Shrimp scampi recipe lovers, this one’s for you! This quick, elegant dish is bursting with flavor—from buttery garlic to a splash of citrusy lemon and a kick of dry white wine. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can whip up at home in just 30 minutes. Whether you serve it over a twirl of pasta or alongside crusty bread to soak up the sauce, shrimp scampi is the perfect weeknight indulgence or date-night dinner. Best of all? You only need a few ingredients to make it shine.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍤 Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes
- 🍋 Bright & buttery – The balance of garlic, lemon, and white wine is unbeatable
- 🍝 Versatile – Serve with pasta, bread, rice, or even zucchini noodles
- 🧄 Garlic-forward – A dream dish for garlic lovers
- 🍽 Elegant but simple – Impress guests or treat yourself midweek
- 🌿 Fresh & light – Finished with fresh parsley for a herbaceous pop
Ingredients
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or vermouth
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Cooked pasta or crusty bread, for serving
Instructions
- Prep the shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sear the shrimp: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until just pink. Transfer to a plate.
- Make the sauce: Add remaining oil and butter to the pan. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).
- Deglaze: Pour in white wine and scrape up browned bits. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Finish it off: Return shrimp to pan. Add lemon zest, juice, parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir gently to coat.
- Serve immediately: Over warm pasta or with toasted bread to soak up the sauce.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 2 mains or 4 appetizers
Nutrition Facts (Per Main Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
Tips & Variations
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: They cook quickly—1–2 minutes per side is enough!
- Use good wine: Dry white wine or dry vermouth adds depth. Don’t use sweet varieties.
- No wine? Substitute with chicken broth and a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Add veggies: Toss in halved cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, or steamed broccoli.
- Make it spicy: Add extra chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Upgrade it: Top with grated Parmesan or a splash of cream for richness.
Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Equipment
- – Large skillet
- – Zester
- Tongs or spatula
- – Citrus juicer (optional)
Ingredients
- – 1 lb jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- – 3 tbsp olive oil
- – 4 garlic cloves minced
- – ½ cup dry white wine or vermouth
- – Zest of 1 lemon
- – Juice of ½ lemon
- – 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- – Pinch red pepper flakes optional
- – Pasta or bread for serving
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp oil in skillet over med-high.
- Sear shrimp 1–2 mins per side. Remove to plate.
- Add remaining oil + butter, sauté garlic 30 sec.
- Deglaze with wine, simmer 2–3 mins.
- Return shrimp. Add lemon zest, juice, parsley, and chili flakes. Stir and serve.
Notes
– Add cherry tomatoes or greens for variation
– Don’t overcook the shrimp!
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking.
What kind of wine should I use?
Use dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or vermouth. Avoid sweet wines.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use all olive oil instead of butter. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Conclusion
This shrimp scampi recipe is the definition of fast and flavorful. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a buttery, garlicky, lemon-kissed shrimp dish worthy of any fine dining restaurant. It’s simple enough for a Tuesday night and special enough for entertaining. Serve it over pasta, mop it up with crusty bread, and prepare for compliments. This one’s a keeper.