Experience the ultimate in quick, easy, and undeniably delicious dining with this Garlic Shrimp Scampi. Bursting with robust garlic flavor and a refreshing touch of lemon, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet meal in minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a special occasion, serve this versatile shrimp scampi with your favorite pasta or fluffy rice for a truly satisfying and hearty culinary experience that will impress every time.
Garlic Shrimp Scampi is a classic dish that exudes elegance and flavor, often associated with fine dining. Yet, despite its sophisticated reputation, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare right in your own kitchen! Many restaurants feature this dish precisely because it requires minimal effort and time to create. Thanks to the convenience of modern shrimp processing—think easy-peel or pre-peeled and deveined options—whipping up a restaurant-quality shrimp scampi is now entirely achievable even on the busiest weeknights. This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor with fresh ingredients and streamlined steps, ensuring a decadent meal without the fuss.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Shrimp Scampi
Creating an exquisite Garlic Shrimp Scampi relies on a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the dish’s signature bright and savory flavor profile.
- Shrimp: The star of the show. We’ll delve into selecting the best type below to ensure tender, perfectly cooked results.
- Butter: Essential for richness and flavor. Both salted or unsalted butter can be used, but adjust salt levels accordingly at the end.
- Garlic: The heart of “garlic scampi.” Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for that pungent, aromatic depth.
- Lemon Zest: Provides an intense burst of citrus aroma and flavor without adding too much acidity.
- Lemon Juice: Balances the richness of the butter and brightens the entire dish, cutting through the savory notes.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the luscious sauce. Opt for low or no-sodium added broth to maintain control over the dish’s seasoning.
- Green Onion: Adds a mild oniony bite and a vibrant splash of color.
- Fresh Parsley: A classic complement to seafood, offering freshness and visual appeal.
Choosing the Best Shrimp for Your Scampi
The quality of your shrimp can make or break your scampi. For the most tender and flavorful results, it’s critical to select the right kind of shrimp and prepare it properly.
Raw, Peeled, and Deveined are Key
Always seek out raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp or easy-peel shrimp. These are your top choices for this recipe for several reasons:
- Raw Shrimp: Pre-cooked shrimp will inevitably overcook in this recipe, becoming rubbery and losing their delicate texture. Raw shrimp allows you to control the cooking process from start to finish, ensuring they are perfectly tender and juicy.
- Peeled and Deveined: This preparation saves you valuable time and effort. Easy-peel shrimp have been slit down the back, making the shell removal effortless and the vein accessible for quick removal. Fully peeled and deveined shrimp are, of course, ready to use straight from the package, making your weeknight meal prep even faster.
Sourcing and Size Matters
When it comes to shrimp, quality truly makes a difference. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a coast, prioritize local, wild-caught shrimp. For instance, wild Gulf shrimp (if available in your region) are renowned for their superior taste and texture. If not, wild Argentinian shrimp are increasingly accessible and offer an excellent alternative to farmed varieties. Try to steer clear of farmed shrimp from regions like Vietnam or India, as their quality can vary significantly, and their farming practices may not always be sustainable.
Consider the size of your shrimp as well. Medium to large shrimp (around 21-30 count per pound) are ideal for scampi. They cook quickly and maintain a good bite without being overwhelmingly large or too small to showcase their flavor. If using frozen shrimp, remember to thaw them properly in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water just before cooking. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels before adding them to the pan; this helps them sear nicely and prevents the butter from splattering excessively.
Crafting Your Garlic Shrimp Scampi: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this flavorful Garlic Shrimp Scampi is a remarkably straightforward process. Follow these steps for a dish that comes together in under 20 minutes, delivering maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
For exact measurements and printable instructions, refer to the full recipe card below.
- Prepare the Skillet and Garlic: Begin by melting the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet. The skillet should be spacious enough to accommodate all the shrimp in a single layer. Once the butter is melted and begins to foam slightly, add your freshly minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat until it becomes fragrant and slightly softened, taking care not to burn it, as burnt garlic can turn bitter.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, arranging them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook the shrimp for approximately 1-2 minutes per side, depending on their size. Shrimp are cooked when they turn opaque and pink, forming a loose “C” shape. Overcooked shrimp will curl tightly into an “O” shape and become tough. Once cooked, promptly remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
- Build the Scampi Sauce: With the shrimp removed, take the skillet off the heat briefly. This prevents the sauce ingredients from cooking too quickly. Add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth to the skillet. Return the pan to the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to incorporate all the delicious pan drippings. Continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- Finish and Serve: Once the sauce has simmered, turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped green onion and fresh parsley. Pour this fragrant, lemony garlic sauce directly over the cooked shrimp. Serve immediately, perhaps with extra lemon wedges for a final squeeze of freshness. Enjoy your homemade, restaurant-quality Garlic Shrimp Scampi!
Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for the Best Shrimp Scampi
Elevate your Garlic Shrimp Scampi from good to extraordinary with these insightful tips from Chef Jenn:
- A Touch of Heat: For those who appreciate a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can introduce a delightful warmth to this easy shrimp scampi recipe. Adjust the quantity to your preference, starting with a small amount and adding more if desired.
- Fresh Herbs are Crucial: While technically optional, the fresh green onion and parsley contribute significantly to both the flavor and visual appeal of the dish. Their vibrant freshness brightens the rich sauce and adds a layer of complexity that dried herbs simply cannot replicate. Don’t skip them if you want the full experience!
- Taste and Adjust Lemoniness: Not all lemons are created equal in terms of tartness and flavor. Always taste the sauce before serving and don’t hesitate to adjust the lemon juice to suit your palate. A little extra squeeze can sometimes make all the difference, balancing the richness of the butter perfectly.
