I have tried making many different types of shrimp dishes in my lifetime. But one of the best ones is this easy shrimp scampi recipe.
Over time, I have spent hours perfecting this recipe, and today, I will teach you how to make this delicious garlic-butter shrimp scampi.
It is a classic shrimp scampi recipe made with lemon and white wine, which makes it taste amazing. It’s also very quick and easy to make, very elegant, and packed with flavor, making it perfect for a weeknight or lazy days.
So without further ado, let me show you how to make this Italian shrimp scampi, and give you all the details and history you need to know about the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Quick and ready in under 20 minutes.
- Rich garlic butter and lemon flavor.
- Made using simple ingredients, but with restaurant-quality results.
- Perfect for quick dinners or special meals.
- Pairs well with many kinds of side dishes.
What Is Shrimp Scampi?
This lemon garlic shrimp recipe originates from Italian cuisine, and it will leave your guests licking their fingers and wanting second servings.
Scampi actually means a kind of small and clawed lobster dinner in Italian, but we make this recipe using only shrimp.
The traditional garlic butter and wine sauce is the special ingredient that makes this dinner taste mouthwatering. And this shrimp with white wine sauce pairs well with any kind of pasta.
Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Shrimp: Make sure your shrimp is peeled and deveined before you start cooking. Using fresh shrimp is ideal.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To add flavor, give the homemade shrimp scampi a spicy kick.
- Olive Oil: For cooking the shrimp.
- Butter: Using unsalted butter instead of oil gives the recipe a unique buttery flavor.
- Garlic: If you use freshly minced garlic in this recipe, it will give it its signature taste.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For added spice.
- Chicken Broth: Makes the shrimp pasta dinner taste wholesome. Just make sure you use a low-sodium one.
- Lemon Juice: Gives a zesty flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Chop up some parsley to finish off plating.
Tips for Perfect Shrimp Scampi
- You should use large to extra large shrimp, which should be 16 to 25 count per pound, to make this dish.
- Make sure you brine the shrimp for about 15 minutes in a mixture of salt and baking soda so that it doesn’t become rubbery.
- Add the lemon juice last before adding the butter for the best results.
- To get a silky smooth sauce, you should whisk the cold butter into the warm pan sauce, then add the white wine and lemon juice.
Storage & Reheating
- If you want to refrigerate your leftover garlic butter shrimp, you can do so for about 3 to 4 days.
- You can reheat the shrimp with lemon and garlic in the pan with a little bit of olive oil drizzle on low heat, or microwave it.
- If you wanted to, you could freeze it, but make sure you put it in an airtight and freezer-safe container.
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi
- You can serve this restaurant-style shrimp scampi with linguine or spaghetti to make a shrimp scampi pasta recipe.
- This shrimp cooked in garlic will taste great with garlic bread if you love the taste of garlic.
- You can also eat it with steamed rice if you want.
- Make a fresh salad to serve the shrimp with.
- You can opt for roasted vegetables too.
Variations to Try
- Shrimp Scampi Pasta: Add some cooked pasta to the scampi sauce, quick shrimp dinner to make a recipe variant.
- Creamy Shrimp Scampi: You can add some heavy cream to the sauce to make an even creamier version.
- Spicy Shrimp Scampi with Chili Flakes: If you want to add more spice, add extra chili flakes to your desire.
- Low-Carb Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles: Make some zucchini noodles to have with the shrimp instead of pasta for a low-carb version.
Shrimp Scampi Recipe – Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp in 20 Minutes
Ingredients
- 500 grams Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- ½ cup Chicken Broth (low- sodium)
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Instructions
Cooking the Shrimp
- Peel and devein the shrimp.
- Take a bowl and add salt and pepper to the shrimp.
- Toss the shrimp and marinate for about 20 minutes.
- Put a pan or skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Warm up some olive oil and unsalted butter.
- Add the shrimp to the pan, and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
Making the Sauce
- Take out the shrimp from the pan.
- Put the stove on medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and chili flakes, and saute for about 30 seconds until they turn fragrant.
- Now, add the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes until halved.
Making the Shrimp Scampi
- Add fresh lemon juice and the cooked shrimp.
- Toss the shrimp to coat them in the sauce.
- Cook for another minute.
- Plate the shrimp and garnish it with some freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- Make sure you brine the shrimp for about 15 minutes in a mixture of salt and baking soda so that it doesn’t become rubbery.
- Add a bit of corn starch or all-purpose flour to the sauce if it becomes too oily.
- You need to have the heat on medium and not cook for too long so that the garlic doesn’t burn during cooking.
- If your sauce is lacking flavor, just add some black pepper, salt, garlic, and red pepper flakes as needed.
Recipe FAQs
What size shrimp works best for shrimp scampi?
Large to extra-large-sized shrimp work best for this recipe.
Can shrimp scampi be made without wine?
Yes, if you want a non-alcoholic version, you can make this dish without the white wine and use chicken broth or a little extra lemon juice instead. It will still be flavorful and delicious.
How long does the shrimp scampi last in the fridge?
The shrimp scampi can last in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.
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