Amazing hawaiian garlic shrimp in 20 mins

When I think about the ultimate quick, soulful meal, my mind always drifts to the islands. If you’ve ever wanted that incredible, punchy flavor of roadside cooking right in your own kitchen, then you are in the perfect spot! I’m Alex, and I am happy you found this recipe. This Authentic Hawaiian Shrimp Truck Style Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon is proof that you don’t need hours of prep to hit that high note of flavor. We’re talking succulent shrimp swimming in that famous garlicky butter that just begs to be soaked up by rice. Forget complicated techniques; this is where everyday ingredients shine, delivering the *best* **hawaiian garlic shrimp** you’ll ever make!

Why This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe Delivers Island Flavor

I promise you, this isn’t just another garlic shrimp recipe. This is pure weeknight magic that transports you straight to the North Shore. My goal with this **hawaiian garlic shrimp** is to give you that addictive, bold taste instantly. It’s all about smart technique, not endless simmering!

Quick Shrimp Dinner Ideas in Under 20 Minutes

Seriously, who has time for complicated seafood dinners during the week? This is possibly one of the fastest things I make. Between prep and serving, we are looking at only 20 minutes total time. It fits perfectly into those busy nights when you need satisfying **quick shrimp dinner ideas**!

The Secret to Authentic Shrimp Truck Style Food

The true flavor of the iconic Food Trucks comes down to two things: an aggressive amount of garlic and letting that butter get hot! That incredible blend of fat and alliums is what coats the shrimp beautifully. We skip fillers and stick to the essentials to nail that **Shrimp Truck Style Food** taste.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. Because this **hawaiian garlic shrimp** recipe is so simple—only a handful of components—the quality of those ingredients really shines through. You’re essentially building a powerhouse sauce around plump shrimp. You’ll want to grab everything before you even turn on the stove. Trust me, once that garlic hits the hot pan, things move fast!

Here’s what you need to pull together this island treat:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (Go for good quality here!)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 10 cloves garlic, minced (Don’t skimp unless you absolutely must!)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (This is optional, but it adds a nice little depth.)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Cooked white rice, for serving (The essential vehicle for the sauce!)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

My biggest advice before you start? Pat those shrimp bone dry! Seriously, grab a mountain of paper towels and blot them really well. If they are wet, they steam instead of sear, and we want that beautiful crust for maximum flavor. Also, if you happen to make a big batch of my garlic butter spread ahead of time, you can use that instead of measuring out the butter and oil separately—it’s a lifesaver!

For the shrimp size, large is usually best. If you grab jumbo, just watch the cooking time by about 30 seconds per side!

Mastering the Buttery Shrimp Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

We’re moving fast now! Getting that authentic **hawaiian garlic shrimp** flavor means sticking to the heat schedule. Don’t hover, but don’t walk away either! I swear by my cast iron pan for this because it holds the heat so well, which really helps that buttery flavor develop quickly. This whole process is quick, but the payoff is huge.

Preparing the Shrimp for Perfect Searing

If you take one piece of advice from me, let it be this: pat those shrimp dry! I mean it. They need to be utterly, totally dry. If there’s any water clinging to them, it turns into steam when it hits the hot butter, and steaming shrimp is not what we want here. We want that gorgeous, quick sear that locks in all the succulent flavor. This drying step sets us up for success!

SAVE

Building the Garlic Butter Sauce Shrimp Base

Next, we get that gorgeous fat mixture going. Melt your butter with the olive oil over medium heat. When it’s shimmering, toss in all that minced garlic. This is crucial: you only cook the garlic for about 60 seconds. We’re blooming the flavor; we’re not making brown, bitter garlic! As soon as it smells incredible—that sharp, sweet garlic aroma—that’s your cue to add the shrimp immediately. We need that pungent garlic coating every piece of seafood, creating the ultimate Garlic Butter Sauce Shrimp base.

