Pan Seared Shrimp
This pan seared shrimp recipe delivers juicy, tender shrimp with a golden crust using simple seasonings, garlic butter, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Ready in minutes, it’s the perfect quick dinner option that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, salads, or your favorite coastal-inspired sides.
Servings: 4
Calories: 207kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Shrimp cleaned, peeled, and deveined
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter optional
- 1 tbsp Garlic minced
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 tsp Sazon Complete
- ¾ tsp Kosher Salt
- ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Pat the deveined shrimp dry using clean paper towels. Removing excess water is critical for getting a nice sear instead of steaming. Let shrimp sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before cooking. Chop parsley & garlic set aside. Place a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and butter. Once butter melts, add garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, do not brown garlic.
- Place shrimp in a single layer in the hot pan. Do not crowd them. If needed, cook in a second batch to avoid steaming. Season shrimp evenly with Old Bay, Sazón Complete, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on the first side without moving them. This creates that golden crust. Flip and cook the second side for another 1-2 minutes. You’ll know the shrimp are done when: They turn opaque pink and they feel firm but still tender. Avoid overcooking.
- Turn off heat. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and toss shrimp gently. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions
- Swap olive oil for avocado oil
- Use clarified butter for a richer sear
- Add chili powder or onion powder for a spicier version
- Turn this into cajun shrimp with additional Cajun seasoning
- Make it shrimp scampi style by adding white wine, red pepper flakes, and extra garlic
Nutrition
Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 281mg | Sodium: 753mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 1mg