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Garlic Butter Shrimp and Asparagus

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A quick and flavorful 20-minute dinner featuring shrimp sautéed in garlic butter alongside tender asparagus, balanced with fresh lemon and herbs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large size)
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus (about 1 lb), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim the tough ends off the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and warm until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Add asparagus pieces to the hot oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally, cooking until asparagus is bright green and just tender-crisp (about 4-5 minutes). Remove asparagus to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and once melted, toss in the minced garlic. Stir quickly to prevent burning; garlic should become fragrant but not brown (about 1 minute).
  5. Add shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Let shrimp cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until pink on one side, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until opaque and curled.
  6. Return asparagus to the pan with shrimp. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Toss everything together gently, letting the butter melt and coat the shrimp and asparagus evenly (2-3 minutes).
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure shrimp sears properly. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to avoid steaming. Use medium-high heat for best results. Add butter towards the end to create a silky sauce without burning. If the sauce is thin, simmer for 30 seconds to thicken slightly. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Asparagus can be swapped with green beans or broccolini.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, asparagus recipe, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, low-carb, gluten-free, seafood, healthy dinner

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/garlic-butter-shrimp-and-asparagus-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner-idea/