Toss those dry shrimp in and let them cook for just two or three minutes per side until they turn pink. When they’re done, pull the pan right off the heat and stir in the lemon juice before seasoning. That bright lemon hits the hot butter and creates the final, zesty layer!

SAVE

Tips for the Best Garlic Shrimp Ever

Now that you’ve cooked up the main event, I want to share a few extra secrets I picked up for making this **Best Garlic Shrimp Ever** recipe truly unforgettable. These aren’t strictly in the recipe steps, but they take the flavor from “great” to “I need to make this every Tuesday.” Remember, building confidence in the kitchen comes from these little tweaks!

If you want that extra pop of island depth that the food truck guys swear by, try adding about a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce right into the butter mixture when you’re melting it down with the garlic. Sounds weird, right? But it deepens that savoriness without tasting like, well, Worcestershire! You can also check out my spicy cowboy butter recipe if you want to explore fat-forward flavor bombs like this one.

The absolute most important thing, though, is serving it immediately. This buttery sauce is best when it’s warm and liquid, just coating the shrimp. Don’t let it sit around too long or it chills into a thick coating.

Serving Suggestions for Your Tropical Shrimp Dinner

Okay, you’ve got this incredibly flavourful, garlicky, buttery **hawaiian garlic shrimp** bubbling away in the pan. Now for the crucial part: what do we serve it with? Honestly, you can’t just eat this straight from the skillet! The secret to the ultimate island experience is having something sturdy ready to capture every single drop of that golden sauce.

The Essential Role of Shrimp with Rice

If you skip the rice, you are missing half the dish, in my opinion. The white rice is non-negotiable—it’s the sponge for all that lemon, butter, and garlic goodness. I usually make a huge batch of simple, fluffy rice, or sometimes I’ll pivot and use my recipe for easy butter rice for a little extra richness under the shrimp. This pairing, **shrimp with rice**, is classic for a reason!

SAVE

For other sides, I love keeping things simple so the shrimp are the star. Think about a quick, crisp slaw or maybe some steamed green beans tossed lightly in sesame oil if you want a little extra green on the plate. That covers the whole **island flavor seafood** vibe perfectly!

Variations: Making Your Flavorful Shrimp Dishes Unique

Even though this **hawaiian garlic shrimp** recipe is near perfection as is, I love seeing how you all customize things! The beauty of a simple sauce like this is how easily it takes on other influences. If you want to push these **flavorful shrimp dishes** into a slightly different direction, I have a couple of easy swaps you can try out that keep that island feeling alive.

For instance, adding a splash of soy sauce or a touch of fresh lime juice along with the lemon can really deepen the overall profile. If you want to lean into a sweeter profile, try drizzling a tiny bit of homemade teriyaki sauce—I have my favorite recipe right here—just at the very end, right before serving over your rice.

Achieving Crispy Garlic Shrimp Texture

I know some of you are obsessed with that little bit of crunch, and I totally get it! If you prefer a **Crispy Garlic Shrimp** texture, remember that tip from the notes—toss your prepared, dry shrimp in just one tablespoon of cornstarch before they hit the pan. That light dusting turns into the tiniest bit of crispy shell when it hits the hot fat. It holds up beautifully in the sauce!

SAVE

Alternatively, if you accidentally overcooked your shrimp just a tiny bit (it happens to all of us!), pull the pan off the heat, add everything else, and then quickly pop the whole skillet under a hot broiler for about 60 seconds. Watch it like a hawk! That quick blast of heat gets some sear on the edges without overcooking the interior.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

What if you actually have leftovers of this amazing **hawaiian garlic shrimp**? That’s rare in my house, but when it happens, you need to treat the shrimp gently. The main thing is that the butter sauce will solidify when it gets cold, which is normal. Don’t leave them out at room temperature; pop them into an airtight container and get them into the fridge within two hours. They should be good for about two days, though honestly, I think the flavor peaks on day one!

