If you’re looking for a recipe that is both elegant and simple, look no further than this incredible Shrimp Scampi! This simple yet indulgent dish will wow everyone at the table and make an excellent special occasion meal.
Need more special occasion recipes? Try our Seared Scallops Recipe, Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta, Salmon en Papillote, Marry Me Chicken or this delicious Italian-American Stew called Cioppino.
If you’re looking for something impressive to serve for Valentine’s Day this year (or other special occasions dinners like an anniversary or birthday), this Shrimp Scampi recipe is perfect. Its rich flavor and beautiful presentation make it a showstopper. Best of all, it’s surprisingly easy to put together.
HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE
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Pyrex 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set, 1-Qt, 1.5-Qt, and 2.5-Qt
What Ingredients are in Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp Scampi is the quintessential shrimp recipe. Shrimp Scampi may be full of rich, complex flavors, but the dish itself only requires a handful of simple ingredients. To make this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Ingredients
Garlic Cloves – you’ll want the whole cloves, not the garlic that comes pre-minced in a jar.
Kosher Salt – I like the big flavor of Kosher with the larger grains of salt.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use the finest, and you will taste the difference.
Large or Extra-Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined – If you’re using frozen shrimp, you’ll want to defrost it in the fridge overnight before preparing the recipe. For a quick fix, you can run them under cold water until just thawed. Wild Caught Shrimp is ideal, but whatever fits your budget will work just fine.
Red Pepper Flakes – Add that hit of heat that is needed.
Dry White Wine – You can substitute the wine with chicken broth if necessary. Use whatever you are drinking.
Fresh Lemon Juice – Fresh is the best and so much better than bottled.
Butter – There is lots of butter in this recipe, a 1/4 of a cup. Use good quality butter; it can make or break the dish.
Fresh Parsley – It adds the brightness that is needed against the richness of this dish.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi
To make Shrimp Scampi, begin by finely mincing 2 garlic cloves and thinly slicing 2 more garlic cloves. Set aside the thin slices of garlic.
In a medium bowl, mix together the shrimp (peeled and deveined, and thawed if using frozen shrimp), the minced garlic, a teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set the mixture in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour. Don’t skip this step! Letting the shrimp marinate makes a huge difference in the end result!
Once the shrimp has marinated in the garlic and oil mixture, heat another 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet (you may need to work in batches) for one minute on each side or just until the shrimp turns pink but still slightly undercooked. Gently transfer the shrimp to a plate using tongs or a slotted spoon, leaving the oil in the pan.
Making the Sauce
Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the oil in the pan and cook for another minute. The garlic will be fragrant when done. Don’t have the pan too hot so that you burn the garlic; you will then have to start over again.
Add the wine and lemon juice and cook, stirring often, until the liquid is reduced by half. This will take about 2 or 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the butter and cook another 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Pour the shrimp into the garlic butter sauce, gently stirring to completely coat the shrimp with the sauce. Cook for an additional 1 or 2 minutes until the shrimp is fully cooked through.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Top with chopped fresh parsley to serve, and enjoy immediately!
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi?
You have a lot of options when deciding what to serve with Shrimp Scampi. In my opinion, simplicity is best. My favorite thing to serve with Shrimp Scampi is a good Crusty Bread (I like Sourdough or an Italian Loaf) to dip in the buttery sauce. I also love to serve Shrimp Scampi with noodles like Linguine or Angel Hair Pasta. The noodles don’t need a sauce – just drizzle some of the buttery Shrimp Scampi sauce over the top and enjoy!
If you want more ideas for what to serve with Shrimp Scampi, you could also try these side dishes:
Roasted Potatoes – This recipe makes them extra crispy and delicious.
Grilled Asparagus or Roasted – Asparagus just marries so nicely with shrimp. A match made in heaven.
Caprese Salad – Such an easy and delicious salad to make.
Caesar Salad – It is a classic and goes perfectly with these shrimp.
Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles for a gluten-free alternative)
Risotto
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 4 garlic cloves divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 pound large or extra large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 generous pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- juice from 1/2 a lemon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Finely mince 2 garlic cloves. Thinly slice the other two garlic cloves. Set aside the garlic slices.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the shrimp, minced garlic, salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set the mixture in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour.
- Once the shrimp has marinated in the garlic and oil mixture, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet (you may need to work in batches) for 1 minute on each side or just until the shrimp is pink but still slightly undercooked. Gently transfer the shrimp to a plate using tongs or a slotted spoon, leaving the oil in the skillet.
- Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the hot oil in the skillet and cook for another minute or until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the wine and lemon juice and cook, stirring often, until the liquid is reduced by half – about 2 or 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the butter and cook for another 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Pour the shrimp into the melted butter sauce, stirring gently to completely coat the shrimp with the buttery sauce. Cook for an additional 1 or 2 minutes until the shrimp is fully cooked.
- Top with chopped parsley to serve, and enjoy immediately!
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