For a quick and delicious dinner idea on busy weeknights, try shrimp scampi. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work, this mouthwatering skillet dish can be on the table in under 20 minutes.
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Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out in the kitchen, this simple recipe is sure to impress with its simplicity and bold flavors. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a restaurant-worthy dish right in your own kitchen.
This classic Italian-American dish effortlessly combines shrimp with garlic, butter, and white wine for an irresistible flavor. If you like shrimp and pasta, you can serve it over spaghetti or linguini noodles. I also add a touch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, taking the dish up a notch.
Reasons to Love
- Bursting with flavor. Combining fresh shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, white wine, and butter creates an irresistible taste. Each bite perfectly blends tangy, savory, and buttery goodness.
- Quick and easy to make. With just a few simple steps, you can quickly have a mouthwatering meal on your plate. It's a great recipe for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Versatility at its best. This dish can be enjoyed in various ways - as an appetizer, served over pasta or rice as a main course, or even as a topping for crusty bread. You can also experiment with different ingredients to change it up.
Ingredients
Shrimp scampi is a go-to option for many seafood lovers. If you're looking to whip up a quick and easy meal for two, this dish is a great option.
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this dish:
- large shrimp
- white wine
- unsalted butter
- minced garlic
- fresh parsley
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- lemon
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Start by ensuring that the shrimp are cleaned, peeled, and deveined. Once prepared, pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure they cook evenly and develop a delicious golden brown crust.
Season shrimp with salt and black pepper.
In a heated skillet, shallow fry seasoned shrimp in olive oil.
Flip to the other side after a minute or two. Set aside.
In the same skillet, add the wine and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes. Add garlic. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally. Add cold butter once white wine-lemon juice has been reduced to half. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Add fresh parsley, shrimp, and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle salt and black pepper, as desired. Turn shrimp after 30 seconds. Turn off heat once shrimp has been heated through.
Hint: Shrimp cook quickly, usually in just a few minutes. Ensure your pan is hot before adding the shrimp, and cook them briefly until they turn pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery, so pay close attention to their color and texture.
Variations
This easy and delicious shrimp scampi recipe is very versatile. You can serve it in different ways and experiment with other ingredients. Here are a few suggestions you can try:
- Hearty - toss in fresh cherry tomatoes or sautéed spinach for added texture and depth.
- Pasta - Mix into pasta such as linguine or fettuccine to complement the tender shrimp and garlic butter sauce.
- Seafood - incorporate seafood options like scallops or crab meat for a combination of flavors and textures.
If you love scampi sauce, check out my lemon butter sauce for salmon. It works well with other fish fillets, too. You can even double the sauce.
Tips
Top tip: Remove the shrimp from the pan as soon as they are cooked to prevent overcooking. Shrimp continue to cook slightly even after being removed from heat, so taking them off just as they turn pink and opaque ensures they stay tender.
- Adjust the seasoning of the sauce by tasting and adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed. The sauce should complement the natural sweetness of the shrimp without overpowering it.
- Shrimp scampi is best enjoyed right after cooking. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The sooner you serve it, the better the texture and flavor of the shrimp.
Serving suggestions
I enjoy this dish served with toast, but crispy air fryer garlic bread is another great option. Another classic choice is to serve shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta.
For a healthier option, try serving it with a side of roasted vegetables. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness and adds a delightful caramelized flavor to veggies like asparagus, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes.
Storage
Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store it, transfer the shrimp scampi into an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to let it cool down to room temperature before storing it in the fridge. When reheating, gently heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it's warmed through.
If you want to store shrimp scampi for a longer period, you can freeze it. Place the cooled shrimp scampi in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it using your preferred method.
FAQs
I like to use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which is crisp and refreshingly acidic. But you can also use a light-bodied wine like Pinot Grigio or a full-bodied Chardonnay.
You can marinate the shrimp to infuse it with extra flavor. Before cooking, let it marinate in mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and your favorite herbs like parsley or basil.
Related Recipes
Love seafood? Check out some of these other delicious shrimp recipes for two:
- Grilled shrimp skewers are easy to make in an air fryer.
- Shrimp and corn bisque is a comforting soup.
- Fried shrimp panko can be served as a snack or appetizer.
- Shrimp and broccoli stir fry is sure to become a favorite.
- Shrimp macaroni salad is perfect for your lunch box.
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Recipe
Shrimp Scampi Skillet
Ingredients
- ½ pound large shrimp shelled and deveined with tails intact
- ⅓ cup white wine
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter cold, more or less
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley divided
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 lemon for zest and juice
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Season shrimp with salt and black pepper.
- In a heated skillet, shallow fry seasoned shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Do not overcook. Set aside.
- Remove olive oil.
- In the same skillet, pour white wine and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes. Add garlic. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add cold butter once white wine-lemon juice has been reduced to half. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add fresh parsley, shrimp, and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle salt and black pepper, as desired. Turn shrimp after 30 seconds. Turn off heat once shrimp has been heated through.
- Transfer to a plate. Sprinkle some lemon zest and fresh parsley. Serve with toast.
Jae
So delicious and the shrimp was perfectly cooked! I added some tomatoes and served it with toasted garlic bread!
Rez
What would you suggest using instead of white wine?
Lisa MarcAurele
You can try using lemon juice, but you don't want to use too much. A tablespoon or so should be enough to add flavor without being too much.
Nancy N Ingerick
You mention lemon juice but don't say how much. Also, do you zest the lemon and use the zest in the sauce?
Lisa MarcAurele
I use one medium lemon and take both the juice and zest. If you don't have fresh, it's about 2 tablespoons of juice. The zest is optional.
Melanie
Just curious: Is that gluten free garlic bread? Thanks! If so, did you make it yourself?
Lisa MarcAurele
I do like to use a gluten-free bread in the recipe but that isn't what I used in the photo. Any bread should work for the recipe.