Shrimp Scampi
68 Comments
Updated Sep 12, 2024
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It’s hard to beat a classic shrimp scampi. Jumbo shrimp are sautéed in the most fragrant garlic butter sauce, and then served in numerous ways (see my tips below) for a simple yet impressive dinner!
My love for shrimp runs deep. It cooks remarkably fast, it’s budget-friendly, and it’s protein-packed. That makes it a weeknight dinner winner. I have many creative and flavorful shrimp recipes on this website, but let’s be honest, it’s hard to beat a classic shrimp scampi!
Shrimp scampi is prepped, cooked, and done in about 10 minutes. And I love that it fills your kitchen with a fresh, lemony aroma and looks stunning served on a platter (aka it’s a perfect dinner party recipe!). So the next time you want to get cooking with shrimp, keep this easy shrimp scampi recipe in your back pocket.
Shrimp Scampi Ingredients
Think of this as my garlic butter shrimp — but slightly elevated! The sauce has just a few extra ingredients that add a deep, delicious flavor.
- Shrimp: Grab jumbo shrimp that are already peeled and deveined. And if you are using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them overnight in the fridge.
- Shrimp Scampi Sauce: This simple sauce is what makes this recipe shine! All you need is butter, olive oil, dry white wine, fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Garnishes: Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley at the end! They tie all the flavors together and present the dish beautifully.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Shrimp Scampi
Make the sauce. Melt the butter and oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds, then add the wine, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let the liquid reduce by half.
Sauté the shrimp. Add the shrimp and sauté for about 3 minutes, until just cooked through. Keep your eye on the time as shrimp can easily overcook and become rubbery!
Garnish. Don’t forget the final touches! Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top and toss everything with the parsley.
How to Serve Shrimp Scampi
- Serve with a side dish. I love to serve shrimp scampi with black lentils, mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, or this creamy broccoli parmesan risotto. Then a side of greens such as roasted asparagus or garlic-sauteed spinach.
- Toss with noodles. One of my go-to meals during the spring and summer is shrimp scampi tossed with fresh zucchini noodles!
- Make a salad or bowl. Whenever you need a hearty protein to add to your bowls or salads, this shrimp scampi will always hit the spot.
Storage Tips
- Store for the week: I love to meal prep shrimp as it will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just give it a quick reheat in the microwave to make delicious meals throughout the week (as I do in my Spring meal prep!).
- Freeze for later: If you’re saving this for another month in the future, shrimp scampi will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge the night before.
More Shrimp Recipes
There’s so much to love about shrimp. It’s quick and easy to cook, adapts to a variety of flavors, and is a nutritional powerhouse! So keep a frozen bag on hand to make all of these shrimp recipes.
- Shrimp Salad – The essential summer salad.
- Honey Garlic Shrimp – A sweet and savory combo.
- Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers – A grilling must!
- Shrimp Fajitas – A Mexican favorite.
- Shrimp Tacos – With the best cilantro lime coleslaw.
I can’t wait for you to make this shrimp scampi recipe! Once you do, let me know your thoughts on it in the comment box below. Your review helps other readers!
Classic Shrimp Scampi
Description
Video
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ pounds large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Make the sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add the wine, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, then reduce by half (about 2 to 3 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Saute the shrimp. Add the shrimp to the skillet and saute for about 3 minutes, until just cooked through.
- Garnish. Squeeze the lemon juice on top and toss with the parsley.
Lisa’s Tips
- Alcohol-free version: If you’re alcohol-free, just swap the white wine with chicken broth.
- Use other herbs: Feel free to swap the parsley with other tender herbs like cilantro, tarragon, dill, or chives. Each will impart a slightly different flavor, making this a shrimp scampi recipe that you’ll never tire of.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally published March 2023, but updated to include new information and a video for your benefit!
I found my new favorite dinner!!! This was SOOO GOOD!!! My husband developed a shrimp allergy, so I haven’t cooked shrimp in a long time. He is traveling this week, so I treated myself! And wow! High protein spaghetti and sauteed green beans rounded out a delicious meal Thank you for so many yummy dishes which are now favorites, but this was the best one yet!!
I’m so glad you love this shrimp scampi recipe, Cheri!
this was delicious. I made more shrimp so my partner could take leftovers tomorrow to work
Had corn on a cob , rice, (delicious with that shrimp sauce) and a coleslaw salad. Yummy , next time I’ll have the sautéed spinach.
What a delicious meal! I’m glad you both enjoyed this shrimp scampi, Lise.
This a winner for shrimp. Had it for a dinner party and everyone raved. The shrimp were so plump and juicy. I served it over rice.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kathleen!
Delicious! Easy! Aromatic! Quick! One Pan- ish! AND introduced me to the world of Zoodling!!! What a wonderful concept that I was terrified of, for some reason…. Thanks again Lisa!
Hi Penelope – I’m so glad you love this shrimp scampi!
Lisa, I made your recipe for shrimp scampi. DELICIOUS! I am not too fancy in the kitchen, but this was so good. I am going to invite someone for dinner next time I make it. 🙂
Hi Helen – Wonderful! I’m glad this shrimp scampi was a hit.
Sooo Good!
Hi Stacey – I’m so glad you love this shrimp scampi dish!
Delicious and easy recipe. I pair it with lupini bean spaghetti. Thank you Lisa!
Sound like a wonderful combo!
Good recipe. Just take your time and follow the directions. My wife said it was gourmet.
Hi Jim – Happy to hear both you and your wife enjoyed this shrimp scampi!
Good. I liked the cauliflower mash with it. Made a typically unhealthy meal healthy.
It really is delicious when the sauce soaks into the cauli mash. Glad you enjoyed it!
