This Garlic Butter Shrimp with Sprite is a dish that brings together simple ingredients and bold flavor. It’s quick to make, beautifully garlicky, rich with butter, and has that subtle sweetness from lemon-lime soda that makes it stand out. It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t need much convincing — once you taste it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
Why I Love Making This Dish
Growing up near coastal areas, shrimp dishes were always a part of family gatherings. Whether it was a quick dinner or a backyard get-together, a pan of sizzling shrimp with garlic and butter would always be on the table. But what makes this version unforgettable is the addition of Sprite.
The soda caramelizes slightly as it cooks down with the butter and garlic, giving the shrimp a beautiful glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and savory all at once. It’s a dish that tastes like it took a lot of effort — but in reality, it comes together in under 20 minutes.
A Little Backstory
In Filipino cooking, using Sprite (or any lemon-lime soda) is a common kitchen trick. It’s used to marinate meat, tenderize chicken, or add a sweet-tart note to stews and stir-fries. For shrimp, it does two things: it enhances the natural sweetness of the seafood and adds a light, syrupy glaze that clings to every bite.
This method is especially popular in casual family-style seafood feasts. The moment the shrimp hits the pan with garlic and butter, the aroma fills the room — and it’s usually the first dish to disappear from the table.
What You’ll Need
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Fresh shrimp or prawns: Head and shell on for the best flavor.
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Butter: Gives the dish a rich, savory base.
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Garlic: Lots of it — this is what makes the flavor pop.
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Sprite (or any lemon-lime soda): For that sweet-tangy glaze.
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Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning to let the shrimp shine.
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Parsley or scallions (optional): For a touch of freshness.
I’ve made this dish with peeled shrimp before, but keeping the shells on makes a big difference. It locks in the juices and gives the sauce more depth.
Step-by-Step: How I Cook Garlic Butter Shrimp with Sprite
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Prep the shrimp. Rinse and pat dry. If using head-on shrimp, give them a quick trim.
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In a wide pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned.
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Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for a minute or two until they start to turn pink.
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Pour in the Sprite, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Let it cook down until the sauce thickens and lightly coats the shrimp.
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Give everything a gentle toss to make sure the glaze is evenly distributed.
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Garnish with parsley or scallions and serve immediately.
When the sauce bubbles down, it creates a shiny glaze that clings to the shrimp — that’s when you know it’s ready.
Tips and Tricks
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Shell-on shrimp tastes better. It adds a depth of flavor you can’t get with peeled shrimp.
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Don’t overcook. Shrimp cooks fast — once it turns pink and opaque, it’s done.
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Use real butter. Margarine won’t give the same richness.
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Simmer, don’t boil. A gentle simmer lets the Sprite reduce into a syrupy glaze.
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Adjust the sweetness. If you want it less sweet, let the sauce reduce longer or add a pinch of salt.
Make Ahead Tips
You can clean and prep the shrimp earlier in the day, then refrigerate them until ready to cook. The sauce itself is best made fresh, but the quick cooking time makes it easy to pull off even for last-minute meals.
Serving Suggestions
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With steamed rice: The sauce soaks beautifully into the rice, making every bite flavorful.
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Over garlic noodles: Perfect for a more indulgent twist.
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With crusty bread: Ideal for mopping up all that buttery, garlicky sauce.
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With a squeeze of lemon: If you like a little brightness at the end.
This is one of those dishes that disappears fast, so don’t be surprised if you end up making a double batch.
Storage
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Fridge: Keeps well for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
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Reheat gently: Warm over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
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Freezing isn’t ideal once cooked, but you can freeze cleaned raw shrimp ahead of time.
FAQs
Can I use peeled shrimp?
Yes, but head and shell on shrimp bring out a deeper flavor.
Can I use 7UP instead of Sprite?
Yes, any lemon-lime soda will work.
Can I make it less sweet?
Let the sauce reduce longer or balance with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Can I make this spicy?
Definitely. Add a few chili flakes or fresh chili to the garlic butter for a gentle heat.
The Best Garlic Butter Shrimp with Sprite
This Garlic Butter Shrimp with Sprite is a true crowd-pleaser — sweet, garlicky, buttery, and unbelievably easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp or prawns, deveined (shells and heads on preferred)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- 1 tablespoon oil of choice
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup Sprite or any lemon-lime soda
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- juice of 1 lemon (optional)
- chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Sauté half of the garlic until golden and crisp, then scoop it out and set it aside — this will be your garnish.
- In the same pan, melt the butter with the remaining garlic, letting it cook just until fragrant. Pour in the Sprite and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let the liquid bubble for a few minutes to reduce slightly and deepen in flavor.
- Add the shrimp to the pan, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until the shells turn bright pink and the flesh is fully opaque. This happens quickly, so keep an eye on them.
- Remove the shrimp once cooked, then simmer the sauce a little longer if you want it slightly thicker.
- Pour the sauce over the shrimp, squeeze in a few drops of lemon juice if using, and finish with the crispy garlic and herbs.
- Serve immediately over hot steamed rice.
Notes
- Leaving the shells and heads on adds a wonderful depth of flavor because the shrimp heads hold rich, briny goodness that enhances the sauce. If you’re not a fan of eating the heads, cook with them anyway and simply remove them at the table. This dish works beautifully with up to 1½ pounds of shrimp if you want to stretch it for a bigger crowd.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 228Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 182mgSodium 893mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 0gSugar 11gProtein 18g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
Garlic Butter Shrimp with Sprite is the kind of recipe that reminds me why simple cooking can be so satisfying. It’s fast, easy, and filled with flavor. That buttery glaze with a hint of sweetness clinging to every piece of shrimp feels indulgent yet approachable. Whether you serve it for a casual dinner or a small gathering, it’s guaranteed to bring everyone to the table — and leave no leftovers behind.
