If you are looking for a quick seafood dinner with tender shrimp, fresh garlic, melted butter, lemon, and herbs, this Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp is an excellent recipe to make. Large shrimp are seasoned simply, coated in a rich garlic butter mixture, and baked just until pink and juicy.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, date nights, entertaining, or whenever you need an easy protein that cooks in minutes. The garlic butter creates a flavorful sauce in the bottom of the baking dish, making this shrimp especially good with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
The key is avoiding overcooking. Shrimp cooks very quickly, so a short bake at high heat gives you tender seafood instead of a rubbery texture.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
This recipe comes together with very little preparation and uses simple ingredients.
Baking allows the shrimp to cook evenly without requiring constant stovetop attention.
Fresh garlic, butter, lemon, parsley, and Parmesan create plenty of savory flavor.
The buttery pan juices double as an easy sauce for pasta, rice, or bread.
You can also customize the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, chili flakes, Parmesan, herbs, or extra lemon.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1½ pounds large or jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the Garlic Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Parmesan Topping
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
For Garnishing
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Lemon wedges
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Lightly grease a medium-to-large baking dish or line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Shrimp
If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely.
Drain thoroughly.
Pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels.
Removing excess moisture helps the garlic butter cling to the shrimp rather than becoming diluted.
3. Check the Shrimp
Make sure the shrimp are peeled and deveined.
You can leave the tails attached for presentation or remove them for easier eating.
4. Season the Shrimp
Place the shrimp in a large bowl.
Add:
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes, if using
Toss until evenly coated.
5. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine:
- Melted butter
- Minced garlic
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Black pepper
Mix well.
6. Add Garlic Butter to the Shrimp
Pour approximately three-quarters of the garlic butter over the shrimp.
Toss gently until every piece is coated.
Reserve the remaining butter for finishing.
7. Arrange the Shrimp
Spread the shrimp in a single layer in the baking dish.
Avoid stacking them.
A single layer allows them to cook quickly and evenly.
8. Spoon Over Extra Butter
Pour any garlic butter remaining in the mixing bowl over the shrimp.
Make sure some minced garlic is distributed across the entire dish.
9. Add Parmesan, If Using
Sprinkle Parmesan lightly over the shrimp.
For an extra-crispy top, combine panko, Parmesan, and melted butter, then sprinkle the mixture over the shrimp.
10. Bake
Transfer to the oven.
Bake for approximately 8–12 minutes, depending on shrimp size.
Smaller shrimp may be done earlier, while jumbo shrimp can require slightly longer.
11. Check the Shrimp
The shrimp should look:
- Pink on the outside
- Opaque through the center
- Firm but still juicy
- Curved into a loose “C” shape
Avoid cooking until they curl tightly into small circles, which can indicate overcooking.
12. Check the Temperature
For food safety, shrimp should reach approximately 145°F (63°C).
13. Broil for Extra Color
If using Parmesan or breadcrumbs and you want a more golden surface, broil for approximately 1 minute.
Stay close because shrimp and garlic can overcook quickly.
14. Add Reserved Garlic Butter
Remove the baking dish from the oven.
Immediately drizzle the reserved garlic butter over the hot shrimp.
15. Add Fresh Lemon
Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the top.
The acidity balances the richness of the butter.
16. Garnish
Finish with fresh parsley, Parmesan, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
17. Serve Immediately
Shrimp is at its best right after cooking.
Spoon the buttery garlic pan juices over each serving.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
These shrimp are extremely versatile.
For pasta, try:
- Linguine
- Spaghetti
- Fettuccine
- Angel hair
- Garlic Parmesan pasta
For rice and grains:
- White rice
- Jasmine rice
- Lemon herb rice
- Parmesan risotto
- Orzo
For comforting sides:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted baby potatoes
- Creamy polenta
- Garlic bread
- Crusty French bread
For vegetables:
- Roasted broccoli
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Zucchini
- Brussels sprouts
- Garden salad
- Caesar salad
The garlic butter left in the baking dish is especially good spooned over pasta or soaked up with warm bread.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp
Use raw shrimp rather than pre-cooked shrimp.
Thaw frozen shrimp completely.
Pat the shrimp very dry.
Use large or jumbo shrimp for easier timing.
Use fresh garlic for the strongest flavor.
Arrange the shrimp in one layer.
Do not overcrowd the baking dish.
Bake at high heat for a short time.
Watch the shrimp closely near the end.
Remove them once they turn opaque.
Add fresh lemon after baking.
Serve immediately for the best texture.
Easy Recipe Variations
Garlic Parmesan Baked Shrimp
Increase the Parmesan to ¾ cup and add a light panko topping.
Spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Add:
- Extra red pepper flakes
- Cayenne pepper
- Hot sauce
Cajun Baked Shrimp
Replace the paprika and Italian seasoning with 1–2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Increase the lemon zest and juice and add fresh thyme.
Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp
Stir 1 tablespoon honey into the garlic butter.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp
Add:
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Spinach
- Parmesan
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli
Add lightly steamed broccoli florets around the shrimp before baking.
Cheesy Baked Shrimp
Top with mozzarella and Parmesan during the final few minutes.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover shrimp to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 2–3 days.
Store the shrimp with some garlic butter sauce to help keep them moist.
Reheating on the Stovetop
Place the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat.
Warm only until heated through.
Avoid prolonged cooking.
Reheating in the Oven
Place the shrimp in a covered baking dish.
Reheat gently at approximately 300–325°F until warm.
Microwave
Microwave in short intervals at reduced power.
Shrimp can become rubbery very quickly if overheated.
Freezing
Cooked shrimp can be frozen, although the texture is usually best when eaten fresh.
If freezing, store in an airtight freezer-safe container for approximately 1–2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes.
Thaw completely, drain, and pat dry before seasoning.
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
You can, but it is not ideal because the shrimp can easily overcook.
If using cooked shrimp, add them near the end and bake only until warmed through.
Should I leave the tails on?
Either option works.
Tails-on shrimp look attractive for serving, while tails-off shrimp are easier to eat with pasta or rice.
How do I know when shrimp are done?
They should be pink, opaque, and curved into a loose C shape.
For food safety, they should reach about 145°F.
Why did my shrimp turn rubbery?
They were probably cooked too long.
Shrimp only needs a few minutes in a hot oven.
Can I prepare this ahead?
You can prepare the garlic butter ahead and clean the shrimp beforehand.
For the best texture, combine and bake shortly before serving.
Can I add cream?
Yes.
For a creamy version, add a small amount of warm heavy cream to the garlic butter pan juices after baking.
Can I make this without Parmesan?
Absolutely.
The basic garlic butter version is excellent without cheese.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp combines juicy shrimp, fresh garlic, melted butter, lemon, herbs, and optional Parmesan in one incredibly easy seafood dinner.
The key is using raw shrimp, drying them thoroughly, arranging them in a single layer, and baking only until they turn opaque and reach about 145°F.
Serve the shrimp over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread and spoon plenty of warm garlic butter sauce over the top for a quick, flavorful dinner that tastes far more luxurious than the effort required.