20-Minute Garlic Basil Sautéed Shrimp (Dairy Free)

A short ingredient list, 20-minute cook time, and seriously good flavor make this garlic basil shrimp recipe a reliable go-to for busy weeknight dinners! The shrimp get most of their flavor from a simple pantry-friendly dried spice blend, and fresh basil added after the shrimp are cooked elevates the dish, making it special enough to serve not only to your family but also to dinner guests. Pair it with a salad, a side dish or two, or in a rice bowl for a dinner that’s sure to be a low-effort / high-reward crowd-pleaser.

One of our absolute favorite go-to shrimp recipes

Is there really anything better for a quick-and tasty-dinner than perfectly-seasoned shrimp?!

I don’t think so.

My husband always says that he only really likes shrimp when I make them, ha! What a compliment.

And from my experience it really comes down to seasoning them well.

By tossing the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a flavorful mix of dried spices, you’re guaranteed to serve super yummy shrimp every time – no butter needed!

A simple ingredient list that packs a ton of flavor = what Nyssa’s Kitchen is all about.

We’ve been leaning on this recipe heavily in our summer dinner rotation, and no one has had anything to complain about.

If you think about it, shrimp really is the perfect busy night / summer-weather protein for a few key reasons:

• Cooks up super fast, so no long oven or stove top time required (on hot days this is such a life-saver!)
• It’s the perfect blank canvas for just about any flavor combination you can dream up
• It goes with everything from salads to pasta to rice bowls
• Raw shrimp can be stored in the freezer and defrosted in minutes for the perfect “there’s nothing in the fridge” protein option

Basic pan-seared shrimp, dairy-free shrimp scampi, and garlic-marinated grilled shrimp skewers are a couple of our other ideal, quick weeknight shrimp recipes, but this basil shrimp is especially great for the summer months when basil is gorgeous and plentiful.

How to make garlic basil sautéed shrimp

Like most simple recipes, the ingredients really make the dish, so start with the best quality shrimp you can find.

By following a few simple techniques for prepping, seasoning, and cooking, you’ll be devouring a plate full of irresistible sautéed shrimp in no time at all.

And if you’re grabbing some frozen shrimp from the store or your freezer, don’t fret! Shrimp are one of the fastest types of protein to thaw when you want to get dinner on the table fast.

For the loveliest crisped-up edges, the most important step in this recipe is to make sure that the shrimp are as dry as possible before you toss them with the spices & cook.

The way I like to do this is to line a cutting board with paper towels, lay the shrimp in a single layer, and then pat them firmly with a few more paper towels until they are dry.

Drying them thoroughly helps them get nicely seared and a little crisp in the pan when you cook them. If there’s too much moisture in the pan, they will steam instead of sear.

How to cook garlic basil shrimp perfectly every time

My absolute favorite way to cook perfect shrimp is in a super hot cast iron skillet. Something about cast iron always seems to work like a charm to get the best sear! If you don’t have one, a non-stick or large heavy bottomed skillet will also work beautifully.

To start, heat cooking oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat until just barely smoking.

Once the oil is hot, use some tongs or a fork to quickly transfer shrimp one at a time into the pan in a single layer. By not crowding the pan, you give them a chance to cook evenly.

In general, shrimp cook VERY fast. Depending on the size of the shrimp you’re using they probably only need about 1 minute per side – less if they’re on the smaller side.

Once the edges start to turn pink and opaque flip them and let them cook about 1 more minute. Once just barely done, immediately remove from the heat. They will continue to cook a little more once they’re removed from the pan.

Cook them in batches until they’re all done. If you want to keep them warm while you cook pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees for about 5 minutes before you start and then turn it off.

Place the cooked shrimp on a plate in the warm oven while you continue to cook the rest in batches.

A little squeeze of fresh lemon added just before serving will elevate the dish even further!

Serving suggestions

These easy garlic basil sautéed shrimp are delicious in so many different meal combinations!

These are some of our favorites:

• With sautéed or roasted vegetables like this oven-roasted broccolini
• Over your favorite fresh salad (so good with this summertime peach salad!)
• Tossed into your favorite pasta
• Over white, brown, or cauliflower rice
• On top of mashed potatoes with some sautéed spinach on the side

If you enjoyed this easy shrimp recipe we’d love it if you would take a moment to rate and review it below! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It’s also a great place to get your questions answered, and helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe. 

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!

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