How to Make Shrimp Scampi

Big plump shrimp cooked in a garlic sauce made with butter and lemon juice and white wine come together to make the most delicious  Shrimp Scampi! 

Versatile and easy to prepare shrimp is a great way to make a quick dinner! You can use shrimp to make any number of dishes like Garlic Parmesan Shrimp, or delicious Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta or shrimp tacos. 

Shrimp is also perfect for making mouthwatering appetizers like a classic Shrimp Cocktail or this creamy Baked Shrimp Dip. 

Ingredients: 

• Shrimp  (peeled and deveined)
• Garlic 
• Butter
• White Wine  or Chicken Broth 
• Lemon Juice
• Olive Oil 
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional) 
• Parsley (for garnish)
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions: 

1. Heat a 10–12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
2. Cook shrimp in three batches, cooking for about 2 minutes per side.  Remove cooked shrimp, add another tablespoon of olive oil and butter for the second batch, repeat until all shrimp are cooked.
3. Reduce temperature to medium, add one tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic to the skillet.  Cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
4. Add wine and lemon juice, cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Return shrimp to the pan, add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly. 
6. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Substitutions and  Variations: 

Lemon Juice: Juice squeezed fresh is best but you can also use bottle lemon juice. 

Garlic:  Garlic is the one of the main ingredients in this recipe so I recommend using fresh garlic cloves. However, you can use a tablespoon jarred minced garlic or a teaspoon of garlic powder.

Garnish: Squeeze some added lemon juice over the shrimp to add some brightness. Fresh cracked black pepper is also a great addition.

Toss In Pasta: Toss the shrimp with pasta, or serve with crusty bread for dipping. 

Do I have to use wine to make this recipe?

No, if you don’t want to use wine to make the sauce for the Shrimp Scampi you can swap it for a 1/2 cup chicken broth.

What kind of shrimp to buy:

You can choose from fresh or frozen shrimp. I used frozen shrimp that I thawed before cooking. Check out my recipe for Cilantro Shrimp Tacos for tips on thawing shrimp quickly and safely. 

For making the Shrimp Scampi will need two pounds of extra large shrimp deveined with the tails in tact. 

 If you plan to toss the shrimp into pasta you might want to choose shrimp that have been peeled and deveined to make eating it easier. 

Notes and Tips:

Butter and Oil: The shrimp is cooked in both oil and butter, giving this shrimp great taste and provides the base for the scampi sauce.  Add a tablespoon of each for each batch of shrimp.

Garlic Cloves: Garlic adds flavor and pairs well with shrimp.  Mince garlic finely or use a garlic press or grater for a finer texture.

Serve this garlicky, buttery Shrimp Scampi with a Caesar Salad and these Easy Skillet Green Beans. Add a loaf of this Easy Garlic Bread for the finishing touch!

Happy Cooking Y’all!

Susanne

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Shrimp Scampi

Big plump shrimp cooked in a garlic sauce made with butter and lemon juice and white wine come together to make the most delicious Shrimp Scampi!

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian American

Keyword Shrimp Recipes, Shrimp Scampi

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 185 kcal

Susanne Susanne

Ingredients

• 2- pound raw extra-large shrimp peeled deveined, tail on
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 5-6 garlic cloves minced
• ½ cup white wine
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flake (optional)
• 3 tablespoons parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat a 10–12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
2. Cook shrimp in three batches, cooking for about 2 minutes per side. Remove cooked shrimp, add another tablespoon of olive oil and butter for the second batch, repeat until all shrimp are cooked.
3. Reduce temperature to medium, add one tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
4. Add wine and lemon juice, cook for 2-3 minutes.

5. Return shrimp to the pan, add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly.

6. Remove from heat, garnish with lemon juice and parsley if desired.

Recipe Notes

Butter and Oil: The shrimp is cooked in both oil and butter, giving this shrimp great taste and provides the base for the scampi sauce.  Add a tablespoon of each for each batch of shrimp.

Types of Garlic:  Garlic is the one of the main ingredients in this recipe so I recommend using fresh garlic cloves. However, you can use a tablespoon jarred minced garlic or a teaspoon of garlic powder.

Replace the Wine: If you don’t want to use wine to make the sauce for the Shrimp Scampi you can swap it for a 1/2 cup chicken broth.

Nutritional information is estimated. Amounts will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes.

Nutrition Facts

Shrimp Scampi

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 185 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 158mg53%

Sodium 908mg39%

Potassium 159mg5%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 0.1g0%

Sugar 0.2g0%

Protein 16g32%

Vitamin A 525IU11%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 70mg7%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.