Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

A quick, simple garlic butter shrimp scampi you can make in about 20 minutes.

introduction

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe is bright, simple, and full of garlic and lemon. It cooks fast and works well for a weeknight meal or a small dinner with friends. If you like garlic butter flavors, try our garlic butter roasted carrots recipe for a simple side.

why make this recipe

• It cooks very fast.
• It uses few ingredients you likely already have.
• The sauce is buttery, garlicky, and bright with lemon.
• You can serve it with bread, pasta, or rice.

how to make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

1. Prep and marinate the shrimp so they pick up garlic and salt.
2. Cook shrimp briefly in hot oil so they turn opaque and stay tender.
3. Remove shrimp, make the garlic lemon wine sauce in the same pan.
4. Return shrimp to the pan, finish with butter and parsley, and serve warm.

Ingredients :

1 pound wild caught large shrimp with shells, 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (, divided), 4 cloves garlic (, pressed or minced), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup white wine or chicken stock, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (, or 1/2 lemon), 1 tablespoon minced parsley

Directions :

Prep the shrimp: Thaw the shrimp in cool water and remove the shells then devein the shrimp. Discard the shells, rinse and drain the shrimp then transfer to a small bowl., Marinate the shrimp: Drizzle the shrimp 2 tablespoons olive oil, half of the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the red pepper flakes. Toss to coat and set let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to build., Cook the shrimp: In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and garlic mixture to the skillet, spacing evenly in the pan. Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes then flip the shrimps over when they begin to become opaque. Cook for 1 more minute or so, watching so the shrimp turn golden but don’t brown too much and the garlic doesn’t burn. Transfer the shrimp to a small bowl or plate. If you have browned bits of garlic, move the skillet from the heat and remove the browned garlic as it will be bitter., Make the sauce: Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in the skillet over medium heat and add the remaining garlic. Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant then stir in the white wine and lemon juice. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and reduces by half, stirring occasionally., Finish the dish: Add the shrimp with any juices back to the pan and stir in the last tablespoon of butter and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste. Sprinkle with the minced parsley, stir, and cook for 1 more minute. Serve warm with sourdough bread for dipping, or over pasta or rice.

how to serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Serve warm. Spoon the sauce over shrimp and place on pasta, rice, or a slice of toasted sourdough. Garnish with extra parsley and a lemon wedge. Serve with bread for dipping in the garlic butter sauce.

how to store Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

• Cool to room temperature no more than 2 hours after cooking.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water, stock, or wine to loosen the sauce if it thickens.
• Do not freeze cooked shrimp; the texture will suffer.

tips to make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

• Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for best texture.
• Do not overcook shrimp — they cook fast and turn rubbery if left too long.
• Keep garlic from burning by watching the heat and removing any dark bits.
• Taste and adjust salt and lemon at the end.
• Use good extra virgin olive oil and real butter for best flavor.

variation (if any)

• Add a handful of cherry tomatoes or spinach at the end for color and veg.
• Use lemon zest for more lemon flavor.
• Swap white wine for low-sodium chicken stock for no alcohol.
• Add capers for a briny bite.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp straight from the freezer?
A: Thaw the shrimp in cool water first. Cooked shrimp from frozen will not cook evenly.

Q: Can I skip the wine?
A: Yes. Use chicken stock instead. The sauce will still taste good.

Q: How long do I marinate the shrimp?
A: About 20 minutes so the garlic and salt soak in. Do not marinate too long or the texture can change.

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: You can cook the shrimp and sauce, then store separately in the fridge. Reheat gently and combine just before serving.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

• Author: arianarecipes
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Pescatarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

A quick and simple garlic butter shrimp scampi that cooks in about 20 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight meal or dinner with friends.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound wild-caught large shrimp, shells removed
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup white wine or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep the shrimp: Thaw the shrimp in cool water, remove the shells, and devein. Discard the shells, rinse, and drain the shrimp, then transfer to a small bowl.
2. Marinate the shrimp: Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, half of the garlic, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat and let sit for 20 minutes.
3. Cook the shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and garlic mixture, spacing evenly. Cook for 1 to 1.5 minutes, flip when opaque, and cook for 1 more minute. Remove shrimp from skillet.
4. Make the sauce: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet over medium heat, add remaining garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the white wine and lemon juice, cooking for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
5. Finish the dish: Return shrimp to the pan, stir in the last tablespoon of butter, parsley, and salt to taste. Cook for 1 more minute and serve warm.

---

Notes

Serve with sourdough bread, or over pasta or rice. Adjust seasoning before serving.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 200mg