Slow Cooker Garlic Shrimp

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 09/24/20
Slow cooker garlic shrimp

The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
307 Calories
18g Fat
9g Carbs
28g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 307
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 247mg 82%
Sodium 606mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 28g
Calcium 141mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This garlic shrimp is a snap to prepare and cook in a slow cooker. The dish needs very little attention, so it's perfect for a busy day or when you just don't have the stovetop or oven space for another dish.

The shrimp makes a fabulous appetizer. Arrange the shrimp and some of the sauce on a tray with toothpicks and toasted baguette slices. Or serve the shrimp and sauce with hot boiled rice or angel hair pasta.

Feel free to vary the seasonings. We used Creole seasoning, but a seasoned salt blend or plain kosher salt, paprika, and a dash of thyme or dried leaf basil would be excellent as well. Drizzle a few tablespoons of lemon juice over the shrimp before serving or serve the shrimp with lemon wedges.

See the tips below the recipe for a quick homemade Creole seasoning blend.

Ingredients

  • For the Garlic Shrimp
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic (peeled and thinly sliced)
  • 1 scant teaspoon Creole seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp (or jumbo shrimp, or about 21 to 30 per pound)
  • Garnish: 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
  • For the Creole Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for slowcooker garlic shrimp
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  2. Combine the butter, oil, sliced garlic, Creole seasoning, and the black and cayenne peppers in the crockery insert of a slow cooker.

    Combine garlic and butter
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  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 25 to 30 minutes.

    Cover and cook on high
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  4. Meanwhile, peel the shrimp.

    Shrimp
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  5. Run a small, sharp knife down the back of each shrimp. Pull the dark-colored vein out or scrape it out with the tip of the knife.

    Score shrimp
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  6. Rinse the shrimp under cold running water and pat dry. Repeat with all of the shrimp.

    Shrimp on paper towel
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  7. Add the prepared shrimp to the slow cooker and stir to coat them with the oil and butter mixture.

    Add the prepared shrimp
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  8. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring about halfway through the cooking time. The shrimp are done when they are opaque and pink in color.

    Cover and cook on high
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  9. Remove them to a serving dish and pour the sauce over them.

    Remove to serving dish
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  10. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve as an appetizer or main dish.

Quick Creole Seasoning

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for seasoning
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  2. In a bowl, combine all of the Creole seasoning ingredients and mix until well blended.

    Combine all seasoning in a bowl
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  3. Use in the above recipe. Whatever remains, cover and store in a cool, dark place.

Tip

  • ​If the store-bought Creole seasoning is salt-free, add about 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher salt, or to taste.