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Mouthwatering Lemon Garlic Shrimp is the perfect way to spice up a fresh summer salad or serve as a quick and easy appetizer. Juicy shrimp are sautéed with garlic, paprika, and a splash of lemon for the most irresistible flavor combo that’s both zesty and buttery!
There are so many ways to make prawns (or shrimp, depending on where you are), but this lemon garlic shrimp recipe stands out for its simplicity and punchy flavor. Every bite bursts with buttery garlic richness balanced by bright lemon and a hint of smoky paprika — it’s impossible to stop at just one!
What Makes This Recipe Work
This Lemon Garlic Shrimp is a restaurant-worthy dish you can make in minutes. The combination of buttery garlic, smoky paprika, and tangy lemon brings out the natural sweetness of the shrimp, creating that rich and flavorful balance everyone loves. It’s quick to prepare, uses simple pantry staples, and always turns out juicy and perfectly seasoned.
What makes this lemon garlic shrimp recipe truly special is how versatile it is. You can serve it over pasta, toss it into a salad, or enjoy it straight from the pan with crusty bread to soak up that delicious lemon garlic butter shrimp sauce. However you serve it, it’s guaranteed to impress with minimal effort!
What Goes Into Lemon Garlic Shrimp
You only need a handful of simple, fresh ingredients to bring this Lemon Garlic Shrimp to life. Each one plays an important role in creating that bold, buttery, citrusy flavor you’ll want to make again and again.
- Garlic Olive Oil: Infuses the shrimp with a subtle, aromatic base that enhances every bite. Regular olive oil works too — just add extra minced garlic for that punchy flavor.
- Garlic: The star of this dish! Fresh minced garlic gives your shrimp a deep, savory aroma that blends beautifully with lemon and paprika.
- Sweet Paprika: Adds gentle warmth and a gorgeous color without overpowering the dish. It gives your shrimp that subtle smoky edge.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon brightens up the buttery sauce and cuts through the richness, balancing everything perfectly.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and shrimp until everything is well coated. Season with salt to taste and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Heat the Pan: Drizzle the garlic olive oil into a large frying pan or skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Allow it to warm for about 3 minutes until hot and ready for the shrimp.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the marinated shrimp to the pan and sauté until they start to turn pink and slightly golden on the edges, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Finish With Parsley: Lower heat, sprinkle in the parsley, and toss everything together for another 2 minutes until the shrimp are coated. Serve.
Serve your Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice for a light, flavor-packed twist that soaks up the buttery sauce without feeling heavy. For something cozy, pair it with Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes — their creamy layers balance the bright, citrusy shrimp beautifully.
If you’re in the mood for comfort with a bit of flair, try it alongside Caprese Crostini with Grilled Avocado. The fresh mozzarella and tomato add a cool contrast to the garlicky shrimp, making this an elegant yet easy meal you’ll crave all summer long.
Tips For Making Lemon Garlic Shrimp
- Freshly peeled and deveined shrimp will always have better texture and sweetness than frozen. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking to avoid extra water in the pan.
- They only need a few minutes per side — once they turn pink and opaque, they’re done! Overcooked shrimp can turn rubbery fast.
- Sweet paprika gives gentle warmth, but if you love heat, swap in smoked or hot paprika for an extra kick.
- Always squeeze a little extra lemon over the top before serving to brighten up the buttery garlic flavors. It makes all the difference!
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes! Just thaw them completely and pat dry with paper towels before cooking. This helps them sear properly and prevents a watery sauce.
Large or king prawns are ideal for this lemon garlic shrimp recipe since they stay juicy and soak up flavor beautifully. Smaller shrimp work too — just reduce the cooking time.
They’re ready once they turn pink and opaque with a slight golden edge. Cooking too long will make them chewy, so keep a close eye!
Lemon Paprika Garlic Prawns (Shrimp)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons garlic olive oil or regular
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 medium lemon, juiced about 1-2 tablespoons
- 1 lbs king prawns no tail, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Combine garlic, paprika, lemon juice and prawns in a bowl and mix well to combine the ingredients. Add salt to season (to your tastes). Drizzle garlic oil onto a large frying pan/skillet. frying pan. Heat over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add the parsley and cook for a further 2 mins until prawns change colour. Set aside.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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My go-to condiment is smoked paprika, which I bet would be phenomenal in this! Also, shrimp are just so light they just…disappear.
Oh my god yes! Smokey paprika! Love it Xx