Spicy Garlic Shrimp has bold flavors and only takes 5 minutes to cook! This recipe is the best shrimp dish I’ve ever had, hands down!
You will always find a bag of shrimp in my freezer – they’re delicious, healthy and only take minutes to cook. Shrimp recipes tend to be quick-cooking and delicious so they’re perfect to have on hand for last-minute dinners or appetizers. Spicy garlic shrimp is a favorite at my house. I often serve this dish as a main course with pasta or our favorite fried rice recipe, but it also makes an amazing appetizer on a buffet with some Hush Puppies. Best of all, it’s ready in just minutes so it’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
SPICY GARLIC SHRIMP
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Spicy garlic shrimp are simply cooked in a pan with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and juice, parsley and red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the heat level by using more or less of the red pepper flakes. I often reserve some of the shrimp without pepper flakes for the kids and then spice up the adult portions.
How to make spicy garlic shrimp
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Season shrimp with salt & pepper.
- Cook shrimp until pink and cooked through.
- Add garlic, pepper flakes, and lemon, cook for a couple more minutes.
- Add lemon juice & parsley. Serve immediately.
The trick to getting a nice sear on the shrimp is to make sure they’re completely dry and to cook them in the olive oil over high heat. I prefer to use the largest shrimp I can find for this recipe, although I’ve made it before with smaller shrimp and it’s still just as delicious.
I like to garnish my shrimp recipes with lemon wedges and parsley – you can never have too much lemon when it comes to seafood! Add a loaf of bread and a salad for a quick dinner, or serve a platter piled high with these shrimp and a dip like cocktail sauce or salsa for a quick yet impressive-looking appetizer.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd at a party or just looking for a simple and tasty dinner, spicy garlic shrimp are the perfect choice for tons of flavor without all the work! They’re right at the top of my “always a yes” list along with Hawaiian Chicken Bites!
Want more shrimp recipes?
- Cheesy Crock Pot Shrimp and Artichoke Dip
- Creamy Greek Shrimp Pasta
- Baked Bang Bang Shrimp
- Garlic Roasted Shrimp with Spinach Artichoke Pasta
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Tacos
- More appetizer recipes…
Tools used to make this Spicy Garlic Shrimp recipe
Large Skillet:Â This skillet is my go-to kitchen tool. It’s large circumference and high sides make it perfect for cooking anything from one pan meals to soups and sauces.
Cast Iron Skillet:Â This cast iron skillet is one of my most treasured pieces of cookware. I’ve had mine for years and make everything from breakfast to dinner and dessert in it!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes depends on your heat preference
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons parsley or cilantro chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 3 minutes or until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes and lemon zest; cook for 1-2 minutes more.
- Add in the lemon juice and parsley then serve.
Nutrition
More great shrimp recipes:
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Shari says
We made this tonight with twice the shrimp and followed the recipe exactly, doubling everything as we went. Served with rice and roasted asparagus. This meal is easy to make, quick, tasty and healthy. We really enjoyed it and will make it again. It does, I think, depend on having nice, fresh shrimp. Thanks for the recipe.
Lucie says
This recipe is incredible! So quick and easy- one of my favorites of all time! Will be keeping for later use! Without fail such a yummy dinner that will NOT disappoint!
Jeff Wakefield says
Definitely the best ever
Laineybug says
I grew up on and now live on a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. Have been cooking shrimp since I was 10. I would suggest cooking your shrimp for about ONE MINUTE before adding other ingredients, or add all at the same time. Unless you have the really big jumbo shrimp, a total cooking time of 3 minutes is sufficient. Otherwise you end up with tasteless shrimp rubber. Yes, cooking shrimp too long destroys the delicate flavor as well as making them tough. Try cooking all ingredients at once for 3 minutes and see if you can’t tell a wonderful flavor difference. You’ll NEVER go back to over cooking shrimp again once you’ve had them cooked correctly. The recipe sounds lovely and yummy.
Aubrey Cota says
Thanks for the tips!
Jerneisha windham says
I really love seafood boils so that’s why I’m ordering seafood with lobster tails and king crabs and shrimps with potatoes and corn
Aubrey Cota says
Yum!
healthy shrimp recipes says
hey Sara awesome shrimp recipe thanks for sharing this delicious shrimp recipe
Kelsy says
I’d like to make pasta with the shrimp. Do you recommend a certain sauce for the noodles?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Kelsy! As simple as it is, I really like this One Pot Alfredo Pasta with the shrimp. The creamy sauce balances out the spicy shrimp.
https://realhousemoms.com/one-pot-alfredo-pasta/
Otherwise, you could add an extra tablespoon of olive oil and lemon juice once the shrimp is done cooking and then add the cooked & drained pasta to the skillet and stir it all together. Hope this helps!
Josi says
What is the recipe for the dipping sauce in the video for the spicy shrimp.
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Josi! The dip is our Yum Yum Sauce and it is gooo-oood with this shrimp!
https://realhousemoms.com/yum-yum-sauce/
Casper says
What’s the recipe for the dip for the shrimp?
Great recipe for all shrimp lovers.
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Casper! The dip is our Yum Yum Sauce and it’s super good this shrimp! https://realhousemoms.com/yum-yum-sauce/
Jill says
please tell me the sauce recipe
Aubrey Cota says
The dip is our Yum Yum Sauce and it’s super good this shrimp! https://realhousemoms.com/yum-yum-sauce/
Jerneisha windham says
Red pepper and shrimp
Dana says
I am now making this spicy garlic shrimp again. This time I am changing one thing, I am doubling
the amount of shrimp. First time everyone was begging for more shrimp. It was so good and quick and easy.
Julie @Real Housemoms says
So glad everyone enjoyed this recipe Dana!
Diane says
I tried to make shrimp scampi, I bought a bag of frozen cooked shrimp, the shrimp was very tough and had a very fishy taste, why would that be ?
Julie @Real Housemoms says
Hi Diane! If you’re making a recipe where the shrimp needs to be cooked in the sauce (like scampi) you’ll want to buy raw shrimp (frozen or thawed). Cooking pre-cooked shrimp more will make it tough and rubbery because it becomes over cooked. As far as the overly fishy taste, that I don’t have an answer to. It could be that bag of shrimp or the brand or…? I don’t think it’s anything you did with the recipe. It would be because of the shrimp itself.
Jerneisha windham says
Can y’all cook them for me
Aubrey Cota says
If you clean!
Jerneisha windham says
It will be because it’s shrimp it’s gone be tough and tinder
Liz says
A lovely recipe. Thank you and have a good day!