Glorious Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet)

Life getting a little hectic lately? I hear you! Trust me, there are nights when the thought of cooking feels like climbing Mount Everest. That’s exactly when I reach for my tried-and-true Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet). Seriously, this dish is my weeknight superhero. It comes together faster than you can say “dinner emergency” and tastes like something you’d get at a fancy restaurant, but without all the fuss. It’s just a single pan, minimal cleanup, and BAM – a flavor explosion that makes everyone happy. I remember one Tuesday evening, I had a million and one things to do, and this popped into my head. Ten minutes later, with the scent of garlic and butter filling the kitchen, dinner was served. Pure magic!

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) Recipe

Seriously, this dish is a game-changer for so many reasons. It’s become an absolute staple in my kitchen, and I bet it will in yours too!

• Lightning Fast: We’re talking dinner on the table in about 25 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for those “I’m starving NOW!” moments.
• Incredibly Easy: If you can chop and stir, you can make this. It’s ridiculously simple with minimal steps.
• Flavor Bomb: That garlic butter sauce? Oh my goodness. It’s rich, bright from the lemon, and totally irresistible.
• One-Pan Wonder: Less mess, less cleanup – my favorite kind of recipe! Everything cooks right in one skillet.
• Healthy & Satisfying: It’s packed with good-for-you protein from the shrimp and fiber from the broccoli. You feel good eating it!
• Super Versatile: Easily adaptable – want a little spice? Add red pepper flakes! Need a side? Rice or pasta is perfect.

Essential Ingredients for Your Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet)

Okay, so to whip up this totally delicious and crazy-easy Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet), you don’t need anything too fancy. It’s all about simple, fresh ingredients that come together like magic. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Make sure they’re nice and ready to go!
• 1 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets (about 1-inch pieces). You want them small enough to cook quickly but big enough to still have a little chew.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced. Don’t be shy with the garlic; it’s the star here! Make sure it’s minced super fine so it really infuses that yummy flavor.
• 1/2 cup butter. Yep, luscious, glorious butter! It’s what makes that sauce so incredibly rich and decadent. Real butter is key here.
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. This is crucial for balancing all that richness and adding a beautiful bright note. Use fresh, not from a bottle if you can!
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. For a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous finish. You can usually find this in the produce section.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Always season as you go, my friends!
• 1 tablespoon olive oil. Just a little bit to get things started in the skillet and help brown the shrimp perfectly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet)

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness made! Honestly, making this Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it a million times already. Just follow these steps and you’ll have an amazing dinner on the table in no time. Grab your biggest skillet!

Searing the Shrimp to Perfection

First things first, get that skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat. Drizzle in that tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering – that’s your cue! Carefully add your shrimp in a single layer. We want them to get a little sear, so don’t crowd the pan. Cook ’em for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn beautifully pink and opaque. Nobody likes rubbery shrimp, so once they’re done, scoop ’em out and set them aside on a plate. We’ll bring them back later.

Steaming Broccoli for Tender-Crisp Results

Now, toss those broccoli florets right into the same skillet. Don’t worry about washing it! Add about a quarter cup of water – just enough to create some steam. Pop a lid on top and let that broccoli steam away for 5 to 7 minutes. We’re aiming for that perfect tender-crisp texture. You want it to be bright green and slightly softened, but still have a little bit of a bite to it. You can learn more about how to get that perfect texture here. Nobody likes mushy broccoli!

Crafting the Flavorful Garlic Butter Sauce

Okay, lift that lid off the broccoli and say goodbye to any extra water. Now comes the magic! Turn the heat down to medium and toss in your glorious butter. Let it melt and get all bubbly. Add in all that minced garlic and stir it around for about a minute. You just want it to get fragrant – be careful not to let it burn, or it’ll taste bitter! Then, swirl in the fresh lemon juice and the chopped parsley. Those two just brighten everything up!

Bringing It All Together

Now for the grand finale! Gently return those perfectly cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the broccoli and that heavenly garlic butter sauce. Give everything a good toss to coat. You want every single shrimp and broccoli floret to be swimming in that deliciousness. Serve it up straight from the skillet immediately. Trust me, it’s best enjoyed hot and fresh!

Tips for Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) Success

Even though this dish is super easy, there are a couple of little tricks I’ve learned over the years that just make it sing. Following these will ensure your Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) is absolutely perfect every single time you make it.

