Description
Easy Lemon Garlic Baked Shrimp is a vibrant, flavorful dish that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or effortless entertaining, this recipe combines succulent shrimp with bright lemon, aromatic garlic, and a hint of butter for richness. Serve it as an appetizer, main dish, or atop salads and pastas for a zesty, protein-packed meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Marinade & Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons juice, 1 teaspoon zest)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures a hot environment for quickly baking the shrimp.
- Prepare the baking dish. Arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer in a medium baking dish, ensuring even cooking and flavor absorption.
- Make the lemon garlic sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth and well combined.
- Coat the shrimp. Pour the lemon garlic sauce evenly over the shrimp, gently tossing or stirring to make sure every shrimp is coated.
- Bake the shrimp. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender and juicy.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately, either as a main dish or an appetizer.
Notes
- For a heartier main course, serve over cooked pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Lemon zest adds extra flavor, so don’t skip it!
- If you prefer, substitute butter with olive oil for a lighter dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; gently reheat to avoid overcooking.
- Customize by adding other herbs like dill or basil for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 4 oz shrimp)
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 210mg