Classic Shrimp Scampi
Classic Shrimp Scampi is a quick and elegant dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a touch of white wine and fresh lemon juice. This flavorful and versatile meal is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, pairing beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Shrimp and Main Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Accompaniments
- Pasta (angel hair, linguine, or spaghetti), cooked
- Crusty bread
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Peel and devein shrimp if necessary. Finely chop garlic and parsley. Measure butter, olive oil, and white wine so all ingredients are ready before cooking.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter and Olive Oil: Heat olive oil and butter together over medium heat until melted and shimmering. Add chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp in a single layer to the pan. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque, ensuring they remain juicy and tender.
- Deglaze with White Wine and Add Lemon: Pour white wine into the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Let the wine reduce slightly, then stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten the sauce.
- Season and Finish with Parsley: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste. Toss in chopped parsley for freshness and color.
- Serve Immediately: Serve shrimp scampi hot over cooked pasta, rice, or with crusty bread, spooning the garlic butter sauce generously over the dish.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook shrimp; cook just until pink and opaque to avoid rubberiness.
- Choose a dry white wine that you enjoy drinking for better sauce quality.
- Add lemon juice at the end to maintain bright flavors and prevent butter from curdling.
- Serve the dish immediately to enjoy creamy sauce and tender shrimp at their best.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, Italian seafood, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, gluten-free seafood