Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound medium raw shrimp deveined, peeled, tails on or off
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil avocado oil, olive oil, refined coconut oil, etc.
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dry white wine see Notes
- 1 cup heavy cream at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper more or less to taste
- ¾ cup grated fresh parmesan at room temperature
- finely chopped fresh parsley to taste
Serving Suggestions (All Optional)
- mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower or mashed palmini
- prepared pasta of choice or prepared palmini
- rice or cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Season the shrimp: Lay out your shrimp on a cutting board in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Flip them over and repeat on the other side. Simple, but this step is crucial for flavor.
- Heat your skillet: Add a tablespoon of neutral oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. My go-to is olive oil, but avocado oil or coconut oil works too. Swirl the pan to evenly coat the bottom. Once the oil is shimmering, you’re ready to add the shrimp.
- Cook the shrimp: Place the shrimp in a single layer and let them cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes. When the shrimp turn pink and slightly curl, it’s time to flip. Cook for another minute until they form a “J” shape and are fully opaque. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.
- Make the garlic sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t walk away during this step—garlic can go from golden to burnt in a flash!
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the white wine and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the tasty brown bits left by the shrimp and garlic. Let the wine reduce by half (this takes about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the cream and cheese: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Finish the dish: Stir in some chopped parsley and return the shrimp to the pan. Toss everything together so the shrimp are coated in that beautiful sauce. Serve immediately over your choice of mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice
Notes
Plating and serving ideas
For a casual dinner at home, I love serving this creamy garlic shrimp over a bed of mashed potatoes. It’s comforting, and the creamy sauce drapes beautifully over the mashed spuds. For a lighter meal, pair the shrimp with a simple arugula salad on the side. And if you’re hosting a dinner party, this dish looks stunning served over a bed of pasta, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, serve the shrimp with some crusty bread on the side—perfect for mopping up every last bit of that garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner