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Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Lemon garlic shrimp is a quick-cooked seafood dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in olive oil with garlic and finished with fresh lemon juice. The dish has a bright, zesty flavor and a slightly glossy appearance, with plump shrimp coated in a citrusy sauce perfect for quick meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined) Fresh or thawed
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 whole lemon zested and juiced
  • 0.5 teapsoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Lemon Zester or Microplane
  • Cooking spoon

Method
 

  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they sear properly, then set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and just starting to smoke slightly.
  3. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Sear for about 2 minutes without moving them, until the underside turns pink and begins to brown slightly.
  4. Flip the shrimp with a spoon or tongs and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully pink and opaque, with a firm texture.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant and beginning to turn golden; listen for a gentle sizzle.
  6. Zest the lemon directly over the skillet, then squeeze in the fresh lemon juice, letting the bright liquid coat the shrimp and bubbling slightly.
  7. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the shrimp, and stir everything together to coat evenly in the citrusy sauce, about 30 seconds.
  8. Remove the skillet from heat once the sauce thickens slightly and the shrimp look glossy and tender. Give a final stir to ensure even coating.
  9. Transfer the lemon garlic shrimp to a serving dish and garnish with extra lemon zest or herbs if desired.

Notes

Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture. Great over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread.