Go Back
- 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish - Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving You can add extra flavor to this dish with a few simple ingredients. Consider using: - Fresh basil for a sweet hint. - Cherry tomatoes for a burst of color and taste. - A dash of white wine for depth. Quality matters when you cook. Use fresh shrimp for the best taste. Look for shrimp without a strong fishy smell. For zucchini, choose firm ones with smooth skin. If you can't find fresh zucchini, frozen is a good backup. You can replace butter with olive oil if you prefer. For a dairy-free option, skip the Parmesan cheese or use a nut-based alternative. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, spiralize four medium zucchini into noodles. Use a spiralizer for the best shape. After spiralizing, place the noodles on a paper towel. This helps remove extra moisture. Too much moisture can make your dish watery. Set the zucchini aside while you cook the shrimp. Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add two tablespoons of unsalted butter. Let it melt fully. Once it’s melted, add four minced garlic cloves and one teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Stir these together for about one minute. Keep stirring so the garlic does not burn. Now, add one pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque. This shows they are fully cooked. Once done, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. In the same skillet, add the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Let this melt, then add the spiralized zucchini noodles. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes. Toss gently until the noodles become slightly soft. Next, return the shrimp back to the skillet. Squeeze one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over everything. Toss all the ingredients together to blend the flavors. Taste your dish and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles warm. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and, if you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor. Enjoy! Zucchini has a lot of water. This can make your dish soggy. To keep your noodles firm, follow these steps: - Spiralize and Drain: After spiralizing, place the noodles on a paper towel. Let them sit for a few minutes. This helps absorb extra moisture. - Salt the Zucchini: Lightly sprinkle salt over the noodles. This draws out moisture. Rinse and dry before cooking. - Cook Quickly: Sauté the noodles for just a few minutes. Overcooking makes them mushy. Garlic butter is key to this dish. Here’s how to get it just right: - Use Fresh Garlic: Always use fresh garlic for the best taste. Mince it finely, so it releases more flavor. - Control the Heat: Cook the garlic on medium heat. High heat can burn it and make it bitter. Sauté just until fragrant. - Add Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the garlic butter. It gives a nice zing to the dish. Having the right tools makes cooking easier. Here are my top picks: - Spiralizer: A good spiralizer turns zucchini into noodles quickly. Look for one that is easy to use. - Large Skillet: A large skillet helps cook the shrimp and noodles evenly. Non-stick is a great option to prevent sticking. - Tongs: Use tongs to toss the noodles and shrimp together. They help mix everything without breaking the noodles. These tips will help you create a perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles dish. Enjoy the cooking process! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh shrimp and zucchini will enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. Avoid frozen shrimp if possible for the best taste. Control the Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your heat preference. Start with less and add more if you desire a spicier kick. Don't Overcook the Zucchini: Zucchini noodles should be cooked just until tender. Overcooking can make them mushy, so keep an eye on them! Add Extra Flavor: Consider adding a splash of white wine after sautéing the garlic for an extra depth of flavor before adding the shrimp. {{image_2}} You can switch up the shrimp for other proteins. Chicken breast works well in this dish. Simply cut it into bite-sized pieces and cook until golden brown. Tofu is a great choice for a vegetarian twist. Use firm tofu, and sauté it until crispy. Fish like salmon or tilapia can also shine in this recipe. Just cook until it flakes easily with a fork. Adding more veggies makes this dish even better. Try bell peppers for a sweet crunch. Spinach adds a nice pop of green and extra nutrients. Broccoli florets can bring a satisfying bite. Just sauté them for a few minutes before adding the shrimp. You can also toss in cherry tomatoes. They burst with flavor and add brightness to the meal. Experimenting with spices can change the dish's flavor. Italian seasoning adds a lovely herbal note. Cajun seasoning can spice things up for a kick. Adding a splash of soy sauce gives an Asian twist. Don’t forget fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for a fresh finish. Each blend can create a unique taste, making this dish new every time you make it. After enjoying your Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles, you may have some leftovers. To store them, let the dish cool first. Then, place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you can track how long it has been stored. When you want to enjoy your leftovers, reheating is easy. You can use a skillet or microwave. If using a skillet, heat it over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of water or butter to keep it moist. Stir gently until warmed through. If using the microwave, place the noodles in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it loosely with a lid or paper towel. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Check if it’s hot enough before serving. You can freeze Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles, but it may change the texture. To freeze, let the dish cool completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe containers. Leave some space at the top, as liquids expand when frozen. Seal the containers tightly and label them with the date. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just thaw them first. To thaw, place them in cold water for about 15 minutes. This method keeps the shrimp fresh. Cook them as you would fresh shrimp. Remember, they may need a minute more to cook through. To spiralize zucchini, you need a spiralizer. You can find these tools at many stores. Start by washing the zucchini well. Cut off the ends, then place it in the spiralizer. Turn the handle to create noodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler. Just peel long strips for a similar effect. These noodles pair well with various sides. Consider garlic bread for a classic touch. A simple green salad also works nicely. For a heartier meal, serve it with quinoa or rice. A glass of white wine can elevate the dish even more. This post covered making garlic butter shrimp zucchini noodles. We explored key ingredients and flavor options. You learned how to prepare and cook each part properly. I shared tips to avoid watery noodles and enhance taste. We discussed protein swaps and veggie additions for variety. Lastly, I provided storage tips and answers to common questions. Enjoy this dish and make it your own with fresh ideas. Happy cooking!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles

A delicious and healthy dish featuring shrimp and zucchini noodles in a garlic butter sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • optional Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions
 

  • Begin by spiralizing your zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer. Set aside on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
  • In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  • Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
  • Add the shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque.
  • Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Add the spiralized zucchini noodles to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes, tossing gently until slightly softened.
  • Return the shrimp back to the skillet and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Toss everything together to combine all flavors.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  • Serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles warm, garnished with chopped parsley and optionally sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.
Keyword garlic butter, healthy, shrimp, zucchini noodles