Pin It A quick and vibrant shrimp dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a garlicky, lemon-butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining.
This 15-minute garlic shrimp scampi quickly became a favorite in my household for both weeknights and special occasions.
Ingredients
- Seafood: 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Aromatics: 4 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sauce: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white wine (or chicken broth); Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons); Zest of 1 lemon
- Herbs: 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- To Serve: Cooked pasta, crusty bread, or steamed rice (optional); Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Step 2:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat.
- Step 3:
- Add the garlic (and red pepper flakes, if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4:
- Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, just until pink and opaque.
- Step 5:
- Pour in the wine (or broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any bits from the pan. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 6:
- Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, lemon zest, and parsley. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly.
- Step 7:
- Remove from heat and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Pin It My family always gathers around the table excited to dig into this flavorful shrimp scampi, making every meal special.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of hot sauce or more red pepper flakes. Substitute fresh basil or chives for parsley if desired.
Required Tools
Large skillet, wooden spoon or spatula, measuring spoons and cups, knife and cutting board.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 240 calories, 13 g total fat, 4 g carbohydrates, 24 g protein.
Pin It This shrimp scampi is both quick and elegant, perfect for impressing guests or a simple family dinner.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I prevent shrimp from overcooking?
Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat until just pink and opaque, usually 1–2 minutes per side, to keep them tender.
- → Can I substitute white wine in the sauce?
Yes, dry chicken broth or vegetable broth can replace white wine for a similar depth of flavor.
- → Is it necessary to peel and devein shrimp before cooking?
Peeling and deveining ensures a cleaner taste and better texture, making the dish more enjoyable.
- → What sides pair well with garlic shrimp scampi?
It complements pasta, steamed rice, or crusty bread, which help soak up the flavorful sauce.
- → Can I add heat to the dish?
Yes, including crushed red pepper flakes during sautéing provides a subtle spicy kick without overwhelming flavors.