This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe is so easy and flavorful. It can be baked, grilled, or pan fried in a matter of minutes! Serve it with rice, pasta, or a healthy salad!

Pair this with my Creamy Lemon Pasta recipe!Lemon Garlic Grilled Shrimp on skewers on a white plate next to fresh parsley.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

There is no better feeling as a home cook than to hear the sound of silence when you put that food down on the table and everyone takes their first few bites. That is exactly what’s going to happen if you make this easy lemon garlic shrimp recipe.

I love that you can serve this baked, grilled, or pan fried!

How Long to Marinate Shrimp

The length of marinating time depends on what marinade you use:

  • Marinades that have citrus, (lemon/lime/orange for example), should marinade for no more than 30 minutes. The acid from the citrus eventually breaks down the shrimp and can make it mushy if you marinade it too long.
  • If no citrus is involved, an hour or more is fine.

What Size Shrimp for Grilling

Larger shrimp work better for grilling. For an accurate gauge on size, look at the shrimp count on the Tupperware or bag.

For example, the shrimp in these photos were labeled as “jumbo”, but that term varies depending on where you buy from. The count number however, was 26/30. That means it takes 26-30 shrimp to make 1 pound.

The smaller the number, the larger the shrimp size, because it takes less shrimp to make a pound.

These was the largest shrimp available to me, (and it will work fine), but aim for a shrimp count around 15 for grilling if possible.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp on skewers next to fresh parsley.

How Much Shrimp Per Person

  • 1/2 pound of shrimp per person is a good rule of thumb.

How Long to Grill Shrimp

  • Shrimp cook very quickly on the grill and only need 2-3 minutes per side.

How to Bake it

To bake these shrimp, preheat the oven to 450°.

Spray a baking sheet lightly with nonstick cooking spray and bake for 5-7 minutes.

It’s as easy as that!

How to Pan Fry it

For a frying pan method, add some oil in a few tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil to large pan over medium-high heat.

Once heated, add the shrimp (without the skewers is easier), and cook for about 1 minute + 30 seconds per side, tossing occasionally.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp on skewers cooking on the grill

Try These Next!

Get My Free E-Book! 

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Prep Time: 23 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 7 ratings
Servings: 2
Tap or hover to scale
Print Pin Save Review
This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe is so easy and flavorful. It can be baked, grilled, or pan fried in a matter of minutes! Serve it with rice, pasta, or a healthy salad!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 1 lb. shrimp, uncooked
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, fresh & finely diced

Instructions

  • Soak your skewers in water (for about 1.5 hours) prior to grilling if desired. There is debate as to if this is actually necessary or not. (I don’t usually have time and it's been fine!) 
  • If the shell is still on the shrimp, carefully peel it away. Place the shrimp in a colander and rinse under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
  • In a medium bowl, combine the remaining marinade ingredients. Carefully pour it into a thick freezer bag, then add the shrimp. 
  • Marinade the shrimp for 20-30 minutes minutes. *Do not marinade longer than 30 minutes, as the acid from the lemon will begin to break down the shrimp after this time, which can leave them mushy.  
  • Heat the grill to high. Once heated, carefully place the skewers on the grill rack and cook them for about 2-3 minutes, then flip, and cook for another 2 minutes. Leave the cover open as they cook. 
  • When done, the exterior will be a pinkish color and the outside edges should be white and opaque. Overcooking will cause the shrimp to become tough, so try not to get distracted. : ) 
  • Remove from the grill and serve, carefully peeling away the shell prior to eating!

Notes

How to Bake Lemon Garlic Shrimp
To bake these shrimp, preheat the oven to 450°.
Spray a baking sheet lightly with nonstick cooking spray and bake for 5-7 minutes.
How to Pan Fry Shrimp
For a frying pan method, add some oil in a few tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil to large pan over medium-high heat.
Once heated, add the shrimp (without the skewers is easier), and cook for about 1 minute + 30 seconds per side.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 571mg, Sodium: 2935mg, Potassium: 181mg, Vitamin A: 315IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 336mg, Iron: 5mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie
This simple lemon garlic marinade takes just minutes to throw together and gives you flavorful grilled shrimp that you'll want to eat all summer long! Plus, must-have tips for grilling shrimp!  | The Cozy Cook | #shrimp #grilling #seafood #grilledshrimp #lemon #garlic #keto