If you are looking for a dish that is as visually stunning as it is flavorful, the Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe is your new go-to. This dish layers juicy, garlic-infused shrimp atop creamy avocado, fresh cucumber, and fluffy jasmine rice, creating a perfect harmony of textures and colors. Every bite bursts with rich butter, zesty lemon, and just the right amount of smoky paprika, making it both elegant and comforting. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a special occasion, this recipe delivers a deliciously fresh and vibrant experience that feels like a celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple but essential to building a Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe that sings with flavor and freshness. Each component adds its own unique touch—guaranteeing a dish that’s balanced in taste, texture, and eye appeal.
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined: Fresh or thawed shrimp ensures juicy, tender bites full of ocean goodness.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: The key to that rich, silky garlic butter sauce.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps sauté the shrimp evenly and adds subtle fruitiness.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Delivers an aromatic punch that elevates every layer.
- Juice of 1 lemon: Brightens the dish with fresh acidity, cutting through the richness.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a warm, smoky depth that makes this recipe truly memorable.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and enhancing natural flavors.
- 1 cup cooked jasmine or basmati rice: Light and fluffy, acting as the perfect foundation.
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced or mashed: Provides creamy texture and mild buttery flavor.
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber: Adds refreshing crunch and a cool contrast.
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped: Brings a hint of sharpness and color.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped: Bright herbaceous finish to lift the dish.
- Extra lemon wedges for serving: A zesty squeeze just before eating enhances all flavors.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic and Shrimp
Start by heating the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to let it brown. Then, add your peeled and deveined shrimp, sprinkling in the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque, signaling they’re perfectly cooked. Finish this step by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the shrimp to add brightness, then remove the pan from the heat.
Step 2: Prepare the Base Layers
While the shrimp are cooking, make sure you have your jasmine or basmati rice cooked and ready. The rice should be fluffy but slightly sticky to help hold the stack together. Slice or mash your ripe avocado depending on your texture preference. Combine diced cucumber and finely chopped red onion in a small bowl for the crunchy, tangy layer that beautifully balances the richness of the shrimp stack.
Step 3: Assemble the Stack
To create the iconic stack, you can use a food ring mold for neat layers or simply free-form everything on a plate for a rustic charm. Begin with a layer of cooked rice, pressing gently to create a firm base. Next, add the avocado layer, spreading or slicing it evenly. Follow this with the cucumber and red onion mix to introduce crisp freshness. Lastly, top your stack with a generous portion of the garlic butter shrimp. If using a mold, press gently to set the layers and carefully lift it off. The result is a stunning tower of flavors and textures.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing touches are everything! Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro atop the stack for a pop of green and herby brightness. Add extra lemon wedges on the side so everyone can customize the zing to their liking. These simple garnishes make the dish look inviting and add layers of fresh flavor.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing sides like a crisp garden salad or steamed vegetables. For more substance, consider serving with crusty bread to soak up any leftover garlic butter sauce. The balance of light and hearty sides lets the shrimp stack shine as the star of the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow guests or elevate a weeknight dinner? Consider plating individual stacks on elegant white plates for a sophisticated look. You can also turn this into an appetizer by creating smaller, bite-sized versions using mini molds. Another fun twist is layering the ingredients in a glass jar for a modern, portable shrimp parfait that looks just as good as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which sometimes happens in the best way), store the components separately in airtight containers. This keeps textures fresh and prevents the avocado from browning too quickly. The shrimp and rice will stay flavorful for up to two days in the fridge.
Freezing
While it’s best to enjoy this Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe fresh, you can freeze cooked shrimp and rice separately for up to one month. However, avocado and fresh veggies do not freeze well. When ready to use, thaw shrimp and rice overnight in the fridge and prepare fresh avocado and cucumber layers to maintain the dish’s vibrant texture.
Reheating
Reheat shrimp and rice gently in a skillet over medium heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Avoid microwaving the stack as it may make the avocado mushy and the shrimp rubbery. Freshen up the plate by adding fresh avocado slices and cucumber after reheating for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp fully and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they sauté nicely and aren’t watery.
What can I substitute for smoked paprika?
If smoked paprika isn’t available, regular paprika or a pinch of chili powder can be used to maintain a hint of warmth and color, though the smoky flavor will be milder.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this entire Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use plain rice and fresh ingredients without any added gluten-containing sauces.
Can I make this dish vegan?
For a vegan version, swap shrimp with marinated and sautéed mushrooms or tofu and replace butter with a vegan butter or olive oil to keep that rich, garlic flavor.
How spicy is the dish?
The base recipe is mild, but you can easily add red pepper flakes during cooking to give the shrimp a spicy kick that complements the buttery garlic sauce beautifully.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe that makes it a standout on any table. The layers of buttery shrimp, creamy avocado, and crisp veggies wrapped in fragrant rice come together to create a dish that feels like a celebration every time. I encourage you to try making it at home—it’s simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough to impress. Once you dive into this flavorful stack, you’ll find yourself craving it again and again!
Print
Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Stack is a delicious and elegant main course featuring perfectly cooked shrimp sautéed in garlic butter and smoked paprika, layered with fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and red onion. Garnished with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, this dish offers a vibrant combination of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Stack Layers
- 1 cup cooked jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced or mashed
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Extra lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2–3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque.
- Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the cooked shrimp for a bright, fresh flavor, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Assemble the Stack: Using a food ring mold or free-form, start with a layer of cooked rice on the plate. Next, add a layer of mashed or sliced avocado followed by a mixture of diced cucumber and finely chopped red onion.
- Add Shrimp Layer: Top the stack with a generous portion of the garlic butter shrimp. If using a mold, press gently to set the layers together, then carefully lift the mold off.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the top with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with extra lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the shrimp.
- Substitute cauliflower rice for a low-carb, keto-friendly version.
- This dish can be served warm or chilled for a refreshing option.
