Are you craving a restaurant-quality meal but short on time? Then this Insta Pot shrimp recipe is your answer! This incredibly easy recipe delivers succulent, perfectly cooked shrimp in minutes, leaving you with more time to enjoy your delicious and healthy meal. It’s a fantastic option for busy weeknights, a simple yet impressive dish for guests, or a healthy addition to your weekly meal plan. Let's dive in and create some magic in your Instant Pot!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Insta Pot
Set your Instant Pot to the "Sauté" function. Once hot, add the butter and olive oil. Let it melt completely.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and oil. Sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Add Shrimp and Seasonings
Add the shrimp, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Gently toss to coat the shrimp evenly with the garlic-infused butter mixture.
Step 4: Deglaze the Pot (Optional but Recommended)
Pour in the lemon juice and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. This step adds extra flavor!
Step 5: Pressure Cook the Shrimp
Pour 1/2 cup of water into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the valve to "sealing." Cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once the pressure is released, carefully open the lid. Stir in the chopped parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges. This dish pairs perfectly with rice, pasta, or a simple salad.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Shrimp:
- Don't overcook the shrimp: Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery. The 1-minute pressure cook time is perfect for large shrimp. For smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time to 30 seconds.
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp: The flavor of your dish depends heavily on the quality of your ingredients.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to suit your preferences. A dash of cayenne pepper adds a nice kick!
Variations:
- Spicy Shrimp: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy twist.
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi: Increase the garlic to 4-6 cloves and add a splash of white wine for a classic scampi flavor.
- Lemon Herb Shrimp: Experiment with different herbs like dill, thyme, or oregano.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is based on a 4-serving recipe and may vary depending on specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Protein: 20-25g
- Fat: 8-12g
- Carbohydrates: 1-2g
This Insta Pot shrimp recipe is a delicious, healthy, and incredibly easy meal that's perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this quick dinner idea and let us know in the comments how you liked it! We love hearing from our readers. Happy cooking!