Description
This Hawaiian Style Garlic Shrimp recipe delivers tender, juicy shrimp sautéed in a buttery garlic sauce with a hint of lemon and traditional Hawaiian sea salt. Perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner, it cooks in just 15 minutes and pairs beautifully with rice for a satisfying meal inspired by the beaches of Hawaii.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp & Seasonings
- 1 pound large uncooked shrimp
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse Hawaiian sea salt (or regular coarse sea salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Juice from half of a large lemon
Cooking Fats & Flavorings
- 5 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet and garlic: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Allow the butter to melt while stirring gently, then add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant and starts to caramelize slightly, releasing its rich aroma into the oil and butter mixture.
- Add seasonings and remaining fats: Pour in the lemon juice, coarse Hawaiian sea salt, black pepper, and paprika to the skillet. Stir well to combine all flavors evenly. Then, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir again and continue to simmer gently for about 2 minutes to allow the sauce to meld and slightly thicken.
- Cook the shrimp: Carefully add the uncooked shrimp into the skillet, spreading them out for even cooking. Cook the shrimp in the sauce for 2 minutes on one side until it turns orange/pink, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. Shrimp cooks quickly; it’s done once both sides have that bright orange color and are opaque inside.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the garlic shrimp hot over a bed of steamed rice, spooning the flavorful buttery garlic sauce generously over the top. Enjoy your Hawaiian-inspired meal!
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture, but thawed frozen shrimp will also work well.
- Do not overcook the shrimp as they will become tough and rubbery; the bright orange color is a good indicator for doneness.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes along with the paprika.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice or garlic butter noodles.
- Substitute salted butter with unsalted if you prefer to control the saltiness more precisely.