Quality Shrimp Matters! Seriously, start with good shrimp. Look for them to be firm and smell fresh, not fishy. If you’re using frozen, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted really dry before they hit the pan. That dryness is key for getting a nice little sear instead of steaming them in the skillet!

Don’t Overcook! This is probably my biggest tip for shrimp and broccoli. Shrimp cook super fast, so a couple of minutes per side is all they need. Same with the broccoli – you want it bright green and *tender-crisp*, not mushy. Trust your eyes and your taste buds on this one. It’s better to err on the side of slightly undercooked than overcooked.

Fresh Garlic is Your Friend: While you *can* use pre-minced garlic in a jar, trust me, fresh cloves make a world of difference here. The aroma when it hits that warm butter is just unbeatable. Mince it finely so it distributes throughout that gorgeous sauce without any big chunks.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

You know, the beauty of this Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) is how simple it is, but even with simple recipes, a few choices can make a big difference. Let’s chat about some of the stars of the show!

For the shrimp, I really prefer using large or jumbo shrimp. They’re just more satisfying, and they hold up so well to the quick cooking without getting all tiny and lost. If you can only find medium, that’s fine too! Just make sure they’re properly peeled and deveined – it saves you a step later. And please, *please* make sure they’re thawed and patted dry if they were frozen. Soggy shrimp? No thank you!

The lemon juice is non-negotiable for me; it’s what cuts through all that rich butter and makes the whole dish pop. Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t have that same bright, zesty kick. Same goes for the fresh parsley – it adds a lovely freshness that dried parsley just can’t replicate. If you absolutely can’t find fresh parsley, a tiny pinch of dried might work in a pinch, but it’s really not the same.

Serving Suggestions for Your Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet)

Now that you’ve whipped up this incredible Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet), you might be wondering what to serve it with to make it a full meal. Honestly, it’s so good on its own, but a few things really take it over the top! My absolute favorite is serving it along with some fluffy rice pilaf – it’s the perfect way to soak up all that amazing garlicky butter sauce. You could also go for some cheesy baked pasta, or even just a chunk of crusty bread to mop up every last delicious drop. Easy peasy!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got some delicious Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) leftovers? Lucky you! To keep it tasting just as amazing, let it cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is on the stovetop. Just toss it back into a skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen things up. Give it a gentle stir until it’s warmed through. Microwaving works too, but you might lose a bit of that lovely texture, so give it a good stir halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet)

Got questions about my go-to Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet)? I get it! Here are some common ones I hear, and my best tips to make sure your dish is a total hit.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! Frozen shrimp is totally fine for this recipe, and honestly, it’s what I often keep stocked in my freezer. The most important thing is to make sure they’re completely thawed before you add them to the hot skillet. To do this, just pop them in a bowl of cold water for about 10-15 minutes, or let them thaw overnight in the fridge. Once they’re thawed, give them a good pat dry with paper towels. This step is crucial so they can get a nice little sear instead of just steaming!

How can I make this recipe spicier?

Oh, I love a little kick too! If you want to spice up your Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet), it’s super easy. My favorite way is to toss in about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes right when you add the minced garlic to the butter. Stir them around for that minute with the garlic, and they’ll infuse into the sauce beautifully. You could also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce at the end if you prefer!

What kind of skillet is best?

For this dish, you really want a skillet that heats evenly and can handle medium-high heat. A good quality stainless steel skillet or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet are my top choices. They both do a fantastic job of getting nice and hot for searing the shrimp and cooking the broccoli evenly. Avoid non-stick pans if you can, as they sometimes don’t get quite hot enough for that perfect shrimp sear, but if that’s all you have, just make sure to preheat it well!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, the nutrition facts for this delicious Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) are estimates. They can totally vary depending on the exact brands of butter, shrimp, or oil you use. But generally, one serving is looking at around 350 calories, with about 25g of fat, 25g of protein, and 10g of carbohydrates. Plus, it’s got a decent amount of sodium, usually around 400mg. It’s a pretty balanced meal!

Share Your Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet) Creations!

Okay, now that you’ve hopefully whipped up this amazing Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli (Skillet), I’d LOVE to hear all about it! Did it become your new go-to weeknight meal? Drop a comment below and tell me what you thought, or give it a star rating if you really loved it! And if you snapped any photos, please, PLEASE tag me on social media. Seeing your kitchen creations makes my day!

Print