Embark on a culinary journey with the easiest ever Rock Shrimp Recipe, transforming your kitchen into a gourmet seafood haven. This remarkable dish features succulent, lobster-like rock shrimp sautéed to perfection in a vibrant Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce, promising a memorable meal that comes together in mere minutes.
For those fortunate enough to reside in sunny Florida, rock shrimp is more than just a delicacy; it’s a culinary staple. Our proximity to these sweet, firm crustaceans allows us to enjoy them fresh, often from renowned local establishments like Dixie Crossroads, where their fame extends far beyond state lines. But whether you’re a Floridian or simply managed to snag a great deal on some rock shrimp, bringing this unique flavor home is incredibly simple. Sautéing them on the stovetop is not only the easiest but also one of the most rewarding ways to prepare them.
I find stovetop cooking to be particularly advantageous for shrimp, especially the delicate rock variety. It offers unparalleled control over the cooking process, ensuring your shrimp achieve that perfect, tender bite without becoming rubbery. Moreover, it’s a fantastic option for quick weeknight dinners, as you don’t need to preheat a large oven, saving both time and energy. This efficient skillet method is a go-to for many of my favorite recipes, including Spicy Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits and Blackened Shrimp, all designed to get a delicious meal on your table, fast. And for those occasions when you have just a few extra minutes, consider incorporating this exquisite seafood into a Gourmet Rock Shrimp Mac and Cheese—it’s truly a divine experience!
A secret weapon in this recipe is the versatile lemon garlic butter sauce. While it perfectly complements rock shrimp, its rich, aromatic, and zesty profile is outstanding with virtually any type of seafood. From succulent Argentine Shrimp and luxurious lobster to flaky salmon and various other fish, this sauce elevates every dish it touches, making it a staple in your culinary repertoire.
What is Rock Shrimp? A Deep Dive into this Lobster-Like Delicacy
Rock shrimp (Sicyonia brevirostris) is a fascinating member of the shrimp family, primarily found in the deep, clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, particularly off the coast of Florida. Its name is derived from its incredibly hard, rock-like exterior shell, which sets it apart from its more common shrimp cousins. But it’s not just the shell that makes rock shrimp unique; it’s the taste and texture that truly distinguish it. Often described as having the flavor and firmness of LOBSTER, rock shrimp offers a sweet, rich, and undeniably luxurious experience. While not *exactly* like lobster, its unparalleled quality often surprises those trying it for the first time, delivering a gourmet sensation in a smaller, more accessible package.
Historically, the arduous task of manually removing this tough outer shell made rock shrimp less commercially viable and harder for consumers to access. It wasn’t until the invention of specialized shelling machines that this delectable crustacean became more readily available in markets and restaurants, allowing a wider audience to savor its unique appeal. For those intrepid home cooks considering purchasing unshelled rock shrimp, manual shell removal requires sturdy kitchen shears and a bit of effort. This video by Wild Ocean will show you How to Split and Clean Rock Shrimp. However, for sheer convenience and ease, I, like many others, prefer to purchase them already peeled and deveined. This simple choice transforms cooking rock shrimp from a labor of love into a quick and delightful process.
Visually, rock shrimp are typically smaller than many other popular shrimp varieties, which also contributes to their extremely fast cooking time. The image below showcases one pound of beautifully peeled and deveined Florida Rock Shrimp, ready to be transformed into a gourmet meal. Their pristine appearance hints at the exquisite flavor awaiting you.
While rock shrimp can be delicious broiled, especially if they are split open with the shell still in place, my preferred method for shelled rock shrimp is undoubtedly sautéing. Once that hard outer shell is removed, sautéing becomes the superior choice. It’s incredibly quick, allowing you to achieve perfectly cooked shrimp in just minutes. The direct heat and constant contact with the pan ensure even cooking, and you can easily pluck them out as soon as they reach their optimal doneness, preventing any dreaded rubbery texture. This method also allows the delicate flavors of the lemon garlic butter sauce to deeply penetrate the shrimp, creating an explosion of taste in every bite.
Mastering the Sauté: How to Cook Rock Shrimp in Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the fact that both the rock shrimp and the luscious lemon garlic butter sauce come together in the same pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor. Begin by melting the butter and combining it with olive oil and freshly minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Allow the garlic to gently infuse the butter and oil for about a minute until fragrant, but be careful not to let it brown or burn, as this can impart a bitter taste.
