High-Protein Keto Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Seared shrimp in a garlic butter cream — ready in 15 minutes
This high-protein keto creamy garlic butter shrimp sears the shrimp first, then finishes them in a short garlic and cream sauce, parsley on top like the bowl. Each serving has 32 g of protein and 3 g net carbs.
Low carb, sugar-free, and no breading.
Why you’ll love this shrimp
- 32g protein per serving
- 3g net carbs
- Garlic butter cream
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- No breading
- One pan
Health notes
- Protein: Shrimp, about 6 ounces a serving.
- Low carb: Cream and garlic, not a roux or pasta.
- Sugar-free: No sweet sauce.
- Keto-friendly: Each bowl stays around 3g net carbs.
Key element — sear, then sauce
Shrimp simmered from raw in cream stay pale. A quick sear, then the cream, is what gives the color in the bowl.
Ingredients
Shrimp (4 servings)
- 1½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp butter, divided
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley, plus a sprig to finish
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
Swaps
- Half-and-half: The sauce is thinner. Carbs rise a little.
- Scallops: Same sear. Cook 2 minutes a side.
- No Parmesan: The cream still coats. Protein drops a little.
- Pasta or bread: Not in the 3g number.
Instructions
| 1 | Season. Pat the shrimp dry. Season with salt and pepper. |
| 2 | Sear. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a wide pan over medium-high. Sear the shrimp 1–2 minutes a side until just pink. Move them to a plate. Do not crowd the pan. |
| 3 | Sauce. Lower the heat. Add the rest of the butter and the garlic. Cook 30 seconds. Pour in the cream. Simmer 2 minutes until it coats a spoon. Stir in the Parmesan. |
| 4 | Finish. Return the shrimp and any juices. Warm 1 minute. Add parsley. Spoon into 4 bowls, like the photo. |
Pro tips
- Wet shrimp steam. Pat them dry before the sear.
- Pull them when they turn pink. Another minute makes them rubbery.
- Garlic burns fast. Thirty seconds is enough before the cream.
- A splash of pasta water or a handful of noodles is not in these numbers.
- Macros are per serving, 4 from this pan.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Net carbohydrates | 3g |
| Total carbohydrates | 3g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Total fat | 20g |
| Sodium | 620mg |
Estimates based on 6 ounces of shrimp, butter, heavy cream, garlic, and a spoon of Parmesan, divided into 4 servings. Bread, pasta, and a sweet sauce are not included.
Variations
Lemon
Finish with 1 tsp lemon zest.
Spinach
Wilt a handful into the sauce. Carbs stay close.
Spice
A pinch of cayenne with the garlic.
Cauliflower rice
Serve over it. Count the extra carbs apart from the card.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 2 days | The shrimp firm up as they sit |
| Reheat | 2 min | Low heat with a splash of cream. Do not boil |
| Freezer | Not ideal | The cream splits and the shrimp turn tough |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about this garlic butter shrimp
1. Protein per serving?
2. Net carbs per serving?
3. What gives the shrimp their color?
4. About how long does this take?
5. What is not in the 3g number?
