Shrimp Scampi in Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of a classic seafood favorite with our Shrimp Scampi in Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce. This recipe elevates succulent shrimp to new heights, bathed in a luxurious blend of garlic, lemon, and butter.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and tangy notes, making it a delightful culinary experience for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or craving a special weeknight treat, this dish promises to impress with its simplicity and elegance. Let’s dive into the art of creating this exquisite shrimp scampi together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of garlic, lemon, butter, and white wine creates a rich and savory sauce that perfectly complements the succulent shrimp.

Easy Preparation: With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, this recipe is easy to follow, making it accessible for both novice and experienced cooks alike.

Versatility: This dish can be served as a main course alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread, or as an elegant appetizer for entertaining guests. Its versatility makes it suitable for various occasions and preferences.

Restaurant-Quality Taste: By using quality ingredients and following the cooking techniques provided, home cooks can achieve a restaurant-quality dish that is sure to impress family and friends.

Customizable: The recipe allows for flexibility in ingredient quantities and optional additions, such as adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes for spice or adding extra parsley for freshness, enabling individuals to tailor the dish to their taste preferences.

Key Ingredients:

Shrimp: The star of the dish, shrimp adds a delicate seafood flavor and a satisfying texture. Ensure they are peeled and deveined for easy eating.

Garlic: Minced garlic provides a robust aroma and flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall savory profile.

Butter: Both olive oil and unsalted butter are used for cooking the aromatics and creating the luscious lemon butter sauce, adding richness and depth of flavor.

Lemon: Lemon zest and lemon juice contribute a bright and zesty citrus flavor that balances the richness of the butter and complements the seafood.

White Wine: Dry white wine, preferably chardonnay, is a crucial component of the sauce, imparting a subtle acidity and complexity to the dish.

Shallots: Shallots add a mild, sweet onion flavor and a pleasant texture to the sauce, enhancing its depth and complexity.

Red Pepper Flakes: A touch of red pepper flakes provides a hint of heat and adds a layer of complexity to the sauce, but can be adjusted to personal preference.

Tomato: Diced roma tomato adds freshness and a burst of color to the dish, as well as a subtle sweetness that balances the savory and tangy elements.

Parsley: Minced parsley, used both in the sauce and as a garnish, adds a vibrant green color and a refreshing herbal flavor, enhancing the visual appeal and freshness of the dish.

Shrimp Scampi in Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, 16/20 count

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, divided

½ cup shallots, ⅛-inch dice

1 tablespoon minced garlic

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon lemon zest

⅓ cup lemon juice

½ cup dry white wine, chardonnay recommended

½ cup diced roma tomato, ¼-inch dice

1 tablespoon minced parsley, plus more for garnish

Instructions

Defrost Shrimp – If using frozen shrimp, place them in a colander and run under cold water until no longer icy, about 3 minutes. Alternatively, set in a bowl and submerge in room temperature water until defrosted. Shake to remove excess moisture.

Season – In a medium bowl, combine shrimp with salt and pepper.

Cook Aromatics – Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter melts, add shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and cook until shallots are tender and garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes.

Cook Shrimp – Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer, and turn the heat up to medium. Saute for 2 minutes, not moving the shrimp. Flip them over and finish cooking, about 1 minute. Transfer to a clean bowl.

Reduce Sauce – Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add in lemon zest, lemon juice, and wine. Bring to a boil and allow the sauce to reduce by half, about 4 to 6 minutes.

Thicken Sauce – Turn the heat down to low and whisk in 3 tablespoons of cold butter. This process creates a slightly thickened and emulsified consistency.

Combine Ingredients – Add cooked shrimp, tomatoes, and parsley. Stir and cook until warmed through, about 1 to 2 minutes.

To Serve – Garnish with black pepper and fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, crusty bread, or pasta.

Notes:

Defrosting Shrimp: Ensure shrimp are properly defrosted if using frozen ones. This can be done by running them under cold water in a colander or by submerging them in room temperature water. Shake off excess moisture before seasoning.

Seasoning Shrimp: Season shrimp with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavors before cooking.

Aromatics: The shallots, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes are sautéed in a combination of olive oil and butter, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.

Cooking Shrimp: Shrimp are cooked quickly in the skillet, first on one side without moving to develop a nice sear, then flipped and cooked briefly until just pink and opaque. Overcooking can result in rubbery texture, so watch carefully.

Creating the Sauce: Lemon zest, lemon juice, and dry white wine are added to the skillet to create a tangy and flavorful sauce. Allowing the sauce to reduce concentrates the flavors and thickens it slightly.

Thickening the Sauce: Cold butter is whisked into the reduced sauce, creating a smooth and velvety texture. This emulsifies the sauce, giving it a luxurious consistency.

Combining Ingredients: Once the sauce is ready, cooked shrimp, diced tomatoes, and minced parsley are added back to the skillet to warm through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.

Serving Suggestions: Garnish the dish with additional parsley and black pepper for freshness and visual appeal. Serve with lemon wedges for extra zest, and pair with crusty bread or pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 4 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe, and how should I defrost them?

If you’re using frozen shrimp, you can place them in a colander and run them under cold water until they are no longer icy, which takes about 3 minutes.

Alternatively, you can set them in a bowl and submerge them in room temperature water until they defrost.

Be sure to shake off any excess moisture before cooking.

What’s the best way to season the shrimp for this dish?

To season the shrimp, you should combine them with kosher salt and black pepper in a medium bowl.

This helps enhance the flavor of the shrimp and the dish as a whole.

What type of wine should I use, and can I substