1-Step 1: Prepare Your Shrimp Start by ensuring your shrimp are properly prepared. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or place the sealed bag under cold running water for 10-15 minutes. Once thawed, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial because excess moisture causes the shrimp to steam rather than sear, resulting in a soggy texture and less browning. Check that each shrimp is peeled and deveined. If you purchased shrimp with shells, remove them by pulling the legs and peeling back the shell. To devein, make a shallow cut along the back and pull out the dark vein with the tip of your knife or a deveining tool. Whether to remove the tails is entirely up to you leaving them on looks elegant for serving, while removing them makes eating more convenient for casual weeknight dinners.

2-Step 2: Season Your Shrimp Place your dried shrimp in a bowl and season them evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss gently to coat each piece. Pre-seasoning helps the flavors penetrate the shrimp rather than just sitting on the surface. Let them sit for a minute or two while you prepare your pan.

3-Step 3: Heat the Butter Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the 4 tablespoons of butter and let it melt completely. Wait until the butter starts to bubble slightly and foam this indicates it’s hot enough for cooking. The butter should be melted but not browned at this stage.

4-Step 4: Cook the Shrimp Once the butter is hot and bubbly, add the seasoned shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes total, stirring occasionally. The shrimp will start to turn pink and opaque on the bottom side within 2-3 minutes. Flip or stir them to cook the other side. You’ll know the shrimp are done when they’re fully pink, opaque throughout, and curled into a loose “C” shape. Avoid cooking until they form a tight “O” shape this indicates overcooking and results in tough, rubbery shrimp. The internal temperature should reach 145°F if you’re using a meat thermometer.

5-Step 5: Add the Garlic When the shrimp are nearly done (pink and just turning opaque), add the minced garlic to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Adding the garlic at this stage prevents it from burning garlic cooks much faster than shrimp and can become bitter if added too early. The garlic should become fragrant and slightly golden but not brown.

6-Step 6: Finish with Lemon and Parsley Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the juice of one lemon and the chopped parsley. The residual heat will warm these final ingredients without cooking away the bright, fresh flavors. Toss everything together so the shrimp are well-coated with the garlic butter sauce.

7-Step 7: Serve Immediately Transfer your garlic butter shrimp to a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon any remaining sauce from the pan over the top. Serve right away while hot the texture and flavor are best fresh from the stove. This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread for soaking up the sauce, over pasta, alongside steamed vegetables, or simply on its own as a protein-rich main course.