Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

creamy garlic shrimp

Creamy Garlic Shrimp is the ultimate easy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamiest, most flavorful garlic shrimp sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Breakfast Enchiladas and Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken..

Creamy Garlic Shrimp in a white bowl on a dark wooden surface
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Why This Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort

  • The easiest, creamiest garlic shrimp sauce ever.
  • Ready in just 20 minutes.
  • Better than takeout and way cheaper.

What You'll Need for Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

  • 1 lb shrimp
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Parsley
  • Optional: Lemon wedges
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese
Raw ingredients for creamy garlic shrimp on a marble surface

đź“ť Ingredient Notes

  • shrimp: Frozen, thawed shrimp works great.

đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend

Plated creamy garlic shrimp with parsley garnish on a white plate

How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

  1. Sear shrimp: Melt butter in a pan, add shrimp, cook until pink. Remove from pan.
  2. Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the pan, cook until fragrant.
  3. Make sauce: Pour in heavy cream, simmer until thickened. Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.
  4. Combine: Return shrimp to the pan, toss in sauce. Garnish with parsley.
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Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

  • Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the shrimp. They'll turn rubbery. Remove them from the pan as soon as they're pink.
  • Pro tip: Use frozen, thawed shrimp. They're often fresher than fresh.
  • Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.

Storing & Reheating Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Make the sauce ahead, reheat, then add shrimp to warm sauce.

Freezing Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

Freeze cooked shrimp in the sauce for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Recipe Notes

  • Chef tip: Use unsalted butter for better control of the seasoning.
  • Best substitution: Use chicken or tofu for a non-seafood version.
  • Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead, reheat, then add shrimp.
  • Scaling: This recipe easily scales up for a crowd.
  • Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry.

Want to level up this recipe?

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Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout

Plated creamy garlic shrimp with parsley garnish on a white plate
⏱
Prep
10 minutes
🍳
Cook
10 minutes
⏳
Total
20 minutes
🍽
Serves
4 servings
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Diet
Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb shrimp
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter

Seasonings

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Parsley

Optional Toppings

  • Lemon wedges
  • Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Sear shrimp: Melt butter in a pan, add shrimp, cook until pink. Remove from pan.
  2. Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the pan, cook until fragrant.
  3. Make sauce: Pour in heavy cream, simmer until thickened. Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.
  4. Combine: Return shrimp to the pan, toss in sauce. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

  • Chef tip: Use unsalted butter for better control of the seasoning.
  • Best substitution: Use chicken or tofu for a non-seafood version.
  • Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead, reheat, then add shrimp.
  • Scaling: This recipe easily scales up for a crowd.
  • Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry.

Storage

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze cooked shrimp in the sauce for up to 2 months.
  • Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
  • Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
  • Make ahead: Make the sauce ahead, reheat, then add shrimp to warm sauce.

Nutrition Per Serving

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 25g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Cholesterol: 270mg
  • Sat. Fat: 15g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout FAQs

Can I make this ahead?

Make the sauce ahead, reheat, then add shrimp to warm sauce.

Why did my shrimp turn rubbery?

They were overcooked. Remove them from the pan as soon as they're pink.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, frozen, thawed shrimp works great. They're often fresher than fresh.

How do I make it spicy?

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.

What's the best way to reheat this?

Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!

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