Craving a delicious, protein-packed shrimp dish that fits into the carnivore diet? This easy carnivore shrimp recipe delivers tender, garlic-infused shrimp in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce.
Made with simple carnivore-approved ingredients like shrimp, butter, cream, and Parmesan, this recipe will satisfy your cravings without compromising your carnivore goals.
The star of this dish is the plump, succulent shrimp seasoned with salt, pepper, and pan-fried to perfection. They are then simmered in a savory garlic and Parmesan broth that thickens into a smooth, decadent sauce.
So if you’re looking for a new go-to shrimp recipe to add variety to your carnivore diet, give this creamy garlic Parmesan shrimp a try. It’s easy to make and big on flavor. Just a few ingredients come together to create a restaurant-worthy dish you can feel good about eating.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Savory Garlic Butter Sauce– Who doesn’t love garlic butter sauce? This recipe features a rich, savory sauce made with butter, garlic, chicken broth, Parmesan, and cream.
As the sauce simmers, the flavors meld together into a decadent, irresistible pool of deliciousness that complements the shrimp perfectly.
Satisfying Yet Light– While extremely flavorful, this dish won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
Quick Yet Impressive Weeknight Meal– You can have this impressive looking and tasting meal on the table in under 30 minutes. The easy, short ingredient list also makes it a breeze to shop for and whip up on a weeknight after work.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this carnivore diet shrimp recipe you will need:
- 1 pound (500g) Shrimp
- 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat cream (cooking cream)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Butter (unsalted)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy carnivore shrimp recipe:
Step 1
Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Meanwhile, season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then fry for about 2 minutes on each side. After that, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.
Step 2
Add the butter to the same skillet and sauté the garlic for about 40 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and allow it to reduce by half.
Step 3
Reduce the heat to low-medium. Add the cream and bring to a simmer – don’t forget to stir. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer the sauce for about a minute until the cheese melts. At this point, the sauce will thicken.
Step 5
Add the shrimp back into the pan. You can also add a bit of parsley for garnishing if not following a 100% strict carnivore diet. Serve and enjoy the tasty carnivore shrimp!
💡Tips
1. The Shrimp
Choose large or jumbo shrimp for the best texture and visual appeal. Smaller shrimp can cook too quickly and become tough. If possible, opt for fresh, wild-caught shrimp for superior flavor and texture.
If using frozen shrimp, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator for the best results. Avoid thawing at room temperature.
Before cooking, make sure to pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. This will help them achieve a beautiful sear and prevent excess moisture from diluting the sauce.
2. Properly Season the Shrimp
Be generous when seasoning the raw shrimp before cooking. Use fresh cracked black pepper and sea salt or Himalayan pink salt. Allowing the salt and pepper to penetrate the shrimp while sautéing builds flavor.
Taste a piece of the cooked shrimp to check the seasoning, adding more to taste if needed. Proper seasoning is key in this simple carnivore shrimp recipe.
3. Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
It’s easy to accidentally overcook the shrimp. They only need 2 minutes total sautéing time. Be sure to set a timer and watch them closely. When shrimp are properly cooked, they will turn opaque and pink with tails that curl.
Overcooked shrimp will be tough and rubbery. Take them off the heat as soon as they are just cooked through for tender, juicy shrimp.
4. Garnish with Extra Parmesan
Adding some freshly grated Parmesan cheese just before serving gives a nice flavor and texture contrast. Use a high-quality Parmesan that you grate yourself. A sprinkle of Parmesan takes this carnivore shrimp to the next level.
5. Enhancing Flavor with Chicken Broth Reduction
The step involving the reduction of chicken broth is more than just a cooking process; it’s a flavor-enhancing technique. As the chicken broth reduces, its flavors concentrate, adding depth and richness to the sauce.
To achieve the best reduction, use a high-quality chicken broth, preferably homemade or a well-rated store brand with minimal additives. The reduction process should be done over medium heat, allowing a gradual evaporation.
Variations
1. Shrimp with Blue Cheese Sauce- Plump shrimp simmer in a rich and creamy blue cheese sauce made with heavy cream and crumbled blue cheese. The pungent flavor of the cheese pairs perfectly with the sweet brininess of the shrimp.
