Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack is a quick and flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a garlic and butter sauce, served atop creamy avocado halves with fresh cherry tomatoes. Perfect for a light, elegant meal ready in just 25 minutes, combining rich buttery garlic shrimp with the creamy texture of avocado and a zesty lemon finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Assembly
- 2 avocados, halved and pitted
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic butter: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Add lemon and parsley: Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and chopped parsley, letting it cook for an additional minute to meld the flavors. Then remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare the avocado base: While the shrimp cook, scoop out some avocado flesh from each half to create a small bowl or mash a portion of the avocado to form a creamy base for the stack.
- Assemble the stacks: Layer the cooked garlic butter shrimp on top of each avocado half, then add the halved cherry tomatoes over the shrimp.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle any remaining garlic butter from the skillet over the top of the stacks. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for an extra citrusy kick.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor and texture.
- If you prefer less heat, omit the red pepper flakes.
- The avocado can be mashed slightly to create a creamier texture.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the shrimp hot and the avocado fresh.
- Leftover garlic butter can be stored and used as a dipping sauce or for bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
