If you’re looking for a delicious seafood dish that combines simplicity, elegance, and incredible flavor, this Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp recipe is the perfect choice. The golden crumbs, sizzling butter, and juicy shrimp make this dish irresistible from the very first bite. With its rich flavor and crispy topping, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or special occasions where you want something impressive yet effortless.
This recipe is not only mouthwatering, but it’s also easy to prepare with basic ingredients. In this article, you’ll find a full step-by-step method, essential kitchen tips, serving ideas, and SEO-optimized content designed for food blogs and recipe websites. Whether you’re a cooking enthusiast or preparing content for search engines, this recipe checks every box.
Why You Will Love This Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
Shrimp lovers will appreciate how the butter, garlic, lemon, and breadcrumbs combine to create a comforting, savory, and slightly crunchy dish. The shrimp stay juicy and tender while the topping turns golden and crispy in the oven. It’s one of those meals that tastes restaurant-quality but is surprisingly easy to make at home.
This dish also falls under the “quick dinner recipes,” “seafood recipes,” and “easy baked shrimp” categories—high-performing SEO keywords that boost your visibility on Google and Pinterest. The combination of simple ingredients, quick prep time, and gourmet results makes this recipe perfect for content creators and home cooks alike.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
For the Shrimp
1 kg (2.2 lbs) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
½ tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ tbsp paprika
½ tsp chili flakes (optional for heat)
For the Crunchy Topping
1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko recommended)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp fresh parsley
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp (Step-By-Step)
- Prep the Shrimp
Start by washing, peeling, and deveining the shrimp. Pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure they bake evenly. Place them in a baking dish in a single layer. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice.
This small step brightens the flavor and keeps the shrimp juicy.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture
In a bowl, combine melted butter with minced garlic, lemon zest, paprika, chili flakes, and fresh parsley. The butter acts as the main flavor carrier, while paprika adds color and mild smokiness. Garlic infuses the shrimp with bold, aromatic depth.
Pour the garlic butter evenly over the shrimp, making sure each piece is coated. The sauce will bubble as it bakes, creating a rich, flavorful base.
- Create the Crispy Topping
To achieve that beautiful golden crust seen in the photo, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and melted butter in a separate bowl. The butter helps the crumbs crisp up perfectly in the oven.
Sprinkle this mixture generously over the shrimp. Try to cover each shrimp lightly without compacting the crumbs—this keeps the topping light and crispy.
- Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Place the baking dish on the middle rack and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and firm.
For an extra golden crust, broil the top for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch it carefully—the Parmesan and breadcrumbs brown quickly.
- Garnish and Serve
Remove the shrimp from the oven and sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve immediately while the topping is hot and crunchy.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
Use large or jumbo shrimp
Smaller shrimp cook too quickly and may become rubbery. Large shrimp maintain tenderness and hold more buttery flavor.
Don’t over-bake
Shrimp cook fast. As soon as they turn pink and curled, they’re done. Overcooking makes them tough.
Fresh garlic makes a big difference
Avoid garlic powder here. Minced fresh garlic gives deep, aromatic flavor that matches the richness of butter.
Use Panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness
Panko makes the topping lighter, crunchier, and more golden compared to regular breadcrumbs.
Bake in a shallow dish
A wide baking dish gives each shrimp its own space to brown properly.
Serving Ideas
Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with many sides. Here are some delicious serving ideas:
- With Pasta
Serve over linguine or fettuccine tossed in olive oil, lemon, and Parmesan. The garlic butter sauce from the shrimp acts as a natural pasta sauce.
- With Rice
A bed of fluffy jasmine or basmati rice absorbs the buttery juices perfectly.
- With Garlic Bread
The crunchy bread soaks up the leftover garlic butter—absolutely irresistible.
- As a Party Appetizer
Serve on skewers or directly from the baking dish. This recipe is always a hit at gatherings.
- With Roasted Vegetables
Broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini pair wonderfully with the lemon-garlic flavor.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Because shrimp are delicate, proper storage is essential.
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheating:
Warm in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for 5–7 minutes.
Avoid microwaving—it can make shrimp rubbery.
Freezing:
This dish freezes well before baking.
Prepared shrimp with topping can be frozen for up to 2 months.