A Weeknight Wonder for Your Taste Buds
Do you ever crave a delicious, restaurant-quality meal that’s both healthy and easy to whip up, even on the busiest weeknights? We’ve all been there – balancing a desire for gourmet flavors with a packed schedule. Well, get ready to discover your new go-to recipe! Today, we’re diving into a dish that combines vibrant flavors, tender textures, and pure culinary satisfaction: Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus. Prepare to fall in love with how simple and spectacular this meal can be!
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a winner for many reasons. It is a lightning-fast dinner, ready from prep to plate in under 20 minutes, perfect for hectic evenings. You will experience a flavor explosion with the irresistible combination of zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, rich butter, and succulent shrimp. This dish is healthy & wholesome, packed with lean protein from the shrimp and fiber-rich asparagus, making it a nutritious choice. It’s a one-pan wonder (almost!), meaning minimal cleanup. Finally, it is impressively easy, so even beginner cooks can master this dish with confidence.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
Making Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus is straightforward. You will start by preparing your ingredients, then sauté the asparagus. Next, you will cook the shrimp. After that, you will finish making the sauce. Finally, you will serve and garnish your dish.
Ingredients of Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
- Fresh Shrimp: 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off (your preference!)
- Asparagus: 1 bunch (about 1 pound) fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons, divided
- Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced
- Fresh Lemon: 1 large, zest and juice
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: ¼ cup (or water for extra flavor)
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped, for garnish
- Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): ¼ teaspoon, for a hint of heat
Directions of Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
1. Prepare Your Ingredients
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Snap the woody ends off the asparagus spears. You can leave them whole or cut them into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Mince your garlic and zest/juice your lemon.
2. Sauté the Asparagus
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add the asparagus and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Cook the Shrimp
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
- Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant (be careful not to burn it!).
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcook!
4. Finish the Sauce
- Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the lemon zest and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Return the cooked asparagus to the skillet and toss gently to combine and coat everything in the delicious sauce.
5. Serve & Garnish
- Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately!
How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
You can serve this dish in many ways. You can toss it over pasta like linguine or angel hair for a more substantial meal. Serve it with rice (white, brown, or quinoa) to soak up the glorious sauce. Don’t forget crusty bread to mop up every last drop of that amazing lemon garlic butter sauce. For a light and low-carb option, enjoy it on its own or alongside a simple side salad. You can also serve it alongside roasted potatoes for a heartier side.
How to Store Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat just until warmed through, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.
Tips to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
- Do not overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cooks very quickly! Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery. Remove it from the heat as soon as it turns pink and opaque.
- Fresh is best: Using fresh lemon and garlic truly elevates the flavor of this Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus.
- Heat control: Keep an eye on your heat, especially when sautéing garlic, to prevent burning.
Variation
- Spicy Kick: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Herbal Infusion: Experiment with other fresh herbs like dill or thyme.
- Different Veggies: While asparagus is classic, you can try this with broccoli florets, green beans, or cherry tomatoes.
- Creamy Texture: Stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream at the end for a richer sauce.
- Cheesy Goodness: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving is always a welcome addition.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus ahead of time?
While the flavors are best fresh, you can prep your ingredients (peel shrimp, trim asparagus, mince garlic) ahead of time. We do not recommend fully cooking this dish too far in advance, as shrimp can become tough and asparagus can lose its crispness when reheated.
Q2: What kind of shrimp is best for this Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus recipe?
Large or jumbo shrimp work best for this recipe. Fresh or frozen (and fully thawed) shrimp are both fine. Look for shrimp that are peeled and deveined to save time, or do it yourself if you prefer.
Q3: How do I store leftovers of Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat just until warmed through, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.
Classic Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Plate
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Shrimp large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 1 bunch Asparagus (about 1 pound) fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter divided
- 4-5 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 large Fresh Lemon zest and juice
- ¼ cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley chopped, for garnish
- Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper To taste
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (Optional), for a hint of heat
Instructions
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Trim asparagus, then mince garlic and prepare lemon zest and juice.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté asparagus for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp, then transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining butter to the skillet, then sauté minced garlic for 30-60 seconds. Cook seasoned shrimp in a single layer for 1-2 minutes per side until pink.
- Pour in broth and lemon juice, bringing to a simmer while scraping the pan. Stir in lemon zest and red pepper flakes, then return asparagus and toss to coat.
- Remove from heat, adjust seasoning, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately.