What is garlic butter shrimp scampi?

Garlic butter shrimp scampi is a quick Italian-American dish featuring large shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with white wine, lemon, and fresh parsley. It's typically served over pasta like linguine or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce. The shrimp cook fast in a single skillet, resulting in tender, juicy seafood coated in a flavorful, buttery garlic mixture. This recipe serves 4 and takes about 20 minutes total. Key flavors come from minced garlic, red pepper flakes for heat, and a splash of lemon juice for brightness. It's gluten-free if you skip pasta and use tamari instead of pasta water. Perfect for weeknight dinners or date nights, it highlights fresh shrimp without overpowering them.

How do you make garlic butter shrimp scampi?

Start by patting 1 lb of peeled, deveined shrimp dry and seasoning with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes; sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shrimp in a single layer, cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp, deglaze with ½ cup dry white wine, scraping bits, then stir in ¼ cup pasta water or broth, juice of 1 lemon, and parsley. Return shrimp to simmer 1 minute. Toss with cooked linguine if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges. Total time: 20 minutes. Tip: Use large shrimp (16/20 count) for best texture.

What ingredients are in garlic butter shrimp scampi?

Core ingredients for garlic butter shrimp scampi include 1 lb large shrimp (peeled, deveined), 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp olive oil, 5 garlic cloves (minced), ½ cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc), juice and zest of 1 lemon, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped), salt, and pepper. Optional: 8 oz linguine and Parmesan for serving. This makes 4 servings. Substitutions: chicken broth for wine, gluten-free pasta, or tail-on shrimp for presentation. Fresh garlic and parsley elevate flavor—avoid pre-minced. Butter provides richness; don't skip it. Total calories per serving: about 350 without pasta. Shop for wild-caught shrimp for superior taste.

Can you use frozen shrimp for garlic butter shrimp scampi?

Yes, frozen shrimp work great for garlic butter shrimp scampi and are often fresher than "fresh" store-bought. Thaw 1 lb shrimp overnight in the fridge or under cold running water for 10-15 minutes. Pat very dry with paper towels to avoid watery sauce—excess moisture steams instead of searing. Proceed with recipe: sauté in garlic butter as usual. Frozen shrimp cook in the same 2 minutes per side. For best results, buy peeled, deveined 16/20 count shrimp. This saves time and money. Pro tip: Spread thawed shrimp on a plate in fridge to air-dry 30 minutes before cooking. Recipe still takes 20 minutes total, yielding restaurant-quality results at home.

How do you store leftover garlic butter shrimp scampi?

Store leftover garlic butter shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days—shrimp toughens after that. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of butter or broth to revive sauce, about 2-3 minutes; avoid microwave to prevent rubbery texture. Freezing isn't ideal as sauce separates, but if needed, portion into freezer bags for up to 1 month; thaw overnight and reheat slowly. Don't refreeze cooked shrimp. Serves 4 originally, so leftovers make 1-2 lunches. Pair with fresh pasta or zucchini noodles on reheat. Always check shrimp for off smells before eating. For food safety, cool completely before storing.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe in 20 Minutes

Name: Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: – 2 tablespoons olive oil; – 4 tablespoons butter; – 4 to 5 large cloves garlic, minced, or 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic; – 1.25 pounds large shrimp or prawns, shelled with tails on or off; – A pinch of salt, to taste; – A pinch of cracked pepper, to taste; – 0.25 cup dry white wine or broth; – 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed, or to taste, optional; – 2 tablespoons lemon juice; – 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Description

🦐🧄 Luxurious garlic butter shrimp scampi in zesty wine-lemon sauce – 29g high-protein, low-carb delight with restaurant-quality flavors in minutes.
🍋 Lightning-fast 10-minute stovetop classic; elegant over pasta or zoodles for guilt-free indulgence anytime.

Ingredients

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 4 tablespoons butter

– 4 to 5 large cloves garlic, minced, or 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic

– 1.25 pounds large shrimp or prawns, shelled with tails on or off

– A pinch of salt, to taste

– A pinch of cracked pepper, to taste

– 0.25 cup dry white wine or broth

– 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed, or to taste, optional

– 2 tablespoons lemon juice

– 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Notes

⚡ Prep all ingredients mise en place – cooks super fast!
🦐 Use jumbo wild-caught shrimp for superior taste and texture.
🍷 Sauvignon Blanc or broth works; don’t skip for bright flavor.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Seafood
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 303 kcal
Sugar: 0.4g
Sodium: 276mg
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0.3g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 258mg

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp scampi, shrimp scampi recipe, easy garlic shrimp, butter shrimp scampi