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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 dinner.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Very yummy and a great base for many yummy things. The water/milk thing was a bit confusing – maybe add that 2 cups of water to the ingredients? And boy, it is necessary folks, so don’t leave it out. 🙂 My first time making polenta and didn’t know it would use up all that liquid. Thanks!! (didn’t make the shrimp yet — was practicing polenta) 🙂
Hey Patricia,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Water is never listed as an “ingredient”. xTieghan
I have an allergy to shrimp but the recipe sounds delicious. Do you think I can make it with Salmon instead?
Hey Courtney,
Sure, salmon or even scallops would both be great here. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
It says 2 cups of milk in the ingredients but then in the directions it says add water and milk.
Hey Kristi,
Yes, that is correct, please follow the recipe as is:) I hope you love it! xTieghan
This recipe calls for 1/2 cup of basil, but it’s not mentioned in the instructions. How do I incorporate it?
Ahh, I just found it. Right at the end! I’ll be making this tomorrow 🙂
Hey Alicia,
The basil is used in step 2. I hope you love the dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This was so easy, quick and turned out delicious! Will definitely make again!
Hey Susie,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was sooooo delicious! My husband said it was better than any shrimp and grits he’s had in a restaurant! Quick and easy and we’ll be adding to the regular rotation! Great job, Tieghan!
Hey Jennifer,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
Wonder if this could be done with grits as a substitute for polenta?
I used Grits tonight because I couldnt find polenta and it turned out great!
Hey Steph,
Yes, grits will also work well here. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Mine was super liquidity when I made it. Maybe it’s the 2 cups water and 2 cups milk? I may have to try it again with more corn possibly. Not sure where I went wrong but probably my mistake.
Hey Ashley,
So sorry to hear this! What kind of polenta did you use? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
I added cherry tomatoes at the same time as the lemon and basil, amazing!
Hey Barb,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
I’ve not made this yet…… I know I will!
In the directions it states to add water and milk? Do we add both? If so, how’s much water?
Thanks!!
Hey Wendy,
Yes, that is correct, the recipe calls for 2 cups of water, please follow the recipe as is. Let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
the ingredients don’t mention water but in the making it mentions add water and the milk. Does not say how much water unless that is an error
Hey Marie,
The recipe calls for 2 cups of water, water is not included on ingredient lists, please follow the recipe as is:) Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was dinner last night! Oh MY GOODNESS! My husband and I both loved this recipe. I altered it slightly by using a smoked chipotle spice. This will definitely be made over and over again in our home. Cannot wait to make it when our son comes home for a visit.
Hey Pamela,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
Couldn’t find dry Polenta so made our own. recipe was absolutely delicious!!
Hey Cheryl,
Happy Labor Day!?? Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Is there supposed to be water added to the polenta? It is not listed in the ingredients list, but is in the directions.
2 cups of water, as stated in instructions.
Hey Joe,
Yes, you will add water and milk. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi! Could I use frozen corn instead of on the cob? And will it still cook as I make this dish? Thanks!
Hey Monica,
Yes, totally fine to use frozen corn, you can follow the recipe as is. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Delicious! Added chicken sausage and chicken tenderloin to the pan with the shrimp and came out amazing
Hey Ana,
Awesome! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan