Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (Cast Iron Shrimp!)

Name: Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (Cast Iron Shrimp!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound 450g shrimp (peeled and deveined); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped); Lemon wedges for serving (Optional)

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Pan Seared Shrimp is a quick, easy, delicious and versatile dish with restaurant-quality flavor in just minutes! Super easy but elegant, with a perfect golden sear, juicy tenderness, and a flavor punch of garlic butter, this shrimp recipe is a must-make for seafood fans!

Looking for more quick shrimp recipes? Look at my Super Easy Boom Boom Shrimp Recipe (Spicy!), and my Best Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta.

seared shrimp on a plate with fresh parsley on top

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Main Ingredients
Instructions To Cook Shrimp On The Stove Top
Variations & Substitutions
Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (Cast Iron Shrimp!)
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy – From start to finish, this recipe takes a mere 10 minutes, making it a lifesaver on busy weeknights or when you need a quick but impressive meal. It’s an unfussy dish with minimal prep and a small cooking time that’s big on flavor.
Incredible Flavor & Texture Perfection — This is the method that gives this shrimp the perfect golden, crispy sear on the outside while maintaining shrimp tender, juicy insides that make this dish absolutely to die for. The mix of butter, garlic, and basic spices really brings out shrimp’s natural sweetness, so each bite is delicious.
Versatile & Customizable – Feeling like a light meal or a nice hearty meal? This shrimp can go with just about anything! Serve it with pasta, rice or a salad, tuck it into tacos, or eat it straight with a squeeze of lemon. Season to taste and customize it — spicy, garlicky or even citrusy!
Best for Health – Shrimp is an excellent source of lean protein, low in calories, and rich in essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and antioxidants. It is indulgent without the guilt, because it scratches those itch without weighing down your meals.

close up shot of garlic butter shrimp in a pan on the stove

Main Ingredients

pan seared shrimp ingredients measured out on a white table

Shrimp – The star of the dish, offering a naturally sweet, delicate taste and tender yet pleasantly firm texture. Searing makes shrimp develop a beautiful golden crust, but their insides will still be juicy.
Garlic Powder – Adds a warm, savory, and a tinge of nutty flavor to the shrimp while enhancing its natural taste without being overwhelming. It also integrates smoothly into the butter, lending depth and aroma to every bite.
Parsley — A fresh, bright garnish that adds a pop of color and a mild, herbal brightness. It balances the richness of the butter and also enhances the shrimp’s delicate flavor.
Salt.
Butter – Adds a rich and velvety coating, but also helps you achieve the perfect golden-brown sear. It’s a bit luxurious and helps convey the taste of the garlic and seasoning in the rest of the dish.
Black Pepper.

Instructions To Cook Shrimp On The Stove Top

Make the Shrimp — Blot the shrimp dry with a paper towel to eliminate excess moisture. This allows for a better sear. You can easily season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Heat the Pan — In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt butter until it’s sizzling but not burning. A hot pan guarantees a beautiful golden sear.

raw shrimp coated in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper

Sear the Shrimp – Add the shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook until golden brown on one side, 2–3 minutes.
Flip & Finish Cooking – Flip shrimp over, cooking an additional 1–2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and fully cooked. Shrimp should be pink, tails curled.
Garnish & Serve – Take off the heat, top with chopped fresh parsley and serve. Serve with rice, pasta, or a simple side salad!

Variations & Substitutions

Spicy Kick — Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for heat. This is ideal for fans of bold, fiery flavor.
Citrus Twist — Squeeze lemon or lime juice over the scrubbed shrimp just before you serve. You can also include a bit of lemon zest for a bright, zesty touch.
Herb Swap — Substitute cilantro, basil or chives for the parsley, for a different herbal note that pairs beautifully with shrimp.
Dairy-Free — Use olive oil or ghee instead of the butter for a lighter or dairy-free version, but still get the decadent, flavorful sear.

Are you looking for a completely different way to cook shrimp? I suggest looking at my Super Easy Boom Boom Shrimp Recipe (Spicy!).

