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Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Corn Polenta…a delicious bowl of late summer comfort food. This simple brown butter corn and parmesan polenta is creamy, perfectly buttery, and swirled with sweet corn. The shrimp is cooked in butter with spices and garlic, then finished with lemon…so flavorful and delicious! Especially when spooned over bowls of creamy polenta. A great under 30 minutes dish.
Sometimes recipes are just a little more special. They might be more delicious, simpler to prepare, or just prettier. And while I know this shrimp might not seem oh so special or better than any other shrimp, I promise you it’s delicious.
Extra special as I love to say.
The only reason this recipe came to be is simple. My brother Red and his girlfriend, Hailey, are in town for the week. Whenever I have brothers in town I usually try to make something they love. But Red and Hails are even more fun because they’re down to try pretty much anything, and they love seafood.
I love cooking for others, so I used these two as a good excuse to make something they’d love. Since Hailey is really into shrimp I started with that, then built this quick recipe.
It’s spicy shrimp in a crazy delicious lemon butter sauce with creamy polenta.
Here are the details – start with the polenta
You need lots of corn, butter, and quick cooking polenta.
Start by cooking the butter and corn together until the butter browns and the corn begins to pop. Stir in a little milk and then the polenta.
The key here is to stir the polenta for five minutes until it gets creamy, then cover, and let it sit while you make the shrimp.
Once the polenta has been sitting for a bit, stir in lots and lots of parmesan cheese.
Now make the shrimp
It’s pan seared in butter with cajun seasonings until both sides are browned. I love to make my own homemade cajun spice mix, but if you’re in a pinch, store bought works too.
When the shrimp has crisped, add the garlic and fresh thyme. Then remove the shrimp from the heat and add the lemon juice. It takes maybe five or ten minutes from start to finish – tops.
Simple, but so much flavor from all the spices, garlic, and lemony butter pan sauce.
Finish it up
Spoon the creamy polenta into bowls, then spoon the shrimp and sauce overtop. I top with lots of fresh basil, and serve with crusty bread and a big arugula salad from the garden.
So quick and simple – so delicious.
The shrimp is definitely the star here, but it really can’t be the star without it’s supporting actor, the polenta. So be sure to make them both. Trust me, you’re going to love it!
Looking for other shrimp recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Honey Garlic Shrimp, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Salad
Spicy Southern Style Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo
Sheet Pan Jalapeño Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Garlic Sauce
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Corn Polenta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Corn Polenta
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 434 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
Parmesan Corn Polenta
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 ears corn – kernels removed from the cob
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup dry polenta
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- kosher salt and black pepper
Shrimp
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/2 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
Instructions
- 1. To make the polenta. In a medium pot, melt together the butter and corn. Cook 5-8 minutes, until the butter browns around the corn. Add 2 cups water and the milk. Bring to a low boil, then whisk in the polenta, stirring until the polenta is soft and thick, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat off, cover the pot, and let the polenta sit 5 minutes.2. Meanwhile, make the shrimp. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, shrimp, cajun seasonings, and a big pinch of pepper. Cook on both sides until seared, about 2-3 minutes per side. Stir in the garlic and thyme and continue to cook until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and basil. 3. Spoon the polenta into bowls, then spoon the shrimp and sauce over the polenta. Eat and enjoy!
Notes
Homemade Cajun Seasoning: mix 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Makes 3/4 cup.
This post was originally published on August 11, 2021
Made this last night and it was absolutely delicious. My husband’s comment was “
I’d be happy paying $25 for this in a restaurant.” The highest praise. Could you update the ingredient list to add the necessary water for the polenta?
Hey Christina,
Fantastic, I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Water is never included in an ingredient list:) xTieghan
Loved this recipe. I added some sliced Avocado on the side for a bit of color. I’m complating how else to use the wonderful Polenta. A bit warm for the coastal Carolina summer even though the fresh corn is in. We’ll see!
Hey Jane,
Fantastic, I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
This was A+++ everyone was so impressed. Recipe was spot on and easy to follow!
Hey Ginger,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) xTieghan
This was so delicious! My super picky daughter said it was “bustin” which means awesome in tween language!
Hey Michelle,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) xTieghan
This was delicious and so easy to make! Will definitely be making again for my family.
Hey Katelyn,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) xTieghan
Yum! Had to make it with chicken,,shrimp recall. Thanks for another great recipe
Hey Glenda,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) xTieghan
So delicious! I made this for my mom’s bday dinner and everyone loved it. I doubled the recipe and we will be eating polenta for days. Next time I will only make 1 or 1.5 times the polenta for double the shrimp recipe.
Hey Mel,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) xTieghan
Hi!
I usually use cornmeal for my polenta. Can I use that in this recipe? Absolutely love your recipes!!
Thank you!
Hey Steph,
Sure, cornmeal will also work well here. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
OMG…this recipe is an orgasm for your mouth! I used Silver Queen corn on the cob, lemon, basil, and thyme, fresh from a farmers market.
Hey John,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hi! So it’s 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk for the polenta?
Hey Gabby,
Yes, that is correct:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
What do you mean add 2 cups water abs the milk… so does that mean 2 cups water abs 2 cups milk??
Hey Priscila,
Yes, that is correct. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This is really good! I make shrimp and grits but this is better. It comes together quickly. I made it for Sunday dinner but would be perfect for a weeknight dinner. The only polenta available at my store today was refrigerated polenta but made it work.
Hey Nadine,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
I made this last night for company and it was a total hit. Absolutely nothing left, they even used the bread to get all the goodies out of the pan!!! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Hey Barbara,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
I made this dish the other day and it was soo easy but soo good!! Love your recipes!!!
Hey Ola,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Made this last night, making polenta DF. Was delicious! And a hit.
Hey MJ,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
What amount do you consider one serving?
Hey Sarah,
I would say about 1 cup of polenta and 5-6 shrimp give or take a little:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan