Easy Garlic Basil Sautéed Shrimp – Dairy Free!

This recipe for easy garlic basil sautéed shrimp is a staple recipe that is incredibly versatile and incredibly delicious. Simple to make, ready in less than 20 minutes, and full of flavor!

Is there really anything better for a quick and flavorful dinner than perfectly spiced shrimp?!

I think not.

We’ve been leaning on it heavily in our summer dinner rotation and no one has any complaints.

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

1. Cooks up super fast so no long oven or stove top time required
2. It’s the perfect blank canvas for just about any flavor combination you can dream up
3. It goes with everything from salads to pasta
4. Can be stored in the freezer and defrosted in minutes for the perfect “there’s nothing in the refrigerator” protein

I’ve got a few sautéed shrimp recipes that I want to share with you, but I figured we would start with this easy garlic basil sautéed shrimp because it’s the recipe we’ve been enjoying the most this summer!

We also have a recipe for basic Pan Seared Shrimp on NK that’s a great all purpose shrimp recipe for you back pocket!

How to make garlic basil sautéed shrimp

These garlic basil sautéed shrimp are a super easy to make and incredibly flavorful.

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 safely thaw and I’m gonna tell you how to do it.

How to thaw frozen shrimp

All you have to do is take the shrimp out of the package they are in and place them in a bowl in your sink under the faucet.

Turn the faucet on with COLD water and allow the water to fill the bowl and trickle over the edge in a low pressure stream until fully thawed.

Don’t be tempted to warm up the water temp to speed up the process. That might result in unsafe raw food temperatures, and it will also change the texture of the shrimp. Both of which are NO BUENO.

The whole process of thawing with this cold water method will probably only take about 10-15 minutes from start to finish anyways.

You’ll know the shrimp are fully thawed when there’s no more ice crystals hanging around and the texture is soft and squishy.

Once your shrimp are thawed, here’s how to prep them.

How to make season sautéed shrimp

How to prep shrimp before cooking

For this recipe it’s easiest if you can find shrimp that are tail on, and already peeled and de-veined. If you can only find shell-on or easy-peel shrimp, don’t worry – this tutorial from the Food Network is a great easy-to-follow guide for peeling and prepping shrimp yourself at home.

• Rinse the shrimp – Once they are thawed, peeled and de-veined, give them a little rinse in some nice cold water to wash away any extra pieces of shell or slimy bits before moving on to the next step.
• Dry the shrimp – Now you want to make sure the shrimp are VERY thoroughly dried before seasoning them. Line a large plastic cutting board with a double layer of paper towels, and have a few more handy on the side. Lay the shrimp in a single layer on the paper towel lined cutting board and blot them dry with the extra paper towels. Drying them thoroughly allows them to get nicely seared and a little crisp in the pan once you cook them. If there’s too much moisture in the pan they will steam instead of crisping up.
• Season the shrimp – Once dry, transfer shrimp to a large bowl and wash your hands. Toss shrimp with salt, pepper, all of the dried spices, and just a little bit of cooking oil to prep them for the pan.

Easy garlic basil sautéed shrimp ingredients

Well seasoned + perfectly cooked shrimp are e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

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

And I think all it really comes down to is seasoning them well.

By tossing the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a flavorful mix of dried spices, you are sure to enjoy super flavorful shrimp every time!

I have to admit – I debated calling this recipe “garlic” basil shrimp, because there isn’t actually any fresh garlic in the recipe. Only garlic powder. But the spice mix is very decidedly garlicky, and so I went for it.

Once you taste them I think you’ll agree. Just take big ol’ bite and enjoy!

This recipe is made with these simple ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Avocado oil for sautéing
• Fresh lemon
• Fresh basil (or dried basil if you’re in a pinch!)

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

How to cook garlic basil shrimp perfectly every time

My absolute favorite way of cooking perfect shrimp is in a super hot cast iron skillet. Something about cast iron always seems to work like a charm to get that perfect 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 sear and get just a little bit crispy on the outside.

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 small.

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.

What to serve with easy garlic basil sautéed shrimp

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
• Over your favorite fresh salad (like this summertime peach salad!)
• Tossed into pasta
• Over white, brown, or cauliflower rice
• On top of mashed potatoes with some wilted greens on the side

Tips for this recipe

• Fresh basil is the perfect summer touch to this sautéed shrimp recipe, but if you don’t have any substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried basil to your spice mix before cooking, or use fresh parsley or chives instead!
• This garlic basil shrimp will last about 3 days in a covered container the refrigerator.
• Once cooked, these shrimp can be re-heated.
• To re-heat:
• Cover with a paper towel in a microwave safe dish and microwave for about 30 seconds.
• OR heat gently over low heat in a skillet for a few minutes – flip halfway through.
• OR wrap in tinfoil and heat in a pre-heated 325 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

And with that, friends, I leave you with this easy little recipe that may just find a forever place in your kitchen, the way it has in ours.

Happppy cooking! xo

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