Garlic Butter Shrimp Broccoli

Featured in: Simple Weeknight Dinners

This vibrant dish combines tender shrimp with crisp-tender broccoli, all enveloped in a rich garlic butter sauce. Cooking everything in one pan simplifies cleanup while creating a flavorful meal. Aromatics like garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh lemon brighten the flavors, complemented by a touch of crushed red pepper flakes. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, it's a quick, easy, and tasty option for busy nights. Perfect served alongside steamed rice or your favorite grain alternative.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:56:00 GMT
Savory One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli with vibrant colors and fresh herbs.  Save
Savory One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli with vibrant colors and fresh herbs. | dunebasil.com

A vibrant, flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp and crisp-tender broccoli tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce&mdashall cooked in a single pan for easy cleanup.

This dish quickly became a family favorite because it combines delicious flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

  • Seafood: 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • Vegetables: 3 cups (about 300 g) broccoli florets, 1 small red bell pepper sliced (optional for color)
  • Aromatics & Flavor: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional), 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, Zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Step 1:
Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and lemon zest. Set aside.
Step 2:
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the broccoli florets (and red bell pepper if using). Season with a pinch of salt and sauté for 3–4 minutes until broccoli is bright green and just starting to soften.
Step 3:
Push the vegetables to the side of the pan. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the cleared space. Let the garlic sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4:
Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2 minutes per side or until shrimp are pink and opaque.
Step 5:
Add lemon juice and toss everything together to coat in the garlic butter. Remove from heat.
Step 6:
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Succulent One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli dish garnished with lemon wedges.  Save
Succulent One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli dish garnished with lemon wedges. | dunebasil.com

This recipe has brought many happy family dinners filled with laughter and conversation around the table.

Required Tools

Large skillet or sauté pan, cutting board, chefs knife, spatula or wooden spoon

Allergen Information

Contains shellfish (shrimp) and dairy (butter). For a dairy-free version, use olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. Always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 235, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 22 g per serving

Delicious One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli served with a hint of lemon zest. Save
Delicious One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli served with a hint of lemon zest. | dunebasil.com

This simple, delicious meal always feels like a special treat with minimal effort.

Recipe FAQs

How should I prepare the shrimp before cooking?

Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and lemon zest to enhance flavor before cooking.

Can I substitute the broccoli with other vegetables?

Yes, asparagus or snap peas work well as alternatives, offering a similar crisp texture and fresh taste.

What is the best pan to use for this dish?

A large skillet or sauté pan is ideal for even cooking and easy tossing of ingredients in one pan.

How do I make this dish dairy-free?

Replace butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative to keep it dairy-free while maintaining richness.

What sides complement this garlic butter shrimp and broccoli?

Steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice are excellent accompaniments that soak up the flavorful sauce.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Broccoli

Succulent shrimp and crisp broccoli tossed in garlic butter, cooked together in a single pan for quick preparation.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
25 minutes
Recipe by Dune Basil Lea Romano


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Information No Gluten, Reduced-Carb

What You'll Need

Seafood

01 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Vegetables

01 3 cups broccoli florets (about 300 g)
02 1 small red bell pepper, sliced (optional)

Aromatics & Flavor

01 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 4 cloves garlic, minced
03 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
04 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 Zest of 1 lemon
06 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
02 Lemon wedges, for serving

How to Make It

Step 01

Season shrimp: Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and lemon zest. Set aside.

Step 02

Sauté vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli florets and red bell pepper if using. Season lightly with salt and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until broccoli is vibrant and begins to soften.

Step 03

Cook garlic: Push vegetables to one side of the pan. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to cleared space. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 04

Cook shrimp: Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the pan. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque.

Step 05

Combine and finish: Pour fresh lemon juice over shrimp and vegetables. Toss to evenly coat with garlic butter sauce. Remove from heat.

Step 06

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Essential Tools

  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Spatula or wooden spoon

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergies, and talk to your doctor if you're uncertain.
  • Contains shellfish (shrimp) and dairy (butter).

Nutrition per serving

Nutritional details are for reference only. They're not a substitute for medical advice.
  • Energy: 235
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Proteins: 22 g