Once your aromatic base is ready, add the prepared rock shrimp to the skillet. Toss them gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated in the fragrant butter mixture. The key to perfectly sautéed shrimp is to cook them in a single layer, preventing them from crowding the pan. Overcrowding can lower the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed rather than seared shrimp, resulting in a less desirable texture. Cook the shrimp for approximately 3-4 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides. You’ll know they’re done when the flesh turns from translucent to an opaque white, and the outside develops a lovely pinkish hue.
A crucial tip: if your skillet is on the smaller side, or if you find it challenging to monitor the color and doneness of too many shrimp at once, it’s always best to cook them in batches. This ensures consistent heat and optimal searing for every piece. If cooking in batches, add a little extra butter and olive oil to the pan between batches if necessary to maintain moisture and flavor. Keep a pair of tongs handy to easily remove any shrimp that cook faster than others. Overcooked shrimp are notoriously rubbery and tough, a texture we are definitely aiming to avoid with this delicate seafood. The goal is tender, juicy, and flavorful rock shrimp that melts in your mouth.
Once all the perfectly cooked shrimp have been transferred to a warm serving dish, it’s time to finish the exquisite sauce. Add the remaining butter, fresh lemon juice, and vegetable broth to the same skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir the mixture well and allow it to simmer gently over low heat for about 5 minutes. This simmering process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly, creating a rich, glossy coating that will cling perfectly to your shrimp.
Finally, pour this glorious lemon butter garlic sauce generously over the sautéed rock shrimp. For an added touch of freshness and vibrant color, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. The aroma alone will be enough to make your mouth water!
For those mindful of calorie intake, you can still enjoy the incredible buttery, garlicky, lemony taste without consuming every last drop of the sauce, allowing it to fit within your dietary goals. However, if you’re like me and believe in savoring every moment of a truly memorable meal, I highly recommend serving this rock shrimp with pasta, such as linguine or angel hair, to soak up all that delightful sauce. Alternatively, explore some of the best side dishes for shrimp, like fluffy rice pilaf, creamy risotto, or a crusty baguette, to ensure no drop of this incredible flavor goes to waste.
More Irresistible Shrimp Recipes to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of this rock shrimp recipe, you’ll be thrilled to discover a world of other delicious shrimp dishes that are just as simple to prepare. Shrimp is a versatile protein that adapts beautifully to a myriad of flavors and cooking styles, making it a perfect choice for any meal, from quick weeknight dinners to elegant gatherings. Explore these fantastic options to expand your shrimp recipe collection and delight your taste buds:
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp (Costco Copycat)
- Margarita Shrimp Recipe (Grill or Oven)
- Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Cream Cheese
- Shrimp Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy, Low-Carb Recipe)
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes delivered straight to your inbox?
📋 Recipe
Rock Shrimp Recipe and Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Print
Pin
Rate
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
4
servings
Marjory Pilley
Ingredients
-
1
pound
Rock shrimp
peeled and deveined -
2
tablespoon
butter -
1
tablespoon
olive oil -
3
garlic cloves
pressed or minced -
1
tablespoon
lemon juice -
2
tablespoon
vegetable broth
Instructions
- Melt 1 Tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add olive oil and garlic to skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add shrimp to skillet and toss to coat with butter mixture then spread into a single layer.
- Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes, stirring to make sure all sides are done. Shrimp are done when the flesh turns white and slightly opaque. Keep tongs handy to lift any out that are finished early. Remove shrimp to serving dish.
- Once all of the shrimp are removed, melt 1 Tablespoon of butter in the skillet.
- Add lemon juice and vegetable broth and stir to combine. Allow sauce to simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes in order to thicken and for flavors to meld.
- Pour lemon butter garlic sauce over shrimp. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Last Step
Please leave a rating and comment! letting us know how you liked this recipe. It helps our business to thrive so we can continue to provide more free recipes!
Grab 5 Low-Carb Sauces
and get more easy, healthy recipes! JOIN HERE
Nutrition
Calories:
199
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
1
g
|
Protein:
23
g
|
Fat:
10
g
|
Saturated Fat:
4
g
|
Cholesterol:
301
mg
|
Sodium:
962
mg
|
Potassium:
99
mg
|
Vitamin A:
195
IU
|
Vitamin C:
6.8
mg
|
Calcium:
168
mg
|
Iron:
2.4
mg
Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer