Shrimp scampi with garlic butter is incredibly quick and simple! In less than 10 minutes, you can have a garlicky, buttery scampi sauce with a hint of white wine & lemon.
You can eat Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi for supper with your preferred pasta or as an appetizer or light meal.
Serve it over zucchini noodles or with steamed cauliflower to keep it low carb! In either case, it tastes great and is even superior to Scampi at an Italian restaurant!
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe
After posting TWO scampi recipes on this site over the years—the reader-favorite Crispy Baked Shrimp Scampi and Browned Butter Shrimp Scampi—I decided to provide you guys an even simpler recipe that can be made in under 10 minutes.
Since we add white wine to our recipe to add flavor, I started creating our family’s favorite garlic butter shrimp dish when we realized it was quickly turning into scampi. I had to share it as a result.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi(Pinterest)Best ways to make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- If at all feasible, have all of your ingredients prepared and close to where you will be cooking on your kitchen counter. This dish cooks QUICKLY. For instance, you don’t want to be digging around in your refrigerator for your wine while the shrimp is boiling. Shrimp that has been overcooked is rubbery, harsh, and unpleasant to eat.
- Butter and oil are used to cook the shrimp to prevent scorching of the butter. If you prefer, you can use only butter, but keep in mind that it will start to brown as the shrimp boil. (There is nothing wrong with some brown butter.) The flavor of a butter/oil combo in this, though, is what I prefer.
- In this recipe, jumbo or extra-large shrimp (or prawns) are my favorite! They are ideal for shrimp scampi since they are fat and juicy. Please only use wild-caught shrimp when cooking. Better for you than farm-raised seafood in terms of flavor, color, and overall health.
- Use white wine of high grade. I make this recipe while drinking Sav Blanc. You might also use Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi without wine
If you choose, you can completely remove the wine or replace it with chicken broth. Although fish broth tastes far better than chicken broth if you happen to have some homemade fish broth on hand, by all means, use it!
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi (Pinterest)INGREDIENTS for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4-5 large garlic cloves, minced (or 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic)
- 1 1/4 pounds (600 grams) large shrimp prawns, shelled with tails on or off
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a big skillet or pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds – 1 minute). After that, add the shrimp, season to taste with salt and pepper, and sauté for a few seconds on one side (until it starts to turn pink), then flip.
- Add red pepper flakes and wine (or broth) to the mixture (if using). Don’t overcook your shrimp; bring to a simmer for just a few minutes, or until the wine has reduced by approximately half and the shrimp are cooked through.
- Add the remaining butter, lemon juice, and parsley, then immediately turn the heat off.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, garlic bread, rice, or pasta (cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini noodles).
NUTRITION
Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 458mg | Sodium: 1427mg | Potassium: 186mg | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 17.5mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 4mg