Expert Tips

To consistently get flawless pan-seared shrimp, adhere to the following strategies and tricks:

Pat the Shrimp Dry — Keeping too much moisture ends up in a better sear, and not steaming instead of browning.
Use a Hot Pan – you want a hot skillet (medium-high heat) so you develop a nice golden crust on the shrimp without over-cooking.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan — Cook shrimp in a single layer with space between them for even cooking, and proper caramelization.
Season Just Before Cooking – If you salt shrimp too far ahead of time, they can lose some of their moisture, leaving you with less juicy shrimp. End Season just prior to hitting the pan
Cook Shrimp Fast – Shrimp cooks fast! They only require 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking turns them rubbery and tough.
Watch for Color & Curl — Shrimp that have been perfectly cooked change to pink and opaque and curl slightly into a C-shape. If they curl up tight into an O shape they’re overdone.
Combine Butter and Oil – Combine butter rich flavor with oil high-heat stability for the best sear with no burning.
Serve Immediately – Shrimp will cool and dry out pretty quickly, so eat ’em fresh off the pan for the best taste and texture!

Serving Suggestions

There are numerous ways to serve these succulent shrimp! These are my thoughts:

Over Pasta — Toss the shrimp with your favorite pasta for a quick, yet filling meal. Serve it with garlic butter pasta for a light meal, lemon spaghetti for a bright citrusy touch, or creamy alfredo for a rich, indulgent experience. You can also include a serving of sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes or parmesan cheese for additional flavor.
With Rice or Quinoa – For a healthy, protein-based meal, serve the shrimp over a mound of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. Douse with lemon juice or a garlic butter sauce to bring it all together. For an even more flavor and texture, you can also mix in some sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers and zucchini.
In Tacos — Fill warm tortillas with the pan-seared shrimp, adding some shredded cabbage, slices of avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime for colorful, bright-flavored tacos. Toss on a creamy cilantro-lime sauce, mango salsa, or spicy chipotle mayo for extra zing. Great for taco night or a low-key get-together!
On a Salad — Add shrimp to a fresh green salad for a light but protein-packed meal. Pour the shrimp over mixed greens, arugula or romaine, with toppings like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, red onions and feta cheese. For a lip-smacking explosion of tastes and textures, drizzle with a zingy lemon vinaigrette or a silky Caesar dressing.
As an Appetizer – Serve shrimp as a simple but elegant starter with a dipping sauce on the side. Dip it in garlic aioli for creaminess, cocktail sauce for tang, or chimichurri for freshness and herby funk. Serve on a platter with lemon wedges and fresh herbs for a prettily presented dish that’s perfect for any dinner party or gathering.

pan seared shrimp on a white plate with fresh parsley

Frequently Asked Questions

What Seasonings Go Well With Seared Shrimp?

Make sure your shrimp are well-seasoned, as they pair perfectly with garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper or Old Bay seasoning for a full-bodied taste. For some spice, you could stir in Cajun seasoning, chili powder or red pepper flakes, and brighten it with fresh herbs or a squirt of lemon at the end.

How Do You Sear Shrimp Without Overcooking?

The way to sear them with no overcooking is over very high heat with butter or oil, in a single layer, for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they are pink and opaque. Be careful not to crowd the pan, and pull them from the heat as soon as they curl into C-shapes — a closed O means they’re overcooked.

Do you have to devein shrimp?

Deveining shrimp is an option, but I’d recommend doing it; the dark vein is the animal’s digestive tract, and can be gritty. Though it’s safe to consume, removing it helps the shrimp look better and taste cleaner.

What's The Best Way To Defrost Shrimp?

The quickest way to thaw shrimp is to submerse them in a bowl of cold water for 10–15 minutes, swapping out the water, if necessary. For a less, um, adrenaline-fueled approach, let them thaw overnight in the fridge, which will leave their texture and freshness intact.

If you tried this Easy Pan Seared Shrimp (Cast Iron Shrimp!) or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!

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