Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp: A Simple and Flavorful Recipe

This recipe for baked shrimp with garlic butter is a delightful dish that combines buttery, garlicky flavors in a quick and easy preparation. Inspired by two popular Kitchn recipes, it offers a full-flavored shrimp experience in under an hour. The shrimp is marinated in a simple garlic mixture and then baked to perfection. It can be served alongside rice pilaf, orzo, creamy polenta, or crusty bread.

Ingredients :

• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 medium lemons, divided
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 pounds uncooked extra-jumbo shrimp (16 to 20 per pound)
• 1 small bunch fresh parsley
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• Serving options: Crusty bread, orzo, rice pilaf, or creamy polenta

Marinade for Baked Shrimp:
To create the marinade, finely chop six cloves of garlic and transfer half of it to a baking dish. The other half will be used for the garlic butter. Add the zest of one lemon, a tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the baking dish. Mix everything together. Clean and devein the shrimp, then toss them in the garlic mixture until well-coated. Let the shrimp marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Baking Temperature and Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400°F, as this is the ideal temperature for baking shrimp. It ensures that the shrimp remain tender and not mushy. It’s recommended to peel the shrimp before baking to allow the garlic flavors to infuse well. However, you can remove the tails if desired.

Customizing the Recipe:
If you’re not a fan of garlic, you can easily customize the flavors according to your preferences. Substitute ginger for garlic and cilantro for parsley. The cooking method remains the same, allowing for a versatile and enjoyable dish.

Garlic Butter and Baking:
While the shrimp marinates, prepare the garlic butter. Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan and add the reserved garlic. Squeeze the juice from the zested lemon and cook until the garlic is tender. Pour the lemon-garlic butter over the shrimp and toss to combine. Bake the shrimp in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until they are opaque and cooked through.

Garnish and Serving:
Garnish the baked shrimp with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges for an added burst of citrus flavor. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

This baked shrimp recipe with garlic butter is a straightforward and delicious option for seafood lovers. With its rich flavors and quick preparation time, it’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as an appetizer.