If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious seafood dish, look no further than oven baked shrimp with garlic lemon butter sauce. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or an elegant dinner party, offering a flavor-packed meal that comes together in just minutes.
1. Best Damn Oven Baked Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on or tail-off)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for a hint of smokiness)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp
Peel and devein the shrimp: If your shrimp are not already peeled and deveined, remove the shells and veins, leaving the tails on for presentation, if desired. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
Melt the butter: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Mix the sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter with the minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, paprika (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
Step 4: Arrange the Shrimp
Place the shrimp: Lay the shrimp in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Make sure the shrimp are not overlapping, so they bake evenly.
Pour the sauce: Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce evenly over the shrimp, making sure each shrimp is coated in the mixture.
Step 5: Bake the Shrimp
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery.
Optional broil: For extra crispiness, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to lightly brown the top of the shrimp.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Garnish: Once the shrimp are done, remove them from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Serve: Serve the baked shrimp immediately with a side of lemon wedges for extra zing. Be sure to drizzle some of the leftover garlic lemon butter sauce from the baking dish over the shrimp for maximum flavor.
2. What to Serve With Oven Baked Shrimp
This dish is so versatile that you can serve it with a wide range of sides. Here are a few serving suggestions:
Over Pasta: Toss the shrimp with cooked pasta, like linguine or angel hair, and drizzle the garlic lemon butter sauce over the top.
With Rice: Serve the shrimp over a bed of fluffy white rice or garlic butter rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
With Crusty Bread: A loaf of warm, crusty bread is perfect for sopping up the extra garlic lemon butter sauce.
On a Salad: For a light and healthy meal, serve the shrimp over a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
3. How to Store & Reheat Oven Baked Shrimp
Storing:
Refrigerate: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
Stovetop: For the best results, reheat the shrimp gently on the stovetop in a skillet with a little extra butter or oil over low heat. This will help preserve their texture.
Microwave: You can also reheat the shrimp in the microwave, but be cautious as shrimp can overcook and become rubbery. Heat in short bursts (20-30 seconds) until just warmed through.
The ease of baking and speed of preparing the zippy lemon garlic butter sauce makes this shrimp recipe ideal for hectic weeknights. I hope that after reading this article, you know how to cook shrimp in the oven properly at home. Good luck.