Shrimp Asparagus Recipe with garlic and mushrooms is the one skillet dinner I make when I want something fast and full of flavor without a sink full of dishes. Juicy shrimp, crisp tender asparagus, and garlicky mushrooms all cook in the same pan in under 20 minutes. There is no breading and no heavy sauce, just a few real ingredients cooked the right way. It is my go to when I need dinner on the table fast but still want it to taste like I tried.

Sauteed shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms in a skillet.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Photo of Olivia in her kitchen, founder of Primavera Kitchen

Personal Note

I started making this skillet years ago on nights when I got home late and still wanted something that felt like a real dinner, not a reheated one. Shrimp cooks in minutes, asparagus is in season for most of spring and summer, and mushrooms round out the pan so it never feels like it is missing something. That combination is why this version keeps coming back into my rotation more than any other shrimp skillet I make.

What makes this one different from a plain shrimp and asparagus saute is the order I cook everything in. I sear the shrimp first and pull it out, then build flavor in the same pan with the mushrooms and garlic before the asparagus goes in. It sounds like an extra step, but it is the reason the shrimp stays juicy instead of turning rubbery by the time everything comes back together.

Thomas asks for this one with extra garlic, so I usually double it, and Pierre likes his with a squeeze of lemon right at the end. On busier weeknights I serve it on its own, but when I want to round out the plate, I love it over my Fluffy Rice so the garlic butter has something to soak into. If you are feeding a bigger group, my Garlic Bread on the side turns this into a meal nobody leaves hungry from.

Key Ingredients:

All ingredients and their amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Shrimp: I use raw, extra large, peeled and deveined shrimp here, usually straight from the freezer since that is what I always have on hand.

Pro Tip: thaw shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes rather than at room temperature. It cooks more evenly and you avoid that watery puddle in the pan that keeps shrimp from browning.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic goes in twice in this recipe, once with the shrimp and again with the mushrooms, which is what gives the dish its name. I recommend mincing it fresh rather than using the jarred kind. It burns fast, so I add it right before the shrimp goes in rather than letting it sit in hot oil on its own.

Mushrooms: I have made this with cremini, shiitake, and plain white mushrooms, and all three work well. Cremini gives the deepest, most savory flavor of the three if you want my honest opinion. Slice them so they are roughly the same thickness as the asparagus pieces, since that is what keeps everything cooking at the same rate.

Asparagus: Trim the tough, woody ends before you start. I snap mine by hand rather than cutting with a knife, since the stalk naturally breaks right where the tender part begins. Thinner stalks work best here because they cook through in the same few minutes the mushrooms need, so you are not left with undercooked asparagus while everything else is done.

How to make shrimp asparagus recipe

A quick note before you start: I use a cast iron skillet for this because it holds heat well and helps the shrimp actually sear instead of steam. A large stainless skillet works too, just make sure it is big enough that the shrimp are not crowded.

Season the shrimp. Add the shrimp to a bowl with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and onion powder, and toss until every piece is coated. Seasoning it before it hits the pan means the flavor cooks into the shrimp instead of just sitting on the surface.

Sear the shrimp first, then set it aside. Warm the oil or ghee over medium heat, add the garlic, and sauté for about 30 seconds until it smells fragrant but has not browned. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, then remove it to a bowl. I pull the shrimp out here on purpose. If it stays in the pan while the vegetables cook, it overcooks and turns rubbery by the time you are ready to eat.

Cook the mushrooms first, then the asparagus. Add another tablespoon of oil, then the mushrooms, and let them cook for about 5 minutes before adding the asparagus. Mushrooms release moisture as they cook, so giving them a head start lets that moisture evaporate instead of steaming the asparagus and leaving it soggy.

Bring the shrimp back to the pan. Once the asparagus is fork tender but still bright green, stir the shrimp back in just to warm through. This is a matter of seconds, not minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve right away while the shrimp is still juicy.

    Garlic shrimp asparagus skillet.

    Olivia's Recipe Tips

    • Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning. If you are working from frozen, thawed shrimp holds extra water. Drying it with a paper towel first is the difference between a sear and a steam.
    • Swap in other quick cooking vegetables if you want variety. Snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli florets all work well in place of asparagus when it is out of season.
    • Add pasta if you want to stretch it into a bigger meal. Toss the finished skillet with cooked penne or linguine, a little pasta water, and a squeeze of lemon.
    • Finish with lemon juice or zest right before serving. I don’t add it during cooking because the acid can make the shrimp turn tough if it hits the pan too early.
    Sauteed shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms in a skillet.

