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pan seared shrimp with lemon butter and pasta in a white bowl

Pan Seared Shrimp with Lemon Butter

This Pan Seared Shrimp recipe will show you how to pan fry shrimp in a hot skillet on the stove. This dish is seasoned with herbs and spices, and drizzled in a homemade lemon butter sauce. Serve this with any of your favorite side dishes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 144 kcal

Ingredients
  

Lemon Butter Glaze

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice For me this was the juice from 1 small lemon.
  • 1 1/2-2 teaspoons lemon zest

Instructions
 

Lemon Butter Glaze

  • Add the butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a saucepan on medium-high heat. Stir and cook until the lemon zest has dissolved.

Seared Shrimp

  • Ensure the shrimp is completely dry.
  • Sprinkle both sides of the shrimp with lemon pepper, paprika, and salt to taste. Rub the spices into the shrimp.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or butter to a skillet on medium-high heat.
  • When hot, add the seasoned shrimp. Do not overcrowd the pan. The shrimp shouldn't touch. Cook the shrimp in batches if needed.
  • Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp is cooked through. It will turn opaque at the center. The shrimp will form a C shape when fully cooked.
  • Top the shrimp with the lemon butter glaze.

Notes

Feel free to season the shrimp with any of your favorite spices or seafood rubs.
Cooked shrimp will turn pink and opaque. The shrimp will also become firm when you touch it. Perfectly cooked shrimp usually has a C-shape, as opposed to a tightly curled O shape.
Overcooked shrimp is grayish-white in color. The flesh is tough and rubbery. It is difficult to chew and may have a mushy texture. You can avoid overcooked shrimp by not cooking it for too long and by following the tips above. Shrimp only takes a few minutes to cook!

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 144kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 15gFat: 8g
Keyword how to pan fry shrimp, pan sauteed shrimp, pan seared shrimp
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