Garlic Butter Shrimp

Easy keto shrimp recipe

Shrimp is one of the best proteins to incorporate into keto friendly meals since it contains virtually no carbohydrates. The flavor-packed combination of garlic, butter, and fresh parsley in this recipe is absolutely out of this world. We found that flavoring each component separately makes all the difference in this recipe. When adding the coated shrimp, I like to dump the olive oil in too. I believe it helps increase the flavor and quantity of sauce, which is perfect when serving a large group of hungry friends, especially with a glass of white wine. Even the pickiest of eaters are sure to enjoy this savory garlic butter shrimp dish. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice, red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper if needed. While this dish tastes fantastic on its own, you can serve it over a bowl of keto rice, zucchini noodles, keto grits or a tasty heart of palm pasta for a satisfying meal.

Is Shrimp Keto?

Shrimp is totally keto friendly and contains little to no carbohydrates. It boasts one of the lowest carb contents compared to other shellfish varieties, with only approximately 0.2 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving. Shrimp is also very low in calories, in which almost ninety percent stem directly from hearty protein.

The popular shellfish is delicious yet highly nutritious. It is an excellent source of essential nutrients, including protein, iron, magnesium, Vitamin B12, and zinc. Over the years, the fish has also developed a reputation as “brain food” due to its astaxanthin content.

Shrimp truly is a fantastic protein to include in keto meals due to its various nutritional benefits. It also has a great flavor and pairs well with a myriad of different dishes, especially when drowned with our yummy butter garlic sauce.

How To Tell If Shrimp is Perfectly Cooked?

This recipe for garlic butter shrimp cooks super quickly, so it is essential to keep a close eye while sautéing them for this keto dinner. It is relatively easy to determine when your shrimp is fully cooked. For starters, the fish should boast a pinkish hue. It is usually a translucent gray color before cooking. If the shrimp is overcooked, it will turn white or gray instead of pink.

Another way to distinguish whether shrimp is ready to serve is by its texture. The shellfish should have a firm surface. Overcooked shrimp would produce a rubbery, somewhat mushy texture. In the meantime, undercooked shrimp would seem slightly on the slimy side, which can be pretty harmful to consume. You will know your shrimp are perfectly cooked when they are pink, firm,  and shaped like a “c” or “o” shape.

How Do I Prepare My Shrimp Before Cooking?

This easy keto shrimp recipe can be made with fresh or frozen shrimp. Be sure to wash and drain your seafood prior to cooking and obviously thaw your frozen shrimp. It is also recommended to remove the shrimp shells before cooking. It is easier to eat that way and ensures a better overall flavor.

Feel free to use shrimp with or without tails, depending on your personal preference. We prefer to keep the tails on for better presentation. Either way works well in this dish and is perfectly safe to consume.

In addition, we recommend deveining your shrimp before starting the process because it removes any excess fluid. It is also easier to tell if deveined shrimp in this garlic butter shrimp recipe is fully cooked since more surface area is on the back to use for reference.