10-Minute Garlic Shrimp
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jan. 23, 2024
This 10-minute Garlic Shrimp recipe comes together fast and easy, making it a game-changer for busy weeknights. It’s a wonderfully light and flavorful dish that’s quick and easy but doesn’t compromise on flavor!
In This Article
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out
If you’re looking for a quick yet flavorful dish, our 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp recipe is your answer. The tender shrimp cooked in a garlicky sauce is not just easy to make but also incredibly delicious. Here’s why we love this recipe:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes only 10 minutes from start to finish, making it the perfect option on busy weeknights or when you have unexpected guests.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll be surprised at how much flavor simple ingredients can create in a dish. It reminds us of our 15-minute Shrimp Scampi.
- Flavor: The combination of garlic, shrimp, and Shaoxing wine creates a burst of flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Friends and Family: This quick and delicious dish is the perfect recipe for parties and gatherings.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Garlic – It infuses the shrimp with a robust, aromatic flavor that is simply irresistible.
- Extra-Large Shrimp – Shrimp are the star of this dish, and we show you how to cook them perfectly so that they’re tender and juicy.
- Shaoxing Cooking Wine or Dry Sherry – It’s used to deglaze the pan, adding a subtle depth of flavor to the shrimp that sets it apart from the rest.
Substitutions And Variations
This quick and simple 10-minute garlic shrimp recipe is packed with flavor and tastes incredible, but here are a few ideas to change up the flavors to your preferences:
- Spices: This dish tastes absolutely delicious as is, but you can add your favorite spices to it to make this recipe your own.
- Acidity: To make the flavors pop even more, add a splash of lemon juice before serving. You can also make and pour some extra lemon butter sauce on top before serving, as we do for our Pan Seared Halibut recipe.
- Garnish: We love the fresh flavor of scallions, chives, cilantro, or parsley, but feel free to experiment with other herbs or even lemon zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
Super Easy Instructions
- Heat oil or butter in a skillet and saute garlic by constantly stirring so it does not burn.
- Add shrimp and stir until it turns opaque. Then add cooking wine and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
This 10-minute garlic shrimp recipe is already easy to make, but we have some additional tips to make it even more effortless:
- Prep the Garlic: You can slice or mince the garlic cloves ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This will save you some time when you’re ready to cook.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Peel, devein, and towel-dry the shrimp in advance. You can then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. This way, when you’re ready to cook, the shrimp are ready to go into the skillet.
What To Serve With Garlic Shrimp
Rice and Noodles
- This garlic shrimp is phenomenal over buttered noodles or rice.
- Try it with a side of fluffy Jasmine rice or even a hearty brown rice for a healthy twist.
- We also love pairing this shrimp with Quinoa or couscous. These grains absorb the garlic flavor beautifully, making every bite a treat.
Vegetables
- Some roasted vegetables, grilled zucchini, or even some baked sweet potato fries will taste great along with this delicious shrimp recipe.
- A fresh, crunchy salad goes well with garlic shrimp as well. Try this vibrant Greek Salad or a classic Caesar Salad.
Bread
- Garlic shrimp pairs wonderfully with a slice of crusty bread. We recommend trying it with garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks.
Potatoes
- Potatoes are a versatile side that work well with garlic shrimp. Try it with these creamy Mashed Potatoes or these crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes.
Commonly Asked Questions
What kind of shrimp should I use?
We recommend using extra-large shrimp for this recipe. Make sure they are peeled, deveined, and towel-dried to remove excess moisture before cooking.
What can I substitute for Shaoxing cooking wine?
If you don’t have Shaoxing cooking wine, you can substitute it with dry sherry. It will give a similar flavor to your dish.
How long does garlic shrimp keep?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
10-Minute Garlic Shrimp
This 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp is fast, easy, and healthy. Just what any busy weeknight wants. Serve it over buttered noodles for a succulent dinner everyone devours!
Ingredients
- 3 TB olive oil, or butter
- 8 whole garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
- 20 extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined, towel-dried to remove excess moisture
- 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine, or dry sherry
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- Optional: scallions, chives, cilantro, or parsley, freshly chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, heat oil/butter until just hot. Add garlic and constantly stir for 1 minute; keep stirring, as garlic burns easily.
- Add shrimp and stir just until shrimp turn opaque, 2 minutes or so. Add cooking wine, salt, and pepper, tossing 1 more minute. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
- Always remember to towel-dry your shrimp before cooking. This step is crucial to prevent the shrimp from steaming instead of sauté, which can affect the texture and flavor of your dish.
- Use a large, heavy skillet for this recipe. It distributes heat evenly and prevents the garlic and shrimp from burning.
- When heating your oil or butter, make sure it’s just hot, not smoking. This will allow the garlic to cook properly without burning.
- Keep a close eye on your garlic. It can burn easily, so constant stirring is key. Burned garlic can give your dish a bitter flavor.
- Don’t overcook your shrimp. As soon as they turn opaque, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery and lose their sweet flavor.
- Don’t forget to season your shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. These simple seasonings can make a big difference and balance out the flavors.
- Garnish your dish with freshly chopped herbs like scallions, chives, cilantro, or parsley and serve it with some buttered noodles or rice.
- We don’t use soy sauce or any other store-bought sauce that contains sodium, as raw shrimp typically tastes somewhat salty on its own.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.3g | Protein: 29.4g | Fat: 14.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Cholesterol: 228.1mg | Sodium: 210.1mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.4g
More To Cook And Eat
- Garlic Marinated Ribeye Steaks – These Marinated Ribeye Steaks boast huge flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- Garlicky Tomato Mussels – Packed with flavor and nutrients, these Healthy Mussels with Garlic and Tomatoes are the perfect appetizer or light dinner for your summer.
- Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken – This Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken is incredibly easy and succulent. It’s a simple weeknight meal, yet delicious enough for the weekend.
- Roasted Garlic Hummus – This Roasted Garlic Hummus recipe is a delicious twist on a classic favorite. The roasted garlic adds a depth of flavor that takes this hummus to a whole new level.