Garlic Butter Shrimp Broccoli

Featured in: Simple Weeknight Recipes

This dish features large shrimp sautéed in melted butter and olive oil infused with fresh garlic and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes. Bright green broccoli florets are blanched to crisp-tender perfection before joining the shrimp in the skillet. Lemon zest and chopped parsley add fresh notes, creating a balanced, savory meal that comes together in under 20 minutes, ideal for busy evenings.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:20:00 GMT
Succulent garlic butter shrimp and broccoli served with vibrant lemon wedges.  Save to Pinterest
Succulent garlic butter shrimp and broccoli served with vibrant lemon wedges. | mellowspice.com

Succulent shrimp sautéed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce, tossed with crisp-tender broccoli for a quick, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights.

I love how fast this dish comes together and my family can't get enough of the garlicky butter sauce.

Ingredients

  • Seafood: 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • Vegetables: 3 cups (300 g) broccoli florets, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional), Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Sauce & Fats: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Aromatics & Seasoning: 5 cloves garlic, finely minced, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional), 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, Zest of 1/2 lemon

Instructions

Step 1:
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.
Step 2:
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper.
Step 3:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter with the olive oil. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until just pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
Step 4:
Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5:
Return broccoli and shrimp to the skillet. Add lemon zest and toss everything together to coat in the garlic butter. Cook for 1–2 minutes until heated through.
Step 6:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Delicious garlic butter shrimp stir-fried with bright, crisp-tender broccoli florets.  Save to Pinterest
Delicious garlic butter shrimp stir-fried with bright, crisp-tender broccoli florets. | mellowspice.com

This dish always brings my family together around the dinner table and makes weeknight meals feel special.

Required Tools

Large skillet, medium pot, slotted spoon, knife and cutting board are all you need to make this recipe.

Allergen Information

Contains shellfish (shrimp) and dairy (butter). Use plant-based margarine or olive oil for a dairy-free option.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 240 calories, 14 g total fat, 6 g carbohydrates, 23 g protein.

A quick garlic butter shrimp and broccoli dish, perfect for busy weeknights. Save to Pinterest
A quick garlic butter shrimp and broccoli dish, perfect for busy weeknights. | mellowspice.com

This simple twist on a seafood classic will become a fast favorite in your household.

Recipe FAQs

How do you prevent shrimp from becoming tough?

Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat until just opaque, about 1–2 minutes per side, to keep them tender and juicy.

What is the best way to blanch broccoli for this dish?

Boil broccoli florets for 2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender, then drain immediately to preserve texture and color.

Can I substitute other vegetables for broccoli?

Yes, asparagus or snap peas work well as alternatives, providing similar crunch and freshness.

How can I make this dish dairy-free?

Replace butter with plant-based margarine or increase olive oil to maintain the rich garlic flavor without dairy.

Is it necessary to use lemon zest in the sauce?

Lemon zest adds a bright, citrus aroma complementing the garlic butter; it’s recommended but can be omitted if unavailable.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Broccoli

Tender shrimp and crisp broccoli coated in fragrant garlic butter for a quick and tasty meal.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Overall Time
20 minutes
Created by Hannah Clarke

Recipe Category Simple Weeknight Recipes

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Total Yield 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Details No Gluten, Low Carb

What You Need

Seafood

01 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails optional

Vegetables

01 3 cups broccoli florets
02 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
03 Lemon wedges, for serving

Sauce & Fats

01 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 1 tablespoon olive oil

Aromatics & Seasoning

01 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
02 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
03 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 Zest of 1/2 lemon

How To Make

Step 01

Blanch broccoli: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 02

Season shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper.

Step 03

Cook shrimp: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter with olive oil. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until just pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.

Step 04

Sauté garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 05

Combine and finish: Return broccoli and shrimp to skillet. Add lemon zest and toss to coat in garlic butter sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.

Step 06

Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Tools Needed

  • Large skillet
  • Medium pot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy Details

Review all components for potential allergens and talk to your doctor with any questions.
  • Contains shellfish and dairy.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional breakdown is for your information and isn't a substitute for health advice.
  • Total Calories: 240
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Proteins: 23 g