2. Smoked Carnivore Butter Shrimp – Use smoked salt, as well as smoked paprika to make the best tasting carnivore shrimp ever!
Storage
This delicious carnivore shrimp recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked shrimp for up to 3 months.
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If you liked my carnivore shrimp recipe- make sure to check out these carnivore recipes too:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why use reduced fat cream instead of full-fat cream in this carnivore diet recipe?
Reduced fat cream is chosen for this recipe to strike a balance between richness and a lighter texture, which complements the delicate flavor of the shrimp without overpowering it. Full-fat cream can be used for a richer sauce but may make the dish heavier.
2. How can I prevent the cream from curdling when added to the skillet?
To prevent the cream from curdling, ensure the heat is low to medium when you add it to the skillet. Gradually stirring the cream into the mixture also helps maintain a stable temperature, preventing separation.
3. Do I need to fully thaw the shrimp before cooking?
Yes, it works much better if the shrimp are fully thawed before adding to the hot skillet, for even cooking. Place frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Shrimp on Carnivore Diet
The Carnivore Diet is growing in popularity due to its simplicity and reported health benefits. The basic premise is to eat mostly meat and eliminate all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, dairy, etc.
While effective, the limited food variety can become boring over time. That’s where creative recipes like this Shrimp Scampi can add excitement and variety while conforming to carnivore dietary principles.
First, shrimp is an excellent carnivore protein source. It is high in protein, loaded with key nutrients like selenium and vitamin B12, while being low in calories and fat compared to other meats. Shrimp provides a nice change of pace from staples like beef, lamb, and chicken.
The high protein content, as well as compounds like astaxanthin which act as antioxidants, make shrimp a very healthy choice.
In addition, by preparing the shrimp in a savory sauce made with chicken broth, butter, cream and Parmesan cheese rather than breading and deep frying, all the flavors and juiciness are retained. This dish provides a rich, indulgent taste that is perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings in a carnivore-compliant way.
Using high fat ingredients like butter and cream adds healthy fats that provide fuel, make us feel satiated, and also make the sauce utterly delicious. The creaminess balances beautifully with the briny shrimp flavor.
Garlic adds lots of flavor without the carbs found in onion or shallots. A touch of parsley at the end gives a pop of freshness and color.
Overall, this decadent shrimp scampi recipe gives the carnivore dieter an exciting new option that breaks up the monotony of plain grilled meats. It provides plenty of protein along with beneficial nutrients not always found in land-dwelling animals.
The focus stays strictly on animal foods as no fruits, vegetables, grains or legumes are added. This allows followers to remain in a state of ketosis where their bodies run efficiently on fat as fuel.
So if you find yourself tiring of steak after steak, give this shrimp dish a try. It keeps you fully aligned with carnivore principles while treating your taste buds to something new and delicious. This scampi is sure to satisfy all your cravings and nutrition needs in one pan of buttery, garlicky goodness.
I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy carnivore diet shrimp recipe! The combination of garlic, cheese, and cream makes for a rich and flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with the shrimp.
Be sure to check out more of my recipes on the website for nutritious and satisfying meals that fit into a carnivore lifestyle. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below – I’m always happy to help out with tips for following this way of eating. Wishing you success and good health on your carnivore journey!
Carnivore Shrimp Recipe
- 1 pound Shrimp (500g)
- 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat cream (cooking cream)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Butter (unsalted)
- 2 tablespoons chopped Parsley
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Meanwhile, season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then fry for about 2 minutes on each side. After that, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.
- Add the butter to the same skillet and sauté the garlic for about 40 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and allow it to reduce by half.
- Reduce the heat to low-medium. Add the cream and bring to a simmer – don’t forget to stir. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer the sauce for about a minute until the cheese melts. At this point, the sauce will thicken.
- Add the shrimp back into the pan. You can also add a bit of parsley for garnishing if not following a 100% strict carnivore diet. Serve and enjoy the tasty carnivore shrimp!
Help me know what to buy for reduced-fat cream (cooking cream). Is it in the dairy isle or canned. Can you give me a brand to look for? I am clueless about this ingredient, but would love to try your recipe. Are you perhaps talking about half and half?
Hi,
It should be in the dairy isle. Look for 15% fat cream.
Thank you!