Description
This Garlic Shrimp and Zucchini Noodles recipe delivers succulent, perfectly seasoned shrimp with tender zucchini ribbons in a fragrant garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s naturally low-carb, keto-friendly, and packed with flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressive dinner parties!
Ingredients
1½ pounds large shrimp (31–40 count), peeled and deveined
4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lemon (zest and juice)
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Spiralize zucchini into noodles. Spread on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and let sit 10 minutes to release moisture. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes without moving. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Remove to a plate.
3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. When butter foams, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pat zucchini noodles dry again with paper towels. Add to skillet and toss for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still with a slight bite.
5. Return shrimp to skillet along with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss everything together for 1 minute until butter melts and coats everything.
6. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pat shrimp and zucchini completely dry for best texture—excess moisture prevents proper searing and creates a watery dish.
Don’t overcook the shrimp! They’re done when pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes total cooking time.
Zucchini noodles need just 2-3 minutes of cooking. Overcooking makes them mushy and watery.
For meal prep, spiralize zucchini and store separately from cooked shrimp. Combine when ready to serve.
This recipe works beautifully with scallops, cubed chicken breast, or king oyster mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
Keywords: garlic shrimp, zucchini noodles, low carb shrimp, keto shrimp recipe, healthy seafood dinner, zoodles recipe, quick shrimp dinner