Easy Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp

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Easy Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 8–10 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450g) Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)

  • 4 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted

  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced (measure with your heart, but 3 is the baseline)

  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp Onion powder

  • 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. Prep the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This ensures the butter clings to them rather than sliding off into a watery mess. Place them in a single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish.

  3. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

  4. Coat: Pour the butter mixture over the shrimp. Toss gently to ensure every shrimp is well-coated. Arrange them so they aren’t overlapping too much.

  5. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they turn opaque and form a “C” shape.

  6. Finish: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and squeeze an extra lemon wedge over the top.

Chef’s Notes & Tips

  • Don’t Overcook: Shrimp go from “perfect” to “rubber eraser” in about 60 seconds. Pull them out as soon as they are pink and opaque.

  • The “C” Rule: A perfectly cooked shrimp looks like a “C”. If it has curled tightly into an “O”, it’s overcooked.

  • Frozen vs. Fresh: Frozen shrimp are often “fresher” than the ones at the seafood counter because they are flash-frozen at sea. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry.

Benefits

  • High Protein: Shrimp are a “lean” protein, meaning they provide high satiety with low caloric density.

  • Quick Cleanup: One bowl, one baking dish.

  • Keto/Low-Carb Friendly: Naturally low in carbs, making it a great keto staple when served with greens.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 185 kcal

  • Protein: 18g

  • Total Fat: 12g

  • Carbohydrates: 2g

  • Sodium: 240mg

Q&A

Q: Can I use cooked shrimp for this? A: I wouldn’t recommend it. Re-baking pre-cooked shrimp will make them very tough. Stick to raw shrimp for the best texture.

Q: What should I serve this with? A: If you want to keep it light, go with roasted asparagus or a Caesar salad. If you want comfort, serve it over angel hair pasta or with a warm baguette to soak up the garlic butter.

Q: Can I make this spicy? A: Absolutely. Add ½ tsp of red chili flakes to the butter mixture before baking.

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