Garlic Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Indulge in our delightful shrimp scampi recipe featuring a blend of garlic, butter, white wine, and lemon – a luxurious yet quick and effortless dish to prepare. This garlic butter shrimp creation is bound to be your ultimate favorite.

Shrimp scampi is a timeless classic that can be whipped up in minutes within the comfort of your home. This makes it a go-to choice for my weeknight dinners. Even if you start with frozen shrimp, you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time (refer to my tips below for quick thawing).

This garlicky shrimp pairs wonderfully with toasted bread, but it’s equally delightful when served over pasta for a satisfying dinner. For more effortless shrimp recipes, consider trying our cilantro lime butter shrimp for a flavorful twist!

Key Ingredients

• Shrimp: Opt for fresh, high-quality jumbo or large shrimp for optimal texture and flavor. Keep the tails on for an elegant presentation or remove them for easier consumption. If using frozen shrimp, check out my tip below for speedy thawing (a method I frequently use).
• Shallots, Garlic, and Red Pepper Flakes: Sautéed in olive oil, these aromatic ingredients form the foundation of our delectable sauce.
• Fresh Lemon Juice and White Wine: These components deglaze the pan to craft the classic scampi sauce. The ideal wine choice is a dry, crisp white variety such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or unoaked Chardonnay. With ½ cup required in our recipe, select a wine that complements the finished dish. A light vegetable broth serves as a good alternative.
• Butter and Parsley: Incorporate these towards the end to create a velvety, garlic-infused butter sauce that envelops each shrimp beautifully.

Discover the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make the Best Shrimp Scampi

Tip 1: How to quickly thaw frozen shrimp. If you have fresh or thawed shrimp on hand, you can skip to the next tip. However, if you, like me, have a bag of frozen shrimp in your freezer, follow these steps for rapid thawing:

• Option 1 (the quickest): Place your frozen shrimp in a bowl without the bag and cover them with cold water (cold water is crucial, avoid using warm or hot water). Thawing should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Remember to change the water a few times (keeping it cold) and occasionally shift the shrimp to aid in the thawing process. Note: Avoid leaving the shrimp in water for more than 30 minutes, as it may affect their texture.
• Option 2: Insert the shrimp into a sealed plastic bag (such as a ziplock bag), removing as much air as possible. Fully submerge the bag of shrimp in a large bowl of cold water, flipping the bag occasionally and changing the water every 30 minutes until the shrimp have thawed.

Tip 2: Pat the shrimp dry. Whether using fresh or thawed shrimp, ensure to pat them dry with paper towels to promote browning in the skillet rather than steaming.

Tip 3: Cook the aromatics. Prior to cooking the shrimp, add shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes to olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the shallots become soft and emit a sweet aroma.

Tip 4: Cook the shrimp in a single layer. Place the shrimp in the skillet with the aromatics, arranging them in a single layer (or as close to one as possible). This allows each shrimp to sear properly. Each side will require approximately 2 minutes to cook. Shrimp cook swiftly, so monitor them closely. As soon as they are done, remove them from the pan and set aside to prevent overcooking while finishing the sauce.

Tip 5: Make the scampi sauce. Your skillet will now contain the aromatics, residual shrimp bits, and some liquid from cooking the shrimp. Enhance these flavors with white wine and lemon juice. Allow the sauce to simmer and slightly reduce, then turn off the heat and swirl in butter to impart a creamy texture. Add the shrimp back to the skillet, toss them well in the sauce, and savor every bite!

Serving Suggestions

There are several ways to enjoy this dish. One popular option is shrimp scampi pasta. To transform our recipe below into a pasta delight, cook around 8 ounces of spaghetti, fresh pasta, or linguini in salted boiling water until al dente, then transfer the pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and sauce using tongs. Toss thoroughly, adding a splash of starchy pasta cooking water to aid in the process. If needed, incorporate a touch more butter before serving! For a lower-carb alternative, combine the shrimp with our garlic zucchini noodles.

Aside from pasta, I relish spooning some shrimp and sauce over toasted or grilled bread. Sourdough and focaccia are excellent choices. Alternatively, serve the dish as is alongside other light Italian fare like Caprese salad, Caesar salad, bruschetta, polenta, or our olive oil bread dip.

More of Our Favorite Shrimp Recipes