- Strategic Seasoning: Be mindful of salt and pepper. Shrimp can sometimes be naturally salty, and if you’re using salted butter or chicken broth, you might already have a good base. It’s best to add salt at the very end, after tasting, to avoid over-seasoning. Freshly ground black pepper, however, can be added more freely throughout the cooking process for a lovely subtle spice.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the shrimp, ensure they are in a single layer without overlapping. Overcrowding cools down the pan rapidly, steaming the shrimp instead of searing them, which can lead to a less desirable texture. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Serve Immediately: Shrimp scampi is best enjoyed hot and fresh. The delicate texture of the shrimp and the vibrant flavors of the sauce are at their peak right after cooking.
Recommended Dishes to Explore
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Make it a Complete Meal: Serving Suggestions
Garlic Shrimp Scampi is wonderfully versatile, easily adaptable to fit various dietary preferences and meal structures. Here are some ideas to turn it into a truly unforgettable dining experience:
- Classic Pairing: Pasta or Rice: For a hearty and traditional meal, serve your shrimp scampi over a bed of linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta. The delicate noodles are perfect for soaking up every drop of that garlicky, lemony sauce. If you prefer rice, jasmine or basmati rice makes an excellent accompaniment, offering a lighter alternative.
- Low-Carb Options: If you’re watching your carbohydrate intake, this dish is still incredibly satisfying on its own. Alternatively, serve it over zucchini noodles (zoodles), cauliflower rice, or even spiralized cucumber for a fresh, low-carb twist.
- Vibrant Green Vegetables: Complement the rich scampi with a bright, simple green vegetable. Roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, sautéed spinach, or tender Brussels sprouts are all excellent choices. The key is to keep the preparation simple, allowing the scampi to remain the star of the plate. A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette also provides a refreshing contrast.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a warm, crusty baguette or artisan bread. It’s perfect for dipping into the flavorful sauce and ensuring no drop goes to waste!
- Wine Pairing: A light, crisp white wine such as a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or an unoaked Chardonnay would beautifully complement the seafood and citrus notes of the scampi.
- A Sweet Ending: For dessert, a plate of these fun Fruity Pebbles Bars offers a playful and colorful finish to your meal.
Storage and Reheating Best Practices
While Garlic Shrimp Scampi is best enjoyed fresh, you might find yourself with delicious leftovers. Here’s how to store and reheat them properly:
- Refrigeration: This Garlic Shrimp Scampi recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one to two days. As with all seafood, it’s best consumed within a short timeframe to maintain quality and safety.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooked shrimp scampi, though be aware that the texture of shrimp can change slightly after freezing and reheating, sometimes becoming a bit firmer. Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 1-2 months.
- Reheating: The key to reheating shrimp scampi without overcooking the shrimp is gentle heat. Avoid high heat or prolonged microwave times, which can turn the shrimp rubbery. For best results, gently warm the scampi in a skillet over low to medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce appears too thick. Stir occasionally until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp undergo a distinct color change as they cook: they will transform from a translucent grey to an opaque pink. Additionally, they will begin to curl. You want them to form a loose “C” shape; if they curl tightly into an “O” shape, they are likely overcooked and will be tough and rubbery. Remember that peeled shrimp generally cook faster than unpeeled shrimp.
While this recipe is designed to have a light, flavorful sauce, if you prefer a thicker consistency, you have a couple of options. One quick method is to create a cornstarch slurry by dissolving ½ teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of cold chicken broth. Whisk this mixture into the simmering sauce and allow it to boil gently for a minute or two until it thickens to your desired consistency. Alternatively, for a richer, velvety sauce, you can whisk in a knob of cold butter (known as monter au beurre) to the warm sauce just before serving. This emulsifies into the sauce, adding both thickness and gloss. However, many find this recipe’s sauce to be perfect as is, without the need for additional thickening agents.
No, this is not the Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe. While delicious, their version often includes additional vegetables like asparagus and red bell pepper in the sauce, and the flavor profile can differ. This recipe presents a more traditional Italian-American take on shrimp scampi, focusing on the classic garlic-butter-lemon combination.
Originally, “scampi” refers to a type of small, langoustine-like crustacean, also known as Dublin Bay Prawns. In Italy, these are often served sautéed in garlic and olive oil. In North America, the term “shrimp scampi” evolved to describe shrimp prepared in the style of scampi – typically with garlic, butter, olive oil, and white wine or lemon juice, regardless of the specific type of crustacean. So, it’s more about the cooking style than the ingredient itself.
Absolutely! Many traditional shrimp scampi recipes incorporate white wine for an added layer of flavor. A dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, works wonderfully. You can substitute all or part of the chicken broth with white wine for a more complex and aromatic sauce.
Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp green onion sliced thinly
- salt as needed
Instructions
- Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Add the butter to a heavy-bottomed skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter starts to foam, add the garlic and stir it around for a minute until the garlic cooks.
- Add the shrimp all at once, and keep them in one layer in the pan. Turn the shrimp over after a minute or two (depending on the size) and cook through.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and remove the pan from the heat. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir well to combine. Add the chopped parsley and green onion and heat through.
- Pour sauce over the shrimp and garnish with a few lemon wedges. Dig in!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to this easy shrimp scampi recipe to add a bit of heat
- The green onion and parsley are optional but it adds so much flavor and color
- Lemons don’t all have the same amount of flavor! Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the lemoniness to suit you
- Don’t forget the salt and pepper! But add it at the end because sometimes shrimp is salty and salted butter will add all the salt you (probably) need.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
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