Baked Shrimp With Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

If you've ever dreamed of transforming ordinary shrimp into a Mediterranean masterpiece, you're in for a culinary adventure! Baked shrimp with garlic lemon butter sauce isn't just a recipe—it's your ticket to an effortless, restaurant-quality meal that'll make your taste buds dance. You'll learn how to perfectly blend simple ingredients into a show-stopping dish that's both elegant and incredibly easy to prepare. Want to know the secret to creating a sauce that'll have everyone asking for seconds? Keep reading, and you'll unlock the magic of this mouthwatering recipe.

Recipe Highlights

• Gather fresh large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon, salt, pepper, and optional fresh parsley for a classic Mediterranean-inspired seafood dish.
• Preheat oven and melt butter in a baking dish, adding minced garlic to create a rich, aromatic base for the shrimp.
• Arrange peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.
• Bake shrimp for 8-10 minutes at 400°F, ensuring they are cooked through but not overdone to maintain tenderness and natural sweetness.
• Serve immediately with additional fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic lemon butter sauce.

History

Though shrimp have been part of human cuisine for thousands of years, the specific technique of baking shrimp in garlic butter is a more recent culinary innovation. Mediterranean coastal regions first popularized this cooking method, blending fresh seafood with aromatic herbs and rich butter.

You'll find that different cultures have adapted the basic recipe, each adding unique regional twists.

The technique likely emerged in:

• Southern European coastal communities
• French Mediterranean provinces
• Italian seaside cooking traditions

Culinary historians trace the modern garlic butter preparation to mid-20th century restaurant innovations. French and Italian chefs began experimenting with simple, elegant seafood preparations that highlighted fresh ingredients.

You'll appreciate how these culinary pioneers transformed basic shrimp into a sophisticated dish that balances delicate flavors with robust cooking techniques.

Recipe

Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that brings together the delicate flavors of succulent seafood with bright citrus and rich, velvety butter.

This simple yet elegant recipe transforms basic ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.

The key to this dish lies in its minimal yet impactful ingredients, allowing the natural sweetness of the shrimp to take center stage while being elegantly enhanced by garlic, lemon, and butter. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, this recipe promises a delightful culinary experience that's both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, melt the butter and add minced garlic, creating a fragrant base for the shrimp.

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded, which would prevent even cooking. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then squeeze half the lemon over the top, reserving the other half for serving.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, then switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to achieve a slightly golden top.

The shrimp are done when they're firm and have a bright pink color.

When preparing this dish, choose shrimp that are similar in size to ensure uniform cooking, and avoid overcooking, which can result in tough, rubbery texture.

If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.

Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic lemon butter sauce, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for an extra touch of flavor and color.

Cooking Steps

Start by melting butter in your baking dish, then sprinkle in minced garlic to create a fragrant base for your shrimp.

Carefully arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer, ensuring they're evenly spaced and seasoned generously with salt and pepper.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, letting the citrus brighten the rich butter and garlic, preparing your dish for a quick, flavorful bake.

Step 1. Melt Butter in Baking Dish

Place your trusty baking dish directly on the stovetop over low heat to begin melting the butter smoothly and evenly. Watch as the butter slowly transforms from a solid block to a glistening golden liquid, ensuring you don't let it brown or burn. Gently tilt the dish to coat the bottom completely, creating a smooth, even layer that'll help prevent the shrimp from sticking.

• Use unsalted butter for better control of seasoning
• Keep the heat low and gentle
• Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly

Once the butter has melted, you'll notice a slight sheen and translucent quality. This is your signal that it's ready for the next step: adding minced garlic. The warm butter will help release the garlic's aromatic oils, setting the stage for a deeply flavorful sauce.

Step 2. Add Minced Garlic

After coating the baking dish with smooth, melted butter, you'll want to sprinkle in the minced garlic, transforming the simple butter into a fragrant flavor base.

Carefully distribute the 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic evenly across the butter, allowing the aromatic oils to infuse throughout the dish. The minced garlic will create a robust, savory foundation that will perfectly complement the delicate shrimp.

Key tips for adding garlic:

• Mince garlic uniformly for consistent flavor
• Spread garlic gently to prevent burning
• Ensure even distribution in the butter

As the garlic settles into the warm butter, its pungent notes will begin to soften, developing a mellow, rich essence that promises to elevate your entire dish.

This crucial step sets the stage for a truly delectable baked shrimp experience.

Step 3. Arrange Shrimp in Dish

Carefully spread the peeled and deveined shrimp across your buttery, garlic-infused baking dish in a single, uniform layer.

You'll want to ensure each shrimp has breathing room, preventing overcrowding that could lead to uneven cooking. Space them approximately 1/2 inch apart, allowing heat to circulate and create that perfect golden-pink finish.

Position the shrimp with their curved sides facing the same direction for a professional presentation. Use tongs or a gentle hand to arrange them methodically, avoiding clumping.

Check that no shrimp overlap, which would interrupt the even heat distribution crucial for tender, succulent results.

Aim for aesthetic appeal and optimal cooking performance: a neat, organized arrangement that promises delicious, evenly baked seafood.

Step 4. Season With Salt and Pepper

With your shrimp artfully arranged in the buttery baking dish, you'll now enhance their natural sweetness by seasoning them.

Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly across the shrimp, using about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Don't just dump the seasonings; aim for a light, even distribution that'll complement the shrimp's delicate flavor.

Key seasoning tips:

• Use your fingertips to distribute salt and pepper
• Gently shake the pan to ensure even coverage
• Avoid overseasoning, which can mask the shrimp's natural taste
• Consider using fine sea salt for more precise seasoning

The goal is a balanced flavor that'll elevate the shrimp without overwhelming the garlic lemon butter sauce waiting to transform this dish into a culinary delight.

Step 5. Squeeze Lemon Juice

The second step in creating your zesty baked shrimp involves releasing the bright, citrusy essence of your lemon.

Take your fresh lemon and slice it in half, positioning one half directly over your prepared shrimp. Gently squeeze, allowing approximately 2 tablespoons of juice to distribute evenly across the seafood.

The acidic liquid will help:

• Tenderize the shrimp
• Enhance natural flavors
• Add a vibrant, tangy note

Distribute the juice methodically, ensuring each shrimp receives a light coating. Use your fingertips to guide the juice, catching any seeds that might fall.

Reserve the remaining lemon half for serving, which will provide a final, fresh squeeze at the table.

This technique ensures your shrimp absorb a perfect balance of citrus brightness before entering the oven, setting the stage for a memorable Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Final Thoughts

Because baked shrimp represents such a versatile and delightful seafood dish, you'll find this recipe becoming a go-to meal in your culinary repertoire.

You can easily customize the recipe by adding herbs like parsley or dill, or experimenting with different spice blends to suit your taste preferences. Pay attention to cooking time and temperature to ensure perfectly tender shrimp every time.

Key considerations for future preparations include:

• Using fresh, high-quality shrimp
• Maintaining precise oven temperatures
• Avoiding overcooking
• Patting shrimp dry before seasoning

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Whether you're cooking for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, baked shrimp with garlic lemon butter sauce offers a delicious solution that's both impressive and effortless.