Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus Recipe
A quick and flavorful Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus recipe that combines succulent shrimp sautéed with fresh garlic and tender asparagus. Enhanced with bright lemon juice and zest, this dish makes a perfect healthy dinner ready in under 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Asparagus
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
Seasonings and Cooking
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Trim the Asparagus: Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus stalks and then cut the remaining stalks into 2-inch pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
- Cook the Garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the aroma is fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and become opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Asparagus: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the asparagus pieces and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they are tender-crisp, maintaining some bite and bright color.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the asparagus. Add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and optional butter. Toss everything together and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the butter to melt smoothly.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley and sprinkle red pepper flakes on top if desired for a touch of heat. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can omit butter for a dairy-free version, using only olive oil.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit if sensitive to heat.
- Serve with cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread to make a complete meal.
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor, but frozen shrimp works fine if thawed properly.
- Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Asparagus stalk thickness may affect cooking time; thicker stalks might require a minute or two longer.
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp, asparagus recipe, quick shrimp dinner, healthy shrimp skillet, easy seafood dinner
