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Home » Recipes for One » Dinner for One

Quick Garlic Shrimp for One

by Allison Campbell · Last updated May 22, 2026 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This single-serve garlic shrimp is a quick seafood dinner made with fresh garlic, butter, and lemon. It's a fast weeknight recipe that comes together in under 15 minutes and works well for busy evenings or weekends. Unlike heavier shrimp recipes, this version keeps things light and bright with just a handful of simple ingredients.

A white plate of cooked shrimp garnished with chopped parsley and crispy garlic bits, served with two lemon wedges on the side.

Some recipes require trips to multiple stores just to find all of the required ingredients. This is not one of those recipes. 😉 This garlic shrimp recipe keeps things simple while still tasting like something you'd order at a cozy little seafood restaurant.

And the magic here is in the timing. Shrimp cook incredibly fast, which means dinner can happen before you even finish debating whether cereal counts as a meal. (It does sometimes, but I digress.)

Lastly, can we just talk about the sauce for a minute? If you're a fellow garlic butter lover like myself, I give you full permission to indulge here. It is soooo good with the fresh lemony shrimp.

Follow along, I'll show you how to make it.

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🌿 Ingredients

Top-down view of labeled ingredients for garlic shrimp: raw shrimp, half a lemon, parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, unsalted butter, and a small bowl of salt & pepper on a white marble countertop.

Look for medium raw shrimp at the fish counter of your local grocery store. I like to use peeled and deveined shrimp for easy prep.

See recipe card below for exact quantities.

⚙️ Equipment recommendation

A medium skillet (affiliate link) works well for this recipe. A basic colander (affiliate link) is also handy for rinsing the shrimp.

📝 Instructions

Chopped garlic sizzling in hot oil and butter in a stainless steel skillet, beginning to brown and release aroma, with bubbles visible around the garlic pieces.
Warm the oil & butter over medium heat and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds.
Shrimp cooking in a stainless steel pan with bits of minced garlic and oil, showing a slightly pink color as they sauté.
Cook the shrimp for 1-2 min per side until pink & opaque, and add the lemon juice.

🥧 Serving suggestions

Garlic shrimp pairs perfectly with a side of rice, pasta, or alongside some crispy Italian bread. You could also include a fresh salad or some roasted vegetables for a full dinner. I love making a small batch of steamed broccoli with this shrimp dish.

🍳 Recipe

A plate of cooked shrimp garnished with chopped parsley and crispy garlic bits, served with two lemon wedges on the side.

Quick Garlic Shrimp for One

Allison Campbell
No ratings yet
This quick garlic shrimp for one is packed with flavor and ready in under 15 minutes. A simple shrimp dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Total Time 12 minutes mins
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 295
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice plus 1-2 wedges for serving
  • 3 ounces raw shrimp about 11-12 medium, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • sea salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • chef's knife
  • colander optional, to rinse and drain the shrimp
  • medium skillet
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Method
 

  1. Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, halve the lemon, and rinse and dry the shrimp.
  2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat, and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds just until fragrant. (Don't let it brown.)
  3. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat and drizzle with the lemon juice.
  5. Serve immediately and garnish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 12gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 485mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 672IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Storage: Best eaten fresh, but leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Frozen shrimp: To thaw, run under lukewarm water for a few minutes and then dry.
Meal Prep: Mince the garlic ahead of time and keep the shrimp thawed in the fridge.
Dairy free: Replace butter with additional olive oil.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd absolutely love for you to leave a review!

🌡️ Food safety tips

  • Cook shellfish thoroughly:
    • Shrimp, lobster, and crab should be opaque and firm
  • Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw shellfish separate from other ingredients.
  • Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw shellfish.
  • Refrigerate cooked shellfish within 2 hours and consume leftovers promptly.
  • People with compromised immune systems may wish to avoid undercooked shellfish.

For more food safety guidance, visit foodsafety.gov.

A white plate with seasoned garlic shrimp garnished with parsley and two lemon wedges on the side. Text on the image reads, “Quick Garlic Shrimp for One - www.onehappydish.com”.

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Hi, I'm Allison! I share fresh, fun single-serve and small batch recipes (without the leftovers.) 🎉

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