Garlic Shrimp is one of my absolute favorite things to eat in Hawaii. The combination of plump, juicy shrimp drenched in a buttery, garlicky sauce is so irresistible. Whether you’re at a famous shrimp truck on Oahu’s North Shore or a local hidden gem, this dish is a must-try.
Hawaiian cuisine has a strong Japanese influence, which makes it especially meaningful to me, being Japanese. From the use of rice as a staple side to flavors like soy sauce, miso, and sesame, you can see how Japanese immigrants left a lasting impact on local food.
Even this Garlic Shrimp, which is often seasoned simply with butter and garlic, sometimes gets a hint of shoyu (soy sauce) or is served alongside classic Hawaiian-Japanese dishes like macaroni salad or rice with furikake.
The shrimp are typically cooked shell-on, allowing them to soak up all that rich, garlicky flavor, and they’re often served with a scoop of rice to soak up the extra sauce. Trust me, you won’t want to waste a drop of the liquid gold.
Using High-Quality Butter
High-quality butter makes all the difference in Garlic Shrimp. Since the dish relies on just a few ingredients (butter, garlic, shrimp, and seasoning) using the best butter enhances the flavor.
The richness of high-quality butter, especially if it’s from grass-fed cows, adds a deeper, more luxurious taste that perfectly balances the bold garlic and slight spice from seasonings like paprika or cayenne.
In addition, high-quality butter, especially grass-fed or organic varieties, is often better for you than lower-quality alternatives. Grass-fed butter is better for heart health and reduced inflammation. It also contains more fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which support immune function, bone health, and overall well-being.
What to Serve with Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
- Steamed white rice: Classic and simple—perfect for soaking up all that buttery garlic sauce.
- Hawaiian-style macaroni salad: Creamy and slightly sweet, it balances the shrimp’s bold flavors.
- Cabbage slaw: Fresh and crunchy; a light, tangy slaw adds texture and brightness.
- Grilled pineapple: Sweet and caramelized for a tropical contrast to the savory shrimp.
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Description
Hawaiian garlic shrimp is a buttery, garlicky, and succulent dish featuring juicy shrimp pan-seared to perfection in a rich garlic butter sauce, often served with rice and a side of mac salad.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, tail-on (you can leave the entire shell on for maximum flavor, or remove it)
- You can use frozen shrimp, just make sure it is completely thawed before use
- 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for light coating)
Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional; for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then season with paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Lightly coat the shrimp in flour.
- To a large pan over high-medium heat, add 3 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes.
- In the same pan, add in the minced garlic, and flip the shrimp to cook the other side for an two minutes.
- Drizzle the lemon juice on top of the shrimp and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Allow to cook for one more minute.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with steamed rice and mac salad for a true Hawaiian-style meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3
THIS LITERALLY TASTED SO GOOD
Haha thanks for sharing Jasper! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
The garlic-butter sauce clung perfectly to the shrimp
Yum! So glad to hear! Thanks, Sasha!