Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Name: Spicy Garlic Shrimp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined with tails on or off); 3 tablespoons salted butter (divided); 1 clove fresh garlic (minced); 1 serrano pepper (~1/4 cup, sliced and seeds removed if sensitive to spice); 2 teaspoons fresh ginger (grated or chopped); 1/3 cup pre-prepared sweet chili sauce; 1 tablespoon lime juice (~1/2 of one lime); 1 tablespoon orange juice; Optional garnishes: sesame seeds (sliced green onions)

A close up of a plate of shrimp and vegetables, with Garlic

This delicious and simple spicy garlic shrimp is a yummy and quick dinner option. Fresh shrimp is pan-fried with a zesty, tasty sauce then served over rice or noodles.

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This spicy garlic shrimp recipe is delicious and flavorful. Pan-fried shrimp is so easy to make and the spicy seasoning that coats will make your taste buds come alive. This recipe is perfect for hectic days when you want a quick weeknight dinner. Shrimp do not take a lot of time to cook making it easy to throw them together in a matter of minutes.

We like to serve our spicy garlic butter shrimp with a side of fried rice or zucchini noodles. Alternatively, you could add these tasty garlic shrimp to shrimp tacos or a seafood pasta dish. We also have other shrimp recipes to try. Check out our bang bang shrimp and shrimp fried rice.

A plate of food with broccoli, with Shrimp and Garlic

MORE SHRIMP RECIPES TO TRY

Chicken and Shrimp Tacos | Shrimp Fried Rice

SPICY GARLIC SHRIMP INGREDIENTS

You will need:

1 pound of jumbo shrimp
3 tablespoons of salted butter
1 clove of fresh garlic, minced
1 serrano pepper, sliced
2 teaspoons of fresh ginger, grated or chopped
⅓ cup of sweet chili sauce
The juice of half a lime
1 tablespoon of orange juice
Salt and pepper

PRO TIP: You can use frozen shrimp as it is easy to have on hand in your freezer. To thaw the shrimp quickly, place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

JUMBO SHRIMP: Nice big shrimp are the best, but they can be pricey. You can use any size of shrimp or prawns in this easy shrimp recipe, just reduce the total cooking time if you use smaller ones.

SALTED BUTTER: Unsalted butter will be fine. You can always add a pinch of salt if desired. Alternatively, you may choose to substitute the butter for olive oil.

FRESH GINGER: Fresh ginger is definitely recommended for this recipe, but dried ginger would work in a pinch.

SERRANO PEPPER: If you don’t have a serrano pepper, you can use chili peppers or jalapeños. If you like spicy food, leave the seeds in the serrano pepper. Otherwise, remove them for a little bit of a milder taste.

GARNISHES: Top your spicy shrimp with sesame seeds or sliced green onion for bonus presentation points.

HOW TO MAKE THIS SPICY GARLIC SHRIMP RECIPE

A bowl filled with different types of food on a plate, with Garlic and Garnish

STEP ONE: Prepare your fresh or thawed raw shrimp by peeling and deveining them as needed. You can leave the tails on or take them off according to your preference. Season with salt and pepper.

STEP TWO: Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for one minute on each side until part-cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.

STEP THREE: Add two more tablespoons of butter to the pan and melt. Stir in the garlic, serrano pepper, ginger, sweet chili sauce, lime juice and orange juice. Cook for three minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.

PRO TIP: If you like spicy food, leave the seeds in the serrano pepper. Otherwise, remove them for a milder taste.

STEP FOUR: Place shrimp back into the pan and cook for one or two more minutes, or until cooked through. Garnish and serve.

PRO TIP: It’s easy to overcook the shrimp and this will make them rubbery. Shrimp cooks fast and will very quickly turn from a dull gray color to a vibrant pink and white. As soon as this happens, remove them from the pan.

HOW TO SERVE

This spicy garlicky shrimp recipe is a delicious dish for a quick weeknight dinner. They cook up fast and are delicious served on top of fried rice, zucchini noodles or pasta. Add garlic bread or roasted vegetables on the side for a yummy meal.

STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Cooked shrimp will keep for three days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

IN THE FREEZER: Cooked shrimp can be stored in the freezer for up to three months and reheated from frozen.

A bowl of food on a plate, with Shrimp and Garlic

We wholeheartedly believe that this is the best shrimp recipe you’ll ever taste. Hot, spicy and delicious, this classic Creole-inspired dish is perfect as an appetizer, a healthy main course with rice or noodles for an easy meal or to be served on a buffet.

FAQ

How do you cook shrimp on the stove?

To cook shrimp on the stove you will need a skillet and some olive oil or butter. Heat the shrimp over medium heat for a couple of minutes on each side until they are pink and opaque. Serve immediately to avoid overcooking.

How long do I cook shrimp?

Shrimp cooking times depend on the size of the shrimp and how many you have in the pan. They should be cooked until the flesh is completely pink and opaque. Pan-fried fresh shrimp usually take between three and seven minutes to cook.
It’s easy to overcook the shrimp and this will make them rubbery. Cooked shrimp will very quickly turn from a dull gray color to a vibrant pink and white. As soon as this happens, remove them from the pan.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just thaw the shrimp and add to your recipe.

MORE EASY DINNERS

Spicy Garlic Shrimp

5 from 1 vote

This delicious and simple spicy garlic shrimp is a yummy and quick dinner option. Fresh shrimp is pan-fried with a zesty, tasty sauce then served over rice or noodles.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings

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Ingredients

1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined with tails on or off
3 tablespoons salted butter divided
1 clove fresh garlic minced
1 serrano pepper ~¼ cup, sliced and seeds removed if sensitive to spice
2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated or chopped
1/3 cup pre-prepared sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice ~½ of one lime
1 tablespoon orange juice
Optional garnishes: sesame seeds sliced green onions

Instructions

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet pan over medium heat.
Salt and pepper shrimp before adding them to hot pan.
Cook one side of shrimp for 1 minute, flip over and cook the other side for 1 minute. Take out of pan. They don’t have to be completely cooked at this point. Set aside.
Place an additional 2 tablespoons butter into pan and melt.
Stir in garlic, serrano pepper, ginger, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and orange juice and let cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
Transfer shrimp back into pan and coat shrimp. Cook shrimp for an additional minute or until cooked through.
Take off heat and serve warm with rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, optional.

Notes

TIP: You can use frozen shrimp as it is easy to have on hand in your freezer. To thaw the shrimp quickly, place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.

TIP: If you like spicy food, leave the seeds in the serrano pepper. Otherwise, remove them for a milder taste.

TIP: It’s easy to overcook the shrimp and this will make them rubbery. Shrimp cooks fast and will very quickly turn from a dull gray color to a vibrant pink and white. As soon as this happens, remove them from the pan.

Nutrition

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Spicy Garlic Shrimp