Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp

This slow cooker 4-ingredient garlic butter shrimp is an easy dinner for busy weeknights. Frozen shrimp cook gently in a buttery garlic and herb mixture, creating a simple sauce that’s perfect for spooning over rice, noodles, or crusty bread.

With very little preparation, the slow cooker handles most of the work while you get the rest of dinner ready.

 

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1–1 1/2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes

 

Ingredients

• 2 pounds raw frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on or tail-off)
• 1 cup salted butter, melted (2 sticks)
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced (or 1 1/2 tablespoons jarred minced garlic)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or dried parsley, basil, or oregano)

 

Directions

1. Add the shrimp: Place the frozen shrimp in an even layer in a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Do not thaw them first.
2. Make the garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, kosher salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined.
3. Combine: Pour the garlic butter evenly over the shrimp. Gently move the shrimp around so some of the butter reaches underneath.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 1–1 1/2 hours, checking around the 1-hour mark. Gently stir once halfway through cooking.
5. Check for doneness: The shrimp are ready when they are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Turn off the slow cooker as soon as they are done to prevent overcooking.
6. Serve: Spoon the garlic butter over the shrimp and serve immediately with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

 

Variations & Tips

• For some heat, add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the butter mixture.
• For a brighter flavor, add lemon zest to the butter and finish the cooked shrimp with fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
• For a Cajun-style version, replace the Italian seasoning with about 2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning, adjusting the salt as needed.
• Very large shrimp may need closer to 1 1/2 hours, while smaller shrimp can cook faster. Start checking early because shrimp can become rubbery if overcooked.

 

What to Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp

• Serve the shrimp over hot cooked rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad make easy side dishes.
• Crusty bread is also useful for soaking up the garlic butter sauce.

 

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in a covered container. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat just until warmed through to help prevent the shrimp from becoming tough.

 

Final Thoughts

This slow cooker garlic butter shrimp keeps dinner simple with frozen shrimp, butter, garlic, and herbs. It comes together with minimal preparation and pairs easily with rice, noodles, vegetables, or bread for a quick weeknight meal.