What can I substitute for dry white wine?

You can use chicken broth or extra lemon juice.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, but you'll need to fully defrost and pat the fish dry with paper towels before cooking.

What should I serve with this?

Serve with bread for dipping or to eat with the dish to soak up the garlic butter sauce. You could also serve this over rice.

Garlic Butter Shrimp: Easy 15-Minute Date Night Dinner

By Mason BrooksSep 20, 2026

Garlic butter shrimp is a simple yet fancy dish good for a date night at home. Garlic butter shrimp tastes similar to restaurant meals and can be enjoyed as a relaxed meal. Garlic butter shrimp works well as a weeknight option when you want to spend time with your date but don't have time or energy to cook something more elaborate. Sides such as crusty bread or rice can help you enjoy the garlic butter sauce.

Garlic Butter Shrimp: Easy 15-Minute Date Night Dinner

Why you'll love this recipe

Prep time less than 15 minutes
Uses common ingredients that many people are likely to have on hand
Good choice for dinner on a date or other occasions when time is limited
Popular choice in a group setting and generally tasty to most people.
Cream sauce pairs well with the sweetness of the shrimp

Instructions

Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly and season with salt and pepper.

Mince the garlic cloves finely.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly charred.

Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque.

Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet.

Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 30-60 seconds.

Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits.

Let the wine simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.

Return the shrimp to the pan and toss in the garlic butter sauce for 30 seconds.

Remove from heat, squeeze in fresh lemon juice, add lemon zest and parsley. Stir to combine.

Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.

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Dinner Quick Meals Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp: Easy 15-Minute Date Night Dinner

By Mason BrooksSep 20, 2026

Servings

Jump to recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Prep time less than 15 minutes
Uses common ingredients that many people are likely to have on hand
Good choice for dinner on a date or other occasions when time is limited
Popular choice in a group setting and generally tasty to most people.
Cream sauce pairs well with the sweetness of the shrimp

Ingredients

Servings4

•1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
•4 tablespoons unsalted butter (reserve some cold for finishing)
•5 garlic cloves (minced)
•1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
•1 cup dry white wine
•1 medium lemon (zested and juiced)
•1 pinch red pepper flakes (to taste)
•1 bunch fresh parsley (chopped)
•1 salt (to taste)
•1 black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1
Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly and season with salt and pepper.
2
Mince the garlic cloves finely.
3
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4
Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly charred.
5
Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque.
6
Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
7
Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet.
8
Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 30-60 seconds.
9
Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits.
10
Let the wine simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
11
Return the shrimp to the pan and toss in the garlic butter sauce for 30 seconds.
12
Remove from heat, squeeze in fresh lemon juice, add lemon zest and parsley. Stir to combine.
13
Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.