If you love seafood and crave something a little extraordinary to elevate your next meal, Shrimp Butter is a must-try culinary delight. Imagine savory, briny shrimp whipped into silky, lemon-laced butter, kissed with fresh herbs—a spread that turns ordinary bread or steak into a decadent, restaurant-worthy bite. This Shrimp Butter recipe is dazzlingly simple yet delivers impressive flavor and elegance in just minutes, making it an irresistible favorite whether you’re serving it at a cozy family dinner or festive gathering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Shrimp Butter so special is how each ingredient perfectly enhances the others. A handful of simple, fresh staples come together to create a rich, vibrant spread you’ll want to slather on everything. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:

Shrimp (1/2 pound, cooked, peeled, deveined, finely chopped): This is the star, adding briny sweetness and a delightfully plush texture.
Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): The creamy canvas that binds everything together; use high-quality butter for the best results.
Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Brings a punch of savoriness that plays beautifully with the shrimp.
Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon): Adds brightness and balances richness with a fresh pop.
Lemon Zest (1 teaspoon): Intensifies the citrus notes and keeps the spread tasting lively.
Fresh Parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped): Lends a vibrant green fleck and a subtle herbal touch.
Cayenne Pepper (1/4 teaspoon, optional): Offers a gentle kick of heat, if you love a spicy finish.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances and deepens all the flavors, tying everything together.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): For a mild bite and a warming undertone.

How to Make Shrimp Butter

Step 1: Mix the Flavor Base

Start with a mixing bowl and combine your softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, zesty lemon peel, chopped parsley, a sprinkle of cayenne if you want a gentle heat, plus salt and black pepper. Stir everything together until the butter is smooth and you can see little flecks of herbs and zest throughout. This is the foundation where all the flavor magic begins.

Step 2: Fold in the Shrimp

Now, add your finely chopped, cooked shrimp to the butter mixture. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold the shrimp in gently but thoroughly so that every bit of butter is loaded with juicy morsels. The shrimp should be evenly distributed, making each scoop irresistible!

Step 3: Shape and Chill

Spoon the Shrimp Butter into a small serving bowl for an easy, rustic look, or transfer the mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a log for slicing. Wrap the log tightly, then place the butter in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step gives the flavors time to mingle and the butter to firm up for perfect spreading.

Step 4: Serve and Savor

Once chilled, your Shrimp Butter is ready to dazzle! Slice it into rounds or scoop it directly from the bowl. It’s best enjoyed spread onto warm bread, melting over steaks or seafood, or dolloped onto freshly cooked pasta.

How to Serve Shrimp Butter

Garnishes

A few well-chosen garnishes can turn Shrimp Butter into a guest-worthy centerpiece. Add a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley, a dusting of lemon zest, or even a wedge of lemon on the side for squeezing. For a touch of restaurant-style elegance, a tiny swirl of olive oil or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt does wonders.

Side Dishes

This spread shines alongside fresh crusty bread, toasted baguette slices, or simple crackers. For a light meal, serve it with crisp green salads or roasted vegetables. Shrimp Butter also pairs fantastically with grilled asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, or corn on the cob for that perfect surf-and-turf flavor punch.

Creative Ways to Present

Impress your guests by piping the chilled Shrimp Butter into rosettes or quenelles for an artisanal touch. You can also melt it over just-cooked pasta, toss it with roasted veggies, or top off a sizzling grilled steak. For brunch, serve a dollop atop scrambled eggs or savory waffles for a luxurious twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Shrimp Butter can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in parchment or plastic wrap. It stays fresh and tasty for up to 5 days—just bring it to room temperature for the best spreading texture before you serve again.

Freezing

Shrimp Butter freezes beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead treat. Simply roll it into a log and wrap it securely in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. You can enjoy this luxurious spread anytime within 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Reheating

If you prefer your Shrimp Butter slightly softer or want to melt it over hot dishes, gently warm it at room temperature or for a few seconds in the microwave. Stir well, and it’s ready to slather on your favorite foods.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for Shrimp Butter?

Yes, frozen shrimp works perfectly—just be sure to thaw, peel, and pat dry before chopping to avoid any extra moisture in your butter mixture. The flavor is still vibrant and delicious!

Is it possible to make Shrimp Butter dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap in your favorite plant-based butter for a dairy-free version. Just be sure to use a buttery alternative that has a texture and flavor you love since it’s a big part of the final result.

What kind of bread goes best with Shrimp Butter?

The beauty of this spread is its versatility! Warm baguette slices, sourdough, or crusty country loaves all make fantastic canvases for Shrimp Butter. You can even use it on crackers or as a topping for focaccia.

Can I blend the Shrimp Butter for a smoother texture?

Certainly! If you want your Shrimp Butter totally silky, pulse everything together in a food processor. It’s a great way to get an elegant, mousse-like spread that’s perfect for canapés or piping onto crackers.

Is Shrimp Butter safe for gluten-free diets?

Shrimp Butter itself is naturally gluten-free, as long as all your ingredients (especially the butter) are certified gluten-free. Just pair it with gluten-free bread or crackers to keep the whole dish safe for everyone.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited as I am to whip up a batch of Shrimp Butter and share it with the people you love! It turns the simplest meal into something memorable and is guaranteed to earn rave reviews. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself reaching for this zesty, luxurious spread again and again!

Shrimp Butter Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Shrimp Butter is a flavorful compound butter that combines the richness of butter with the essence of shrimp, garlic, and zesty lemon. Perfect for spreading on warm bread, topping grilled meats, or melting over pasta, this versatile shrimp butter adds a burst of seafood-inspired taste to any dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp Butter:

1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.

Stir until smooth and well blended. Fold in the finely chopped shrimp until evenly distributed.

Transfer the shrimp butter to a small serving bowl or roll it into a log using parchment paper.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld. Spread on warm bread, use as a topping for grilled steak or seafood, or melt over pasta.

Notes

For a smoother texture, pulse the shrimp with the butter in a food processor.
This shrimp butter freezes well—wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Condiment, Spread
Method: Mixing, No-Cook
Cuisine: American, French-Inspired