Are you craving a delightful seafood dish that’s both quick and satisfying? Look no further than this easy creamy garlic shrimp recipe! This dish combines succulent shrimp with a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic and herbs. It’s a fantastic option for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity; you can whip it up in under 30 minutes while still achieving gourmet flavors.
Ingredients
Shrimp
Shrimp are the star of this dish. For this recipe, use about 1 pound of large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen shrimp work well; however, if using frozen, ensure they are fully thawed before cooking.
Garlic
Garlic is essential for flavor in this recipe. Use about 4-5 cloves of fresh garlic, minced finely to release its aromatic oils. Fresh garlic provides a robust taste that complements the creaminess of the sauce beautifully.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. You’ll need approximately 1 cup for this recipe. This ingredient helps achieve that luxurious texture that coats the shrimp perfectly.
Butter
Butter creates depth in flavor and enhances the overall richness of the dish. Use unsalted butter for better control over seasoning; around 4 tablespoons should suffice.
Parsley
Fresh parsley adds color and freshness to your dish while complementing the flavors perfectly. A couple of tablespoons chopped should be enough to brighten up your creamy garlic shrimp without overpowering it.
Lemon Juice
A splash of lemon juice balances out the richness of the cream and butter with acidity. Use about 1 tablespoon for just the right hint without overpowering other flavors.
How to Prepare Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Step 1: Sautéing Garlic
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat and adding 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil (optional). Once melted and bubbly, add minced garlic into the skillet. Sauté it gently until it turns golden brown—about 1-2 minutes—while stirring constantly to prevent burning. Garlic is delicate; too long on heat makes it bitter! As soon as it’s aromatic and lightly golden, remove it from heat temporarily while preparing other ingredients.
Step 2: Cooking Shrimp
Next comes the star ingredient! Add your peeled and deveined shrimp directly into the skillet with sautéed garlic after removing it from heat momentarily (to avoid cooking garlic further). Cook them in a single layer without overcrowding—this ensures even cooking! Allow them to cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink on one side; flip them carefully with tongs or a spatula at midpoint ensuring even heat distribution throughout cooking process.
Step 3: Creating the Sauce
Once all your shrimp are nicely cooked on both sides (totaling about 4-6 minutes), lower heat slightly then pour in heavy cream slowly while stirring gently but continuously! This helps integrate flavors well without splattering everywhere or forming lumps as we want smooth consistency throughout our sauce! After pouring all cream into pan mix thoroughly followed by squeezing fresh lemon juice over everything—this will lift flavors beautifully!
Step 4: Seasoning & Finishing Touches
To enhance sweetness from heavy cream season mixture generously with salt & freshly cracked black pepper (to taste). After seasoning give another stir then sprinkle chopped parsley evenly across surface ensuring every bite gets that lovely herbaceous note we desire! Let everything simmer together on low flame until sauce thickens slightly—around 2-3 minutes would do fine here—be patient as great dishes take their time too!
Not seasoning adequately. The flavor of the dish heavily relies on garlic and other seasonings. Ensure you use fresh garlic for the best taste and season the shrimp before cooking. A pinch of salt and pepper can make a big difference. Adding lemon juice or zest enhances the dish, balancing the creaminess with a refreshing touch.
Neglecting to prepare your ingredients beforehand can lead to chaos in the kitchen. Gather all necessary ingredients such as garlic, parsley, and spices before starting to cook. This not only streamlines the process but also prevents overcooking or burning components of your dish while trying to chop or measure ingredients midway through cooking.
The visual appeal of your dish plays a significant role in how it’s perceived by others (and yourself!). Serve it in a shallow bowl garnished with lemon wedges and fresh herbs for that restaurant-quality look that impresses guests or even just makes dinner feel special at home.
Suggestions for Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp
When making Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp, one suggestion is to marinate your shrimp briefly before cooking. Use olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in your marinade for about 15-30 minutes prior to cooking; this infuses flavor directly into the shrimp itself. Just be cautious not to marinate too long as acidic ingredients like lemon juice can start cooking seafood if left too long.
Serving this dish hot is essential! Once prepared, serve immediately after plating because letting it sit will lead to separation of sauces or overcooked shrimp cooling down too much—enjoy every bite while it’s still warm!
FAQs
What type of shrimp should I use for Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp?
For an excellent Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe, always opt for fresh shrimp whenever possible.
Can I make Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp ahead of time?
While it’s best enjoyed freshly cooked due its unique flavors combined together perfectly upon finishing stages during preparation time frame—if needed preparing ahead remains doable!
How do I store leftovers from Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp?
To store leftover Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp properly place them into airtight containers after allowing cooling slightly first then refrigerate promptly within two hours maximum post-cooking session completion.
What sides pair well with Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp?
A variety of sides complement easy creamy garlic shrimp nicely! For something light yet refreshing try serving alongside mixed greens salad dressed lightly vinaigrette-style.
