Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove!)

Name: Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (How To!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp salted butter; 1 lb shrimp (shelled, de-veined, & cleaned); 2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp fresh parsley

Jump to Recipe

Pan seared shrimp is a quick, simple, and tasty seafood recipe! This versatile recipe, made with butter, fresh herbs, and simple seasonings, takes less than 10 minutes to prepare on the stove. This juicy, tender shrimp is an excellent nutritious protein for a busy midweek dinner!

Looking for more quick shrimp recipes? Look at my Super Easy Boom Boom Shrimp Recipe (Spicy!), and my Best Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta.

seared shrimp on a plate with fresh parsley on top

Jump to:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pan Seared Shrimp Ingredients & Substitutions
Equipment
How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove Top
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptions
Stove Cooking Shrimp Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Weeknight Meals
Recipe
Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (How To!)
💬 Comments

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One of my favorite protein sources is shrimp! It's tasty, simple, and adaptable.

It's also a reasonably priced seafood alternative and a terrific choice for a healthy diet.

I think I've experimented with a lot of different cooking techniques! But my absolute favorite is pan searing. This is the reason:

Fast & Simple: I believe that seared shrimp is the quickest and easiest dinner recipe I have ever prepared. In less than 15 minutes, everything will be ready! Excellent for a hectic weeknight dinner.
Healthy: A great source of protein is shrimp! Omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients abound in it. It is also extremely low in fat and calories.
Shrimp are perfectly soft and juicy when they are pan-seared.
Golden Brown: In addition, the outside develops a lovely crispy golden brown. which
I adore! Some of those delicious browned bits will also come from the pan's bottom. You know if you do.
Versatile: There are numerous ways to season and savor this easy shrimp recipe! For all of my suggestions and variants, see the post in its entirety below.

close up shot of garlic butter shrimp in a pan on the stove

Pan Seared Shrimp Ingredients & Substitutions

This simple pan-seared shrimp recipe requires almost no ingredients! All you need are fresh shrimp, herbs, and pantry essentials.

Here's what you can grab:

pan seared shrimp ingredients measured out on a white table

This delectable dinner calls for one pound of shrimp! I prefer to buy already cleaned, shelled, and de-veined shrimp at the grocery store or market. It's an easy method to save time.
Butter: 2 tablespoons butter gives this shrimp a fantastic flavor and a lovely sear. You might also use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or veggie oil.
Fresh Parsley: I enjoy adding ½ tablespoon of fresh parsley to this recipe! It imparts a clear, peppery, and earthy flavor. It also makes for an absolutely stunning presentation! You can also substitute different fresh herbs. Perhaps use fresh cilantro or basil.
Seasonings: I love the simple seasonings used in this quick dish! 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper provide a rather neutral flavor, allowing this shrimp to be utilized in a variety of ways. It can be served on top of a Mediterranean salad, in a taco bowl, or on top of a large bowl of creamy pasta!

Ingredients for pan seared shrimp are measured out on a white table.

Equipment

Spoons and Measuring Cup
Large Skillet
Wooden Cooking Utensil
Chef Knife
Cutting Board

How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove Top

First, dry the shrimp. First, use a paper towel to pat the shrimp dry completely.

Second, season the shrimp.Then, in a big bowl, combine the shrimp, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Mix well, making sure the seasoning mix coats every shrimp.

raw shrimp coated in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper

Cook the shrimp in step three. On the stove, heat a big skillet over medium heat. Add the butter once it's heated. Add the shrimp to the skillet after the butter is sizzling. Spread in a single, equal layer. Cook until charred, about 2 to 3 minutes on one side. Repeat on the opposite side after flipping.

Step 4: Final touches: Mix with some fresh parsley. If necessary, add more salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 5: Present and savor! Serve the cooked shrimp with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and additional melted butter.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptions

Although I think this dish is fantastic the way it is, you can always modify it to suit your own tastes or requirements. Here are a few variations:

Butterfly the Shrimp: Changing things up is easy with butterflying shrimp! It gives the shrimp a distinctive appearance and facilitates more even cooking. Check out these detailed instructions!
Various Seasonings: Changing the seasonings is the best way to add some variation to this dish! The technique is the most crucial aspect of this recipe; the components, particularly the flavors, are actually highly interchangeable. Red pepper flakes, onion powder, and Italian seasoning are a few excellent additions. Even a premade blend, such as taco seasoning or seafood old bay seasoning, might be used!

