Lemon Pepper Shrimp
This lemon pepper shrimp is buttery, bright, and ready in just 10 minutes – which makes it perfect for those nights when you want something that feels special but don’t have time for anything complicated. You’ll make a quick lemon pepper seasoning with fresh zest and cracked black pepper, then toss it with pan-seared shrimp and a little butter. Serve it over rice with your favorite veggie, and you’ve got a weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor. It’s naturally gluten-free and works great for meal prep, too.
It feels weeknight fancy, without the effort.
I love this recipe because it’s one of those meals that makes weeknights feel fancy without any extra effort.
While store-bought lemon pepper seasoning is great, making your own has so much more fresh flavor AND can be done in just a minute or two. It’s…
🍤 Restaurant-quality at home: That fresh lemon zest and butter make it taste like something you’d pay $25 for at a seafood place.
⚡ Ready in 10 minutes: From start to finish, you’re looking at just 5 minutes prep and 5 minutes to cook.
🧈 Made with pantry staples: Just shrimp, butter, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper, you probably already have these staples.
🍚 Endlessly flexible: Serve it over rice, toss it with pasta, or pile it on crusty bread, you’ve got options!
👨👩👧👦 Mild enough for picky eaters: The bright lemon flavor isn’t overpowering, so even kids tend to like it.
You’ll also want to try my crispy baked cod, panko salmon, shrimp fajitas, or shrimp quesadillas next time.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to bring this weeknight shrimp dinner to the table: raw large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on or tail-off), one fresh lemon for zesting, freshly cracked black pepper, kosher salt, olive oil, fresh garlic cloves, and butter.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Use the biggest shrimp you can find. Jumbo shrimp hold up better to the quick, high heat and stay juicy. If you can only find smaller shrimp, watch them closely because they’ll cook even faster (sometimes in just 2 minutes).
- Feeding kids without pressure: I would recommend serving a small piece of shrimp in a pinch bowl (taster bowl) if it’s a new or learning-to-like it food. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and/or bread and butter.
- Additions: Toss in baby spinach or arugula right at the end—it’ll wilt perfectly in the residual heat. A splash of white wine before adding the butter makes it even more restaurant-style. For a heartier meal, stir the shrimp into cooked pasta with a little reserved pasta water.
Lemon Pepper Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This lemon pepper shrimp is ready in just 10 minutes with butter, fresh lemon zest, and garlic. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special!
Ingredients
- rice for serving
- 1 large lemon zested (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 lbs. raw shrimp
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 Tbsp. butter
Instructions
- Prepare rice and vegetable.
- Make lemon pepper seasoning. Zest lemon and place in a small bowl. Stir in freshly cracked pepper, and kosher salt. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and garlic to skillet and cook for 2-4 minutes, until almost cooked through. Add butter to shrimp and sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning over shrimp. Toss to coat. Cook another 30-60 seconds until fragrant and shrimp are opaque.
- Serve over rice with a veggie on the side.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a hot skillet, being careful not to overcook or the shrimp will become tough and rubbery. You can freeze it for 2-3 months, but it’s definitely best enjoyed fresh.
Ingredients: Use the largest raw shrimp you can find. Tail-on has better flavor, but tail-off works if you prefer easier eating. Fresh lemon zest is key here, and high-quality butter makes a noticeable difference in the final dish.
Prep ahead: You can make the lemon pepper seasoning mix up to 2 days ahead and store it in a small container. Have your shrimp peeled, deveined, and patted dry in the fridge.
Tools: A microplane zester makes getting lemon zest super easy and gives you the finest texture.
Serve with: This shrimp is incredibly versatile. Serve it over rice, pasta, on top of grilled bread, or with crusty sourdough for dipping in the buttery sauce. Add a fresh veggie or simple salad on the side to round things out.
Serving Suggestions
All this healthy shrimp dinner recipe needs is a side or two. I love to serve it with a veggie and a carb – here are some of our favorites:
- Rice or cauliflower rice
- On top of pasta
- Garlic bread
- Haricot verts
- Air fryer broccoli
- Frozen broccoli
- Bok choy stir fry
- Sautéed cabbage
- Veggie stir fry
More Shrimp Recipes
If you like this lemon pepper shrimp recipe, you might also like some of these other easy seafood recipes:
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer and founder of My Everyday Table, where she helps busy families take the stress out of weeknight dinners. With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily specializes in simple, nourishing recipes and weekly meal plans that actually work for everyday life. She’s a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who believes delicious food and good nutrition go hand in hand.
Get started: Weeknight Dinners Guide | Weekly Meal Plans | About Emily
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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Wonderful recipe