When you reheat them, forget the microwave if you can. The steam box will just make them rubbery. I actually prefer to reheat mine slowly in a small skillet over very low heat. Add just a tiny splash of water or chicken broth—maybe a teaspoon—and let the sauce melt back together slowly. That keeps the shrimp tender until you are ready to spoon that garlicky goodness over fresh rice!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Easy Garlic Seafood

I always get a ton of questions about making sure this incredible **Easy Garlic Seafood** tastes just like the real thing. It’s just good sense to ask before you jump in! I’ve pulled together the most common things people ask me about perfecting this dish. If you’re looking for more quick ideas that don’t take forever, check out my guide on amazing weeknight dinners!

Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh for this hawaiian garlic shrimp recipe?

You absolutely can! I totally understand keeping frozen shrimp on hand for **quick shrimp dinner ideas**. The most critical thing you must do is thaw them completely, whether in the fridge overnight or using the cold water method. Even more important than thawing them all the way is drying them completely afterward. If they feel damp at all, they’ll steam in the pan, ruining that nice sear we talked about. Wet shrimp equals sad shrimp!

What is the best way to prevent the garlic from burning?

Ah, the classic mistake! Burnt garlic tastes bitter and will ruin your beautiful **buttery shrimp recipe**. Stick to medium heat—not medium-high—when you add the garlic. You’re coaxing out the essential oils, not trying to deep-fry it! It should only take about a minute until you smell that wonderful, sharp aroma. The second it smells like garlic heaven, toss in your shrimp. Then, when the shrimp are done, immediately pull the pan off the direct heat source before you add the lemon juice. That stops the residual heat from torching the remaining garlic!

Is this recipe considered an Authentic Hawaiian Food experience?

When I set out to write this, I made sure it was as close to the source as possible! So yes, this is absolutely designed to give you that classic **Authentic Hawaiian Food** vibe. We are mimicking that famous, over-the-top garlic-butter application you find all over the North Shore shrimp trucks. It’s simple, rustic, and packed with pure island flavor. Serve it with a side salad, but please, don’t skip the rice for soaking up the sauce!

If you try this out, pop over to my Facebook page here and let me know how much garlic you ended up using! I always love seeing your creations.

Share Your Mouthwatering Garlic Shrimp Success

Now that your kitchen smells just like a tropical paradise, I’d absolutely love to hear about it! Did you sneak in extra garlic? Did you manage to save enough rice for a second scoop later? Let me know how your journey to making the **Mouthwatering Garlic Shrimp** went by leaving a rating below. If you’re looking for more fast, flavor-packed meals, check out my latest posts over on the main blog page!

Authentic Hawaiian Shrimp Truck Style Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon

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I’m Alex, and I am happy you found this recipe. This Hawaiian garlic shrimp tastes just like the famous food truck version. It features succulent shrimp coated in a rich, garlicky butter sauce, perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner. Serve this island flavor seafood with rice to soak up every drop of the buttery sauce.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 20 min
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop Sauté
• Cuisine: Hawaiian
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 10 cloves garlic, minced (use more for extra flavor)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Cooked white rice, for serving

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Instructions

1. Pat the shrimp completely dry using paper towels. This helps them sear better.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown or burn.
4. Add the dried shrimp to the skillet in a single layer if possible. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour in the fresh lemon juice. Stir quickly to combine the sauce.
6. Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Toss everything together until the shrimp are fully coated in the garlic butter sauce.
7. Stir in the fresh parsley.
8. Serve the mouthwatering garlic shrimp immediately over warm white rice.

Notes

• For an extra layer of flavor, you can add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the butter mixture.
• If you like your shrimp slightly crispy, toss them lightly in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch before adding them to the pan.
• This dish is best eaten right away to enjoy the warm, buttery texture.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/2 lb shrimp)
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 1
• Sodium: 750
• Fat: 40
• Saturated Fat: 20
• Unsaturated Fat: 20
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 15
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 35
• Cholesterol: 300