This Royal red shrimp recipe is quick, easy and irresistible. The shrimp are so tender and flavorful. A simple garlic butter sauce really elevates this dish. Although this shrimp recipe looks fancy, it takes less than 15 minutes total!

Royal red shrimp in skillet

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This Royal red shrimp recipe is quick and easy.
  • It takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
  • This recipe uses only a few ingredients.
  • If you prefer salmon, try this Sockeye Salmon!
  • The flavors are so fresh.
  • Everything is made in one skillet. This one skillet Halibut recipe is another great dinner recipe!
  • It may look and taste gourmet, but this recipe is foolproof.
  • This shrimp is Paleo, Keto, gluten free, sugar free, nut free, and low carb.
  • Check out this Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass for another great seafood dish.

What is Royal Red Shrimp?

Royal red shrimp are a unique type of shrimp. They are slightly sweeter than typical shrimp. In addition, these red shrimp are tender.

They come from Florida and look similar to small lobsters. They are not known to travel far and they are mostly found off the coast of Florida and Alabama. Both the Florida coast and Gulf of Mexico are home to these creatures.

This species can live upwards of 3 years. Regular shrimp have a shorter life span of just over a year.

These shrimp are in season from January to June. They can occasionally be harvested in November and December.

Since these Royal red shrimp are slightly sweeter, they pair well with simple flavors. In this case, an easy garlic butter sauce really allows the shrimp flavor to shine.

Feel free to use these red shrimp in place of regular shrimp in recipes. They are great fried, sautéed, grilled, baked or pan fried.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this Royal red shrimp recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

As with most seafood, use fresh shrimp if possible. If this is not possible, allow shrimp to fully thaw before making this recipe. Devein before making. For another idea, check out this Argentine Red Shrimp recipe.

Minced garlic adds a great garlicky flavor to the butter. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch if needed.

Butter pairs very well with shrimp. I do not recommend using oil since it lacks that classic buttery flavor. If needed, ghee may be used.

Both sea salt and black pepper add a subtle flavor.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon if desired. Highly recommend both!

Shrimp with garlic butter

Taste & Texture

This Royal red shrimp is slightly sweeter than typical shrimp. In addition, the garlic butter sauce is both buttery and garlicky. No surprises here!

The texture is so tender.

How to Cook Royal Red Shrimp

Step 1

First, add butter and minced garlic to a skillet over low medium heat.

Garlic butter in skillet

Step 2

Once butter has melted, add in shrimp, sea salt and pepper.

Fish in skillet

Step 3

Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and no longer transparent. This photo below was taken right after I had flipped the shrimp. As you can see, the top sides are cooked through while the bottoms are slightly transparent still.

Shrimp in pan

Step 4

Finally, remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon if desired.

Expert Tips & Tricks

For best results, use fresh shrimp. If this is not possible, allow shrimp to fully thaw.

Do not skimp on the butter, sea salt or pepper.

Only cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Shrimp cooks quickly due to its small size.

Check out the color of the shrimp while cooking. Once no longer transparent, it is done.

Do not over cook.

Red royal shrimp with butter

How to Serve & Store

Serve Royal red shrimp hot and fresh! It is delicious served with the garlic butter sauce.

This can easily be turned into a shrimp scampi with pasta. For a lower carb option, use hearts of palm pasta or spaghetti squash.

For another flavor, make this Buffalo Shrimp!

This Royal Red Shrimp has a similar sauce. Great to pair together!

This shrimp is also great served with roasted veggies or French fries.

For another lower carb option, serve shrimp on top of a salad.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The butter sauce will firm up when chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is special about Royal red shrimp?

They are slightly larger and slightly sweeter than regular shrimp.

What is the difference between Royal red shrimp and regular shrimp?

Royal red are more sweet and larger in size.

What do they taste like?

They taste like regular shrimp, but slightly more sweet.

Where are they caught?

They are caught off the coast of Florida and Alabama. They are most frequently caught between January and June.

How do you know when they are done cooking?

They are done cooking when they no longer look transparent.

Shrimp with lemon

You May Also Like

If you make this Royal red shrimp recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dinner Recipes.

Royal red shrimp in skillet

Get the Recipe: Royal Red Shrimp Recipe

This royal red shrimp recipe is tender, hearty and flavorful! The method of cooking is quick, easy and straightforward. This red shrimp is incredibly delicious!
4.67 from 3 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Royal red shrimp, deveined
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • fresh parsley, for garnish
  • lemon, for garnish

Instructions 

  • First, add butter and minced garlic to a skillet over low medium heat.
  • Once butter has melted, add in shrimp, sea salt and pepper.
  • Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and no longer transparent.
  • Finally, remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon if desired.

Notes

  • My local grocery store sells Royal red shrimp.  It can also be bought online.
  • Devein shrimp before cooking.
  • Shrimp is done cooking when it is no longer transparent.  It will become a light pink/warm white color.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Calories: 175kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 205mg, Sodium: 494mg, Potassium: 313mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 264IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 80mg, Iron: 1mg

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