Garlic Butter Shrimp with White Wine (Easy 20-Minute Recipe)
This garlic butter shrimp with white wine is a quick and flavorful dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. Juicy shrimp are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of white wine and fresh herbs, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
A little parsley at the end freshens everything up and gives the skillet that final pop of color. Serve it straight from the pan or spoon it into bowls with toasted baguette, and you have an easy meal that looks as good as it tastes.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It comes together in about 20 minutes
- The sauce is rich, garlicky, and bright with lemon
- You only need one skillet
- It works for a quick weeknight dinner or casual entertaining
- Bread, pasta, or rice all pair well with it
Ingredients
Candy base
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (675 g), peeled and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finish
- 3 tablespoons butter (45 g)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup white wine (80 ml)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
- 1 to 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- Baguette or bread
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Shrimp: Large shrimp are ideal here because they stay juicy and are less likely to overcook. Pat them dry before cooking for better color.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is a good choice if you want more control over the seasoning.
- Olive oil: Use enough to lightly coat the pan and help the shrimp sear without the butter browning too fast.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the sauce its best flavor. Since there are five cloves, mince it finely so it melts into the sauce.
- White wine: A dry white wine works best. If needed, swap it with chicken broth for a non-alcohol version.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice gives the cleanest, brightest flavor.
- Chili flakes: These are optional, but they add a nice light heat to balance the butter.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley is the best finishing herb here and helps cut through the richness.
How to Make Garlic, Butter and White Wine Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp dry, then season them with salt and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and about 1 tablespoon of the butter.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and lightly golden. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer for 1 to 2 minutes so it reduces slightly.
- Add the remaining butter and the chili flakes, if using. Stir until the butter melts into the sauce.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat well.
- Sprinkle in the chopped parsley and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce looks glossy.
- Serve immediately with baguette or bread for dipping into the sauce.
Expert Tips
- Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning so they sear instead of steaming.
- Keep the shrimp in a single layer for the best color.
- Remove the shrimp as soon as they turn pink and opaque to avoid a rubbery texture.
- Cook the garlic briefly so it softens and perfumes the sauce without burning.
- Use a dry white wine for a cleaner flavor.
- Add the butter near the end for a smoother, silkier sauce.
- Taste the sauce before serving and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Serve with warm bread so none of the sauce goes to waste.
Storage & Freezing
- Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of water, broth, or a little extra lemon juice.
- You can freeze the cooked shrimp for up to 1 month, but the texture is best when the dish is freshly made. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Freezing the sauce alone is not ideal because butter sauces can separate after thawing.
Variations
- Add extra chili flakes for more heat
- Use a mix of parsley and chives for a different herb finish
- Add lemon zest for a stronger citrus note
- Stir in capers for a salty, briny flavor
- Serve the shrimp over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes instead of bread
Garlic, Butter and White Wine Shrimp Recipe
Tender shrimp cooked in a buttery garlic and white wine sauce with lemon, parsley, and optional chili flakes. This quick skillet dinner is especially good with warm bread for dipping.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine and lemon juice. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the remaining butter and chili flakes, if using. Stir until the butter melts into the sauce.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat.
- Add the chopped parsley and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until heated through.
- Serve immediately with baguette or bread.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Patting the shrimp dry helps them sear better.
- Fresh garlic gives the best flavor here.
- Use a dry white wine for a balanced sauce.
- Chicken broth can replace the wine if needed.
- Add more chili flakes if you want extra heat.
- Do not overcook the shrimp or they can turn firm.
- This dish is best served right away while the sauce is still glossy.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!FAQs
What should I serve with it?
Baguette, toasted bread, pasta, rice, or even roasted vegetables all work well.
Can I make this without wine?
Yes. Chicken broth is the easiest substitute and still gives you a flavorful pan sauce.
What type of shrimp should I use?
Large shrimp work best because they stay tender and make the dish feel hearty.
How do I know when shrimp are done?
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw them completely and pat them dry well before cooking.
Is this dish spicy?
It is mild unless you add the chili flakes. You can leave them out or increase them depending on your taste.
Key Takeaways
- Garlic Butter and White Wine Shrimp Recipe takes only 20 minutes to prepare and is perfect for weeknight dinners.
- The dish features juicy shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce with lemon and white wine for added brightness.
- You only need one skillet, making cleanup easy, and it pairs well with bread, pasta, or rice.
- Variations include using chicken broth instead of wine and adding extra chili flakes for more heat.
- Expert tips include not overcooking the shrimp and storing leftovers properly for best texture.
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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
