As someone who’s always juggling work and life, I love recipes that are both simple and delicious.
This Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp is a lifesaver on busy weekdays.
It’s inspired by my love for seafood and the need for quick, no-fuss meals that taste like they took hours to prepare.
Perfect for when you want to impress without the stress!
This garlic butter shrimp pairs beautifully with a side of fluffy white rice or a light quinoa salad.
For a more indulgent meal, serve it over a bed of creamy pasta.
A crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette also complements the rich flavors of the shrimp perfectly.
Ingredients
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Place the shrimp in the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Pour the butter mixture over the shrimp, ensuring they are well coated.
Cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
Serve immediately with your choice of sides.
How to Store
Let the shrimp cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much.
Freezing not recommended
Cooked shrimp can become rubbery after freezing and reheating, so it’s best to enjoy this dish fresh or within a few days.
Variations:
Spicy Garlic Shrimp: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the butter mixture.
Herb Lovers’ Version: Stir in fresh or dried herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil just before serving for a fresh flavor boost.
Citrus Twist: Swap lemon juice for lime or orange juice for a subtle change in brightness.
Garlic-Lemon Wine Sauce: Add 2 tablespoons of dry white wine to the slow cooker for a deeper, more savory flavor.
Tips:
Use raw shrimp only. Pre-cooked shrimp will become rubbery in the slow cooker.
Avoid overcooking. Check at the 1-hour mark—shrimp should be pink and opaque.
Tail-on or tail-off? Use tail-on shrimp for a prettier presentation or tail-off for easier eating.
Serving suggestion: Spoon extra garlic butter sauce over rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, estimated)
Calories: 240
Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 170mg
Sodium: 380mg
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 20g
Vitamin D: 10% DV
Calcium: 6% DV
Iron: 10% DV
Potassium: 190mg
Note: Values may vary depending on specific brands and portion sizes.