If you love a quick dinner that feels a little special, this shrimp scampi is one to keep in your back pocket. Juicy shrimp are quickly seared until lightly golden, then tossed in a buttery garlic sauce with lemon and a splash of white wine. It’s simple, bright, and packed with flavor. Serve the shrimp scampi over a bowl of warm spaghetti to soak up the sauce, or enjoy it on its own with some crusty rustic bread. Either way, it’s a restaurant-style dish that comes together in about 20 minutes.
Why This Shrimp Scampi Works
One of the best things about shrimp scampi is how simple the ingredients are. A little butter, garlic, lemon juice, and white wine come together to make a sauce that tastes much more complicated than it is. The key here is letting the shrimp sear briefly in a hot skillet so they develop a bit of golden color before finishing in the sauce. That quick sear adds incredible flavor and keeps the shrimp tender and juicy.
The Secret to Golden, Flavorful Shrimp
Many shrimp scampi recipes skip the searing step. That can leave the shrimp pale and a bit watery. In this recipe, the shrimp are patted dry and cooked in a hot skillet with butter and olive oil. Leaving them undisturbed for a minute or two allows them to develop that light golden color that adds both texture and flavor. Once the shrimp are cooked, they’re set aside. The garlic, wine, and lemon build a simple but incredibly flavorful scampi sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Shrimp scampi is delicious served over cooked spaghetti, which helps soak up all that buttery garlic sauce. If you’re serving it with pasta, reserve a couple tablespoons of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also serve shrimp scampi with garlic bread or over rice. For a lighter option, try pairing it with roasted vegetables or a simple side salad.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. If the sauce has thickened, add a splash of warm water or broth to loosen it. Shrimp cook quickly, so avoid overheating to keep them tender.
Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup dry white vermouth or dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 8 ounces spaghetti, cooked according to package directions, optional (for serving)
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer. Season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter.
- Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook the shrimp without moving them for 2 minutes, allowing the bottoms to turn golden. Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until opaque and lightly browned. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and continue with the sauce.
- In the same skillet, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, just until fragrant.
- Pour in the vermouth (or white wine) and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid reduces slightly.
- Stir in the lemon zest. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cold butter until melted and the sauce becomes glossy.
- Return the shrimp and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce and cook for about 1 minute, just until heated through.
- Stir in the chopped parsley.
- Serve the shrimp and sauce over cooked spaghetti. (optional)
This recipe was inspired by Shrimp Scampi on iamhomesteader.com
New Recipes
See More →Shrimp Scampi
Golden shrimp scampi with garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine. A quick 20 minute dinner perfect served over spaghetti.
Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls
Fluffy sweet potato dinner rolls recipe. Naturally sweet, soft and golden. Easy homemade rolls with mashed sweet potato for any holiday or dinner.
Catalina Dressing
This easy homemade Catalina dressing recipe is sweet, tangy, and zesty! Perfect for salads & marinades. Whip it up in 5 minutes!