Classic Shrimp Scampi

Name: Classic Shrimp Scampi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined); ⅓ Cup Butter; ¼ Cup Olive Oil (Extra Virgin); ¼ Cup Fresh Parsley (Chopped); 3 Tablespoons Garlic (Minced (7-8 large cloves)); ¼ Cup White Wine (Dry (Pinot Grigio, Chardonay)); 1 Teaspoon Salt; ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper; ½ Teaspoon Red Chili Flake (optional); 2 Lemons (juice of 1 for sauce, 1 lemon for garnish)

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This Classic Shrimp Scampi Recipe is an Italian mainstay that can be on the table in 15 minutes.

Close up shrimp scampi in skillet with bread

Full of rich butter, garlic, and a hint of wine and lemon flavor this shrimp dish is sure to please. You can serve it simply with a side of crusty bread or use the sauce to dress up some scrumptious pasta.

Add a side of Italian Stuffed Artichokes and a green salad with Italian Salad Dressing for a perfect dinner.

Contents hide

Ingredients

Instructions

FAQs

Tips For Success

Related Recipes

"📖 Recipe"

Classic Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients

Shrimp- Fresh or frozen shrimp work for this dish. Make sure frozen shrimp are properly defrosted. They need to be peeled and deveined.

Dry White Wine- The butter sauce is supposed to be very light, so choose a wine that is crisp and light. Avoid anything that coats your tongue or is very sweet.

Instructions

Step 1

Start by preparing all of the ingredients. Have each item fully prepared and ready to use before starting.
Mince garlic, chop parsley, wash lemon, and measure wine, olive oil, and butter.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil and butter to the pan.
Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic. Let the garlic warm through to release its flavor.

Step 3

Next, add white wine and lemon juice. Simmer for five minutes to bring the sauce together and reduce the wine.
Add the cleaned shrimp to the pan, season with salt and pepper. Let cook for 2-3 minutes.

Lay them flat around the pan so that they cook evenly.

Step 4

Turn and let cook for another 2 minutes.
Finally, remove the pan from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley and chili flakes (optional).

FAQs

What kind of white wine do you use for shrimp scampi?

Dry, crisp white wines work well with light sauces and bright lemon flavor. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are perfect choices. Dry Chardonnay, preferably unoaked, can be a good choice as well.

Can you make scampi sauce without wine?

If you don’t have wine or prefer to cook without alcohol, you can add seafood stock and a few teaspoons of white wine vinegar.

Why are my shrimp tough?

The most common reason shrimp are dry or tough even when sitting in a succulent butter sauce, is that they are simply overcooked. Shrimp cooks very quickly. They need as little as 2minutes on each side.

The best way to avoid overcooking is to have everything you need ready and close at hand while cooking. Also, plan your cooking order so that the shrimp is the last thing that needs to be made so that it can be served immediately.

What do you serve with shrimp scampi?

Shrimp scampi can be served as a stand alone dish. It goes perfectly with a crusty loaf of bread, risotto, and a green salad.

The shrimp and butter-wine sauce are great over pasta. Add ½ cup of pasta water before tossing the noodles in the shrimp scampi.

Tips For Success

This recipe cooks up so quickly. I highly recommend that you have all of your ingredients prepared and measured before you start cooking.

Watch the garlic carefully. Keep the heat low and let it heat through. If it burns, it will turn the dish bitter.

I recommend buying shrimp that has been peeled and deveined. The tail is up to you. If you are eating as a stand alone dish, tail on is fine. If you are planning on serving this over pasta, it is easier to eat with the tail off.