Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp Recipe

Zesty Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp Recipe: A Tangy Seafood Delight

Succulent butter lemon shrimp dance across your plate with vibrant, zesty flavors that promise instant delight.

Mediterranean kitchens inspired this quick seafood sensation perfect for busy weeknights.

Buttery coastal notes complement tangy citrus undertones, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

Fresh shrimp absorb rich, silky butter while bright lemon cuts through with remarkable brightness.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Professional chefs know these subtle techniques can elevate even the most basic ingredients.

Butter Lemon Shrimp Baked to Perfection

  • Create Hassle-Free Meal: Simplify your cooking with a one-pan dish that requires minimal preparation and cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
  • Burst with Zesty Flavors: Enjoy the bright, tangy combination of lemon and butter that perfectly complements the succulent shrimp, creating a mouthwatering meal that tingles your taste buds.
  • Versatile Dining Option: Adapt this recipe to various serving styles – pair with crusty bread, rice, or pasta to transform a simple shrimp dish into a complete and satisfying meal for any occasion.
  • Quick Cooking Magic: Achieve restaurant-quality results in just a few minutes of baking, allowing you to serve a delicious, impressive dish with minimal time and effort in the kitchen.

Ingredients Checklist for Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp

For the Main Star:
  • Shrimp: Fresh, tender seafood that becomes the centerpiece of this delightful baked dish.
For the Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter: Creamy ingredient that creates a rich, luxurious sauce and helps cook the shrimp.
  • Lemon: Bright citrus slices that add tangy freshness and help tenderize the shrimp.
  • Italian Seasoning: Aromatic herb blend that provides depth and traditional Mediterranean flavor.
For the Preparation:
  • Aluminum Foil: Helpful kitchen tool that makes cleanup simple and prevents sticking.
  • Baking Sheet: Essential surface for evenly cooking the shrimp in the oven.

Simple Steps to Make Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C), getting it ready for our seafood magic.

Step 2: Prep The Cooking Surface

Grab aluminum foil and line your baking sheet completely, creating an easy cleanup zone.

Step 3: Create Liquid Gold

Toss butter onto the foil-covered pan and slide it into the warm oven. Watch the butter transform into a golden, melted pool.

Step 4: Citrus Foundation

Carefully remove the pan and arrange fresh lemon slices across the melted butter, creating a zesty base.

Step 5: Seafood Blanket

Gently spread shrimp across the lemon-buttered surface, ensuring they rest in a single, even layer.

Step 6: Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle Italian seasoning generously over the shrimp, letting the herbs dance across the surface.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan back into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Watch for shrimp turning pink and becoming beautifully opaque.

Step 8: Delicious Presentation

Transfer the shrimp immediately to your serving plate.

Pair with:
  • Crusty bread
  • Fluffy rice
  • Tender pasta

These sides will soak up the incredible buttery sauce.

Tips to Achieve Crispy and Juicy Baked Shrimp

  • Check shrimp at 12 minutes to avoid rubbery texture, as they cook quickly and can become tough if left too long in the oven.
  • Crush fresh garlic or add red pepper flakes before baking to introduce extra aromatic and spicy notes to the dish.
  • Choose large or jumbo shrimp with shells removed for even cooking and easier eating, ensuring they're fresh and deveined.
  • Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the rich, lemony butter sauce, capturing every delicious drop.
  • Swap butter with olive oil for a lighter version or use dairy-free butter alternatives to make the recipe suitable for different dietary preferences.

Flavorful Variations on Butter Lemon Shrimp

  • Spicy Garlic Shrimp: Replace Italian seasoning with red pepper flakes and minced garlic for a zesty kick.
  • Mediterranean Herb Shrimp: Swap Italian seasoning with fresh chopped oregano, parsley, and thyme for a Mediterranean flair.
  • Cajun Butter Shrimp: Use Cajun seasoning instead of Italian mix to create a bold, spicy New Orleans-style dish.
  • Coconut Curry Shrimp: Sprinkle mild curry powder and add a splash of coconut milk for a creamy, tropical version.

Best Food Matches with Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp

  • Elevate Zesty Seafood Pairing: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the rich butter and complements the bright lemon notes perfectly.
  • Bread-Soaking Sidekick: Rustic sourdough provides the ideal texture to soak up the delectable buttery sauce, adding a tangy undertone.
  • Fresh Herbal Salad Companion: Light arugula salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette balances the dish's richness and adds a refreshing contrast.
  • Mediterranean-Style Rice Base: Herbed pilaf with parsley and garlic creates a complementary foundation that enhances the shrimp's delicate flavors.

Preserving the Freshness of Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp

Store leftover baked lemon shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pack cooled shrimp in freezer-safe containers or sealed freezer bags, removing excess air, and store for maximum 2 months.

Place shrimp in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying, cover loosely, and heat at 50% power for 30-45 seconds.

Warm shrimp in a preheated 275F oven, covered with foil, for 10-12 minutes to maintain moisture and prevent overcooking.

FAQs

  • What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Large or jumbo shrimp are ideal because they stay juicy and cook evenly without becoming tough. Peeled and deveined shrimp save preparation time and make the dish easier to eat.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry with paper towels before cooking. Make sure to remove excess moisture so the shrimp bake properly and don’t become watery.

  • How do I know when the shrimp are fully cooked?

Shrimp turn from gray to pink and curl slightly when done. They should look opaque and have a slight C-shape. Overcooking makes them rubbery, so remove them from the oven as soon as they change color.

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Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp Recipe

Baked Butter Lemon Shrimp Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Zesty Lemon Butter Shrimp brings Mediterranean coastal charm straight to kitchen tables with succulent, herb-kissed prawns that melt effortlessly on plates. Delicate seafood gets elevated through simple ingredients, promising restaurant-quality elegance you can easily craft at home.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

Seasoning:

  • 1 packet dry Italian seasoning mix

Garnish:

  • 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the delicate seafood.
  2. Craft a convenient cooking surface by lining a baking sheet with aluminum foil, ensuring effortless cleanup.
  3. Melt the butter in the prepared pan inside the preheated oven, allowing it to transform into a liquid golden pool.
  4. Carefully distribute fresh lemon slices across the melted butter, creating a fragrant citrus foundation.
  5. Arrange raw shrimp in a single, uniform layer atop the lemon-butter base, ensuring each piece has ample space for even cooking.
  6. Generously dust the entire surface with Italian seasoning, infusing the dish with aromatic herbs and depth of flavor.
  7. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, watching for the shrimp to turn a vibrant pink and become completely opaque.
  8. Immediately present the dish with accompaniments like crusty artisan bread, fluffy rice, or al dente pasta to capture the rich, buttery sauce.

Notes

  • Ensure shrimp are evenly sized for consistent cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming rubbery while others remain undercooked.
  • Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels before baking to achieve a beautiful golden color and prevent excess moisture during cooking.
  • For a low-carb version, replace bread with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to maintain the delightful buttery lemon flavor profile.
  • Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or dill sprinkled on top after baking to enhance the brightness and add a fresh aromatic touch to the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 234
  • Sugar: 0.2 g
  • Sodium: 260 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling​

Education

The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on sustainable cooking practices, regional American cuisine, and recipe development.​

Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.

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