    Shrimp Asparagus Recipe

    3.69 from 207 votes
    Author: Olivia Ribas
    Servings4 people
    Prep Time10 minutes
    Cook Time15 minutes
    Total Time25 minutes
    This shrimp asparagus recipe with garlic and mushrooms comes together in one skillet in about 20 minutes. It's a quick, fuss free dinner with no heavy sauce and just a handful of real ingredients.

    Video

    Save this recipe
    Enter your email and we’ll send it to you. Plus, you’ll get recipes & tips every week!

    Ingredients 
     

    Instructions 

    • In a bowl, add the shrimp, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and onion powder. Mix everything well.
    • In a cast iron skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or grass-fed ghee butter over medium heat.
    • Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
    • Add shrimp and sauté 1-2 minutes per side until cooked through. Don't overcrowd your skillet and work in batches if necessary. Be careful not to overcook shrimp as they can become tough/rubbery.
    • Remove sauteed shrimp from the skillet and set in a small bowl to the side.
    • In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with mushrooms. Sauté for 5 minutes. Then, add the asparagus and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
    • Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and mix everything well to combine.
    • Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!

    Notes

    To store: You can tightly wrap the shrimp asparagus skillet, once cooled, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    To reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
    To freeze: I do not recommend freezing this one. Asparagus turns limp and mushy once thawed, so it is best enjoyed fresh or as fridge leftovers.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4, Calories: 187kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 173mg, Sodium: 233mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did You Make This?

    Follow @primaverakitchen on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #primaverakitchen. We’d love to see your recreation.

    Olivia Ribas

    Welcome

    Hi, I'm Olivia


    I’m so happy you’re here!! For the last 12 years, I’ve been sharing easy, quick, and family-friendly recipes like chicken, salmon, ground meat and pork chops (total reader favorites!), perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

    Explore More

    Leave a comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate This Recipe:




    3.69 from 207 votes (187 ratings without comment)

    60 Comments

    1. Luc says:

      My wife and I just got done with this wonderful dish. It was easy to prepare and tastes great. I followed the recipe almost exactly, I do not measure, I eyeball it, and my wife loved it. This recipe will now go into my rotation for sure.

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        So happy to hear that!! Thanks for your feedback!

    2. ROSE says:

      I made this recipe last night. It was delicious. My husband is still raving about it. I used some more spices for the shrimp. honey garlic, zesty lemon, citrus herb, & several other spices. We love the sheet pan meal of cherry tomatoes, asparagus, & shrimp, & the balsamic chicken recipe. I pass these out to everybody I know.

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        So happy to hear that. You’re very kind. Thanks for sharing some of my recipes with people that you know. I appreciate it.

    3. Bonda says:

      So delicious! I will be making this again! I added old bay to and some lemon pepper to yummy 😋

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        Awesome! Happy you liked it!

    4. Heather says:

      I subbed avocado oil and added some penne pasta. Delicious!

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        That’s awesome!!!

    5. Vina Pennington says:

      Made this shrimp and asparagus recipe tonight. It was delicious. Will make again.

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        So glad you enjoyed this recipe!

    6. Eleanor DeBresser says:

      Loved this – had it for supper last night!

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        That’s awesome!

    7. Susan says:

      Loved this!! I follow a Whole30 program and this is perfect! I think I might try some lemon on it next time I cook it!

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        So happy you liked it! We love this recipe too 😉

    8. Lisa says:

      One of my favorite shrimp recipes. So fresh with the asparagus and mushrooms No heavy sauces. I like to make it when I have friends over for dinner as it comes together so fast.

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        So happy you like it! I love it too for the same reasons 😉

    9. Fran Rich says:

      Can I sautee green and red peppers with

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        Absolutely you can!

    10. Lisa says:

      This is a go to when I have company as it’s so quick and easy. I get to spend time with my guests! I serve it with a crusty warm baguette.

      1. Olivia Ribas says:

        That is exactly what I love to hear! Quick and easy so you can enjoy time with your guests — that is what cooking should be all about! And a warm crusty baguette on the side sounds perfect. What a great idea! 😊