This is SO GOOD! If you are debating making this, do it! I think I could eat it for supper every night. Thank you, Lisa!
Hi Arden – Happy to hear you love this shrimp scampi recipe!
@downshiftology I have made this recipe for shrimp scampi several times and it is one of my husband’s favorite recipes. And I love it too! After seeing the video, my mouth is drooling for the mashed cauliflower. I’m going to try that very soon. Thank you so much for all your healthy recipes @downshiftology and sharing your travel experiences as well. And, by the way, your new kitchen is so beautiful and bright.
Hi Ruth – Can’t ever go wrong with a shrimp scampi recipe like this!
This will go into family rotation for sure, so good and easy to make!!! Husband loved this!!!
Hi Debra – Happy to hear you love this shrimp scampi!
I’ve made this recipe many times and love it with pasta noodles, but I love the idea of using Zoodles instead for a low carb alternative. Thanks Lisa
Hi Judy – I’m so glad you love this shrimp scampi!
This recipe was so awesome & so easy to make. I made it exactly like you said & didn’t need to change anything. I love shrimp scampi it never got it to taste as great as your recipe. Thank you!
Hi Donna – Happy to hear you enjoyed this shrimp scampi recipe!
Made this for dinner and it was great. Thank you for another easy, delicious recipe.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Tracy!
It comes really good. With the shrimps, is it possible to add maybe a lobster tail, as my son loves having them both. Thanks.
Yes, you can definitely add lobster meat if you’d like as well.
It’s my dinner right now and I’m in love. Thank you.
Happy you love the recipe, Leanna!
I made Shrimp Scampi over Cauliflower Mash for dinner tonight. It was my first attempt cooking shrimp and while it did take me longer than 10 minutes, it was definitely easy and quick!
I’m happy you loved the combo of the shrimp scampi and cauliflower mash!
Made this for dinner last night after watching your video! It was quick, easy, super fresh and tasty served with a side of asparagus. It was such a hit we didn’t have a single bite leftover.
Hi Lysa – Thanks for the review and happy to hear you enjoyed this shrimp scampi!
This recipe is so easy to make and it’s packed with flavor! A perfect quick dish for a busy night.
We love to pair it with some linguine and a glass of white wine :)
Hi Karinne – Happy to hear you love this shrimp scampi recipe!
This is a “non recipe” comment but I was wondering where you came up with the idea to name your site DOWNSHIFTOLOGY?
I talk about that in the “FAQ’s” under the “About” section at the top of my website. :)
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. Fantastic and so easy! I prepared the sauce ahead of time and it only took a couple of minutes to cook the shrimps just before serving. I did add 2 good pinches of Old Bay seasoning and in all 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, as we like some ‘oomph’.
I served it on spaghettini and served Roasted Broccoli florets with lemon zest (1 lemon) and some Parmesan cheese. Deeeelish!
I love how your served this shrimp scampi, Barbara!
I made this recipe a few weeks ago and it was a hit. Super simple yet delicious and flavorful. My new favorite shrimp recipe. Thanks again!
I’m happy to hear you loved this shrimp scampi recipe, Erika!
This was delicious. I served it with Spinach pasta (added to the sauce at the end) and it was a healthy hit of goodness.
This shrimp scampi sounds delicious served over a spinach pasta! Glad it was a hit, Danielle.
Sounds and looks delicious. Cannot wait to try it. I need to save it so I can make it when I want to. Thank you sounds like a wonderful wonderful recipe.
Hope you enjoy this shrimp scampi!
I have baby shrimp how would I change this recipe?
Hi Regina – smaller shrimp will just cook a bit faster. Enjoy!
I love Shrimp Scampi but my husband is allergic to milk. We just learned this and I’m trying to learn what to substitute for milk products. What do you suggest using instead of butter? I really don’t want to use margarine though. I appreciate your help!
Can he have ghee? You could swap that in. Or any vegan butter.
Very nice recipe, twist lemon never tried that. Yummy that hint of citrus, try two sprigs of fresh rosemary with butter, remove then add garlic. Thank you. Joseph !!!!
Glad you loved this shrimp scampi recipe, Joseph!
I just made this dish and served it with cauliflower rice and your suggested side of garlic sauteed spinach….delicious! Both are simple, quick and easy recipes that pack big flavors and complement each other perfectly! Definitely putting this on rotation!
Love the meal you put together here, Stacey!
Hey! Thanks for recipe😍 is nutrition for 100g?
Another wonderful dish!!!! PLUS!!!! I finally pulled out my spiralizer (never used… i do this.. buy things and don’t use them until inspired.. I know.. there’s something wrong with me lol) ) so I followed your YouTube on spiralizing and zoodled my butt off and SUCCESS!!!!!!! Thanks again Lisa!!!!
Welcome back to zoodling! Glad to hear you’re loving this shrimp scampi as well :)
I was looking for some shrimp inspiration and I discovered this new recipe. As always, so delicious and easy. I combined this recipe with your garlic spinach and a simple lentil salad. Only downside is there were no left-overs ;-).
Haha, that is always a drawback of a tasty recipe. ;)
Loved it! Cooked with quinoa and once took out the shrimp, dumped spinach in it and all made the perfect dish
Awesome! Happy you loved it, and I’m sure it was tasty on the quinoa. :)
One very nice simplistic recipe. my little twist is a sprig or two of fresh rosemary added to butter olive oil prior two wine , just give it a light smash prior to adding Joseph old James Beard associate !!
Super quick fix and very delicious. I made cilantro rice alongside and sliced fresh mango/pineapple salad. So fresh!
Sounds like such a delicious meal Hillary!