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Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Name: Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 pound jumbo shrimp, shells on (preferably head-on); 10 to 12 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 lemon, cut into wedges; 3 cups steamed white rice, for serving; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish

Hawaiian garlic shrimp recipe: plump shrimp sizzled in a mountain of buttery garlic, the famous North Shore shrimp truck experience made easy at home.

⏱ 15 minPrep time

🔥 30 minCook time

🍽 4Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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Garlic shrimp was born on Oahu’s North Shore, where shrimp trucks line Kamehameha Highway and feed surfers, locals, and tourists alike. The legendary version piles a whole head of garlic into bubbling butter and oil, then tosses in shell-on shrimp until they crackle and turn pink.

What makes it great is the simplicity: sweet, briny shrimp, nutty browned butter, and a garlicky sauce that begs to be sopped up with steamed rice. Served with a wedge of lemon and a scoop of mac salad, it is messy, loud, and absolutely unforgettable.

Hawaii recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until just pink; transfer to a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2 minutes.
Return the shrimp to the skillet, add the soy sauce, and toss to coat in the garlic butter for 1 minute.
Serve hot over rice with lemon wedges and a shower of parsley.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Leave the shells on, they protect the shrimp from the intense heat and soak up the garlic butter. Use your fingers to peel at the table; it is half the fun.

Recipe details

Prep15 min

Cook30 min

Servings4

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

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Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

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Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

Rate this recipe

Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

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