Garnishes and Finishing Touches: A few garnishes and finishing touches may really make this simple yet delicious shrimp dish pop. Fresh lime juice, lemon zest, or lemon wedges are my favorite ways to incorporate citrus! It's also usually a good idea to top with extra melted butter.

Are you looking for a completely different way to cook shrimp? I suggest looking at my Super Easy Boom Boom Shrimp Recipe (Spicy!).

Stove Cooking Shrimp Expert Tips

To consistently get flawless pan-seared shrimp, adhere to the following strategies and tricks:

Go to the grocery store and buy shrimp that have already been cleaned, de-veined, and shelled. I can assure you that this will save your life! Time-saving as well. Here's how to prepare shrimp yourself if you can't locate them already prepared!
Before adding the raw shrimp to the pan, pat them dry completely. This aids in the sear once again!
It makes a big difference what pan or skillet you use to sear shrimp on the stove!
For any kind of searing, I suggest using cast iron pans instead of non-stick ones. primarily because cast iron skillets hold heat better, which is essential for pan searing. Furthermore, using non-stick cookware at high temperatures is not recommended.
Make sure the shrimp are in a hot skillet to achieve a gorgeous golden brown sear.
Giving the shrimp lots of space in the pan is essential for nicely charred shrimp. Avoid crowding! The shrimp will steam instead than sear if the pan is too full.
Don't cook the shrimp too much! You don't want overcooked shrimp to have a brittle, rubbery texture. The shrimp cooks in around 4-6 minutes overall, with 2-3 minutes spent on each side. The size of the shrimp will determine the precise frying time, but just keep a watch on them. Particularly on shrimp that are smaller! It will quickly come to a boil.
For the most part, don't disturb the shrimp! Don't touch the shrimp until it's time to flip them after you've first spread them out. After flipping, wait until they are finished before touching them again.

Serving Suggestions

There are numerous ways to serve these succulent shrimp! These are my thoughts:

Toss it in a wrap: Put this seared shrimp in a big tortilla along with some cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauce. All of this comes together to make a delicious and easy lunch or dinner.
Add it to a salad. In my opinion, nothing beats a salad with some seared or grilled shrimp on top. It's one of my favorite restaurant orders. You may use my Mediterranean Chopped Salad to prepare it at home!
Serve with a carbs and a vegetable: You may serve this simple protein as a main course with any kind of side dish. For the ideal well-rounded dinner, I suggest a carbs source, such as Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes or Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, and a vegetable.
This is possibly my favorite way to eat these delicious shrimp: on top of spaghetti. It complements my Greek Yogurt Alfredo Pasta so well.
Lettuce wraps: This easy seafood dish is a great way to keep carbs down. For all of my lettuce wrap advice, as tuna wraps.

I promise that this shrimp will taste great either way you decide to eat it!

pan seared shrimp on a white plate with fresh parsley

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp in this recipe?

Yes, I fail to see why not! Before using, just thaw the frozen shrimp.

What type of pan should I use for this recipe?

I suggest pan-searing shrimp in a skillet or cast iron pan! The lovely sear we want won't be developed in a non-stick skillet.

How to know when the shrimp is cooked?

When the shrimp turns white with pink and crimson flecks, from gray and somewhat translucent, you know it's done. When it's cooked, the shrimp will also curl up like the letter "C."
As an alternative, you can check the shrimp's internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should rise to 120 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
The shrimp should be cooked for two to three minutes on each side. However, this duration may be somewhat longer if you're using larger shrimp, such as jumbo shrimp.
You may always cut into a shrimp to make sure it's cooked through if you're worried. The most reliable method is always this one!

How to best store this recipe?

Shrimp leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container. The best shelf life is three days!
I suggest putting it back in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat to reheat. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until just warmed through.

If you tried this Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove!) or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!

More Easy Weeknight Meals

Recipe