Irresistible seafood dinner with shrimp in lemon butter sauce
Well-cooked shrimp are meaty, juicy, and tender. They taste buttery and salty with a hint of sweetness from the caramelisation that happens when they are seared in the pan. They may be seasoned and served in any number of ways, but one option that is sure to be a hit every time is serving them with a chilli and garlic lemon butter sauce for shrimp.
Though this sauce made with cream and butter is velvety rich, the acidity of the lemon juice keeps it light and refreshing. As such, it is perfect for delicate seafood, including shrimp. Its round, buttery flavour mirrors some of the qualities of the tender shrimp themselves while the tartness of the lemon serves to brighten the dish and make their delicate flavour pop.
A spicy touch of garlic and red pepper flakes
To turn up the heat in these delicate shrimp in lemon butter sauce, we have chosen to add a few chilli flakes and garlic. The mild flavour of the fresh, slightly acidic, and creamy lemon butter sauce for shrimp lends itself well to a bit of hotness. Since its flavour as well as that of the seafood is quite delicate, though, not a lot of spice is needed. Especially not when the chilli flakes and garlic are allowed to infuse.
Cooking the chilli flakes for just half a minute allows their bold flavours to grow even stronger which is why a little goes a long way. Adding chilli flakes at the beginning of the cooking time spices up the entire dish rather than only providing pops of heat as adding them at the end does. When cooked, the pungent garlic becomes buttery and a little sweet. Together, the two aromatics flavour the sauce as well as the mild-tasting shrimp wonderfully.
If these tasty shrimp in lemon butter sauce have enticed you, you can find more inspiration on delicious seafood dishes in our recipes for seafood soup with lobster skewers, crab soup, and fish soup with saffron.
How to serve shrimp with lemon butter sauce
It is delicious as is, so, of course, you can serve it as it is with pieces of crusty bread to soak up the goodness of the shrimp and lemon butter sauce with garlic and chilli flakes.
But, if you are in the mood for something more filling, there are many other delicious ways to serve it. One idea is to plate it with nutty couscous or beautiful saffron rice. This yellow rice is cooked with vegetable stock and saffron to give it a savoury flavour with earthy and floral undertones. The combination of tender shrimp, spicy and creamy sauce, and decorative rice make for a luxurious meal.
Another classic option we highly suggest is shrimp pasta in lemon butter sauce. Tossed with freshly cooked pasta, the delicate grilled shrimp and delicate sauce truly get to shine. Choose a wide, flat pasta type like pappardelle or tagliatelle that will soak up all the creaminess.
Add your own touch
If you want to add vegetables to make these shrimp in lemon butter sauce more colourful and filling, sweet, baked tomatoes, slightly bitter, sautéed spinach, and steamed, snappy asparagus and broccoli are all wonderful options. You can also add freshly chopped dill, which is amazing with fish and seafood, to add a citrusy fresh taste. Each will add something different but equally delicious to it.
To avoid overcooking the delicate shrimp in lemon butter sauce, prepare your vegetables of choice separately before you start and add them when you add the easy lemon butter cream whether you opt for grilling, baking, or blanching the vegetables beforehand. This way, you make sure they are warm when you are ready to serve your vegetables and shrimp with lemon butter sauce.
