.
  5. Carefully place shrimp into the fragrant butter, sprinkling paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper across their surface. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they transform into a delicate pink hue.
  6. Reunite the previously set aside vegetables with the succulent shrimp, gently squeezing fresh lemon juice over the entire mixture to brighten the flavors and create a harmonious blend.
  7. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the dish for a final burst of color and herbaceous notes, then serve immediately while the ingredients remain warm and inviting.

Notes

  • Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture in this quick one-pan meal.
  • Avoid overcooking shrimp by watching for their color change to pink and slight curl, which indicates they’re perfectly done.
  • Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes to suit different heat preferences and dietary needs.
  • Use gluten-free alternatives like tamari instead of butter for those with dairy sensitivities, maintaining the recipe’s rich, savory profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 171 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 290 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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