Shrimp Scampi
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Buttery garlicky shrimp scampi is a quick and easy recipe that tastes amazing and will please the whole family!
Shrimp Scampi is a favorite weeknight meal because it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish to get on the table. And who doesn’t like anything laden with garlic and butter! Serve this with angel hair pasta, roasted green beans, and some crusty beer bread – and don’t forget a slice of orange cake for dessert!
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Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi
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Shrimp Scampi Ingredients
- Shrimp – Make sure your shrimp is peeled and deveined. It is a matter of preference whether you leave the tails on or remove them. We recommend raw shrimp, but if you use pre-cooked, be sure to only simmer long enough to heat through.
- Butter – I prefer a good stick of European salted butter. European butter has less water content so you will get a more rich flavor.
- Olive oil – Look for a full bodied olive oil to add as much flavor as possible to the dish
- Garlic – I really really implore you to use freshly minced garlic for this recipe as this is the number one flavor we’re going for. In some dishes it’s fine to shortcut with pre-minced garlic, but not this one.
- Wine – A good dry white wine is perfect in this shrimp scampi recipe – make sure to pour a glass for yourself too.
- Lemon juice – As with the garlic, it is important to use fresh lemon juice in this recipe.
- Fresh pepper and salt – Make sure to finish the dish off with a grind of fresh pepper and a sprinkle of salt.
- Optional: chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese
How Do You Make Shrimp Scampi
⭐ First, in a large skillet, sauté garlic in butter and olive oil until fragrant and just starting to brown/deepen in color.
⭐ Next, add lemon juice and white wine, simmer for about a minute.
⭐ Then, add shrimp and Add shrimp and sauté until they just turn pink, 2 – 4 minutes depending upon their size.
⭐ Finally, stir in parsley and red pepper flakes, if you’re using them, dust with fresh ground pepper and serve over angel hair pasta or with a large piece of crusty bread.
What is Scampi Sauce Made Of?
Our shrimp scampi sauce is made of butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and wine, then finished with fresh parsley. Many scampi sauces also include Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
We prefer to offer the Parmesan and pepper flakes as an optional condiment on the table.
How to Thicken Shrimp Scampi Sauce
If you prefer a thicker sauce for your shrimp, simply dissolve one to two tablespoons of cornstarch into an equal amount of cold water. Remove your cooked shrimp from the pan with a slotted spoon (we don’t want to overcook our shrimp!), then stir in the corn starch slurry.
Bring the sauce to a simmer until it thickens, then pour over shrimp.
Preparation and Storage Questions
Can Shrimp Scampi Be Made Ahead of Time?
We do not recommend making this ahead of time, as shrimp is easy to overcook and becomes rubbery in texture if cooked too long. This dish comes together very quickly, so there’s not really a good reason to make it ahead of time.
How Do I Store Leftover Shrimp Scampi?
Store your leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days.
Can Shrimp Scampi Be Frozen?
It is not recommended to freeze shrimp scampi as freezing and reheating can diminish the flavor, texture and quality of the dish. This recipe is best when prepared and enjoyed at the same time.
How to Reheat Shrimp Scampi
My preferred method to reheat shrimp scampi is to remove the shrimp from the sauce, bring the sauce to a simmer on the stovetop or in the microwave, then toss the shrimp in the hot sauce until warmed.
This will prevent overcooking the already once-cooked shrimp.
Dietary FAQ’s
Is Shrimp Scampi Gluten Free?
Shrimp Scampi is gluten free when following our recipe as provided. We suggest serving it over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice.
Is Shrimp Scampi Keto?
The keto (or ketogenic diet) focuses on high fat, low carbohydrate foods. Shrimp scampi fits the bill, although you may want to skip the white wine.
Is Shrimp Scampi Healthy?
This will depend on what diet you follow. Shrimp and butter are both high in cholesterol, while butter and oil are both high in fat. If these are things you avoid in your diet, then it would be considered unhealthy.
Garlic, however, is full nutrients including manganese, vitamin B6: 17% of the RDA, and vitamin C and is universally considered a healthy ingredient.
How Can You Tell When Shrimp is Cooked
When you’re cooking raw shrimp, an easy way to know it’s done is when the top touches the tail! It’s super important not to overcook shrimp because it turns from tasty to rubber super quick. So watch for that curl!
Also, cooked shrimp is totally pink and opaque – you should see no more grey bits.
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi
More Amazing Shrimp Recipes
- Red Curry Shrimp
- Crispy Coconut Shrimp
- Easy Shrimp and Grits
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Old Bay Shrimp Marinade
Awesome Seafood Recipes to Try
Suggested Tools
- Garlic press – Need fresh minced or sliced garlic, but don’t want to peel or chop your garlic? This garlic press is the bessssssst. We’ve had ours for as long as I can remember (maybe a wedding present?), and I use it several times a week!
- 15″ Cast iron pan – This. Pan. Is. Huge. Literally massive. I have two and they’re sooooooo amazing. I love using these on my grill to make a beautifully seared steak or some yummy Old Bay shrimp. And in my oven or on the stovetop when the weather’s no good for grilling!
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How to Make Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 stick salted butter ½ cup
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- Fresh pepper
- Optional: chopped parsley red pepper flakes, ½ pound prepared angel hair pasta
Instructions
- In a large skillet, saute garlic in butter and olive oil until fragrant and just starting to brown/deepen in color.
- Add lemon juice and white wine, simmer for about a minute.
- Add shrimp and sauté until they just turn pink, 2 - 4 minutes depending upon their size.
- Stir in parsley and red pepper flakes, if you’re using them, dust with fresh ground pepper and serve over angel hair pasta or with a large piece of crusty bread.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Shrimp Scampi
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It doesn’t get much easier than this! And the flavor is outstanding!
Thanks for the tip about the top of the shrimp touching the tail when it is done cooking. I’ve never heard that before! My garlic loving family thought this was delicious, and I love that it’s easy. 🙂
This is my husbands favorite dish! He keeps asking me to make it. We’ve found keeper with this one.
I loved how tasty this is! And I can’t wait to make it again!
So easy to make and a huge favorite.
A very good scampi recipe, April. A goodly amount of butter and garlic! But parsley is not optional, for me. And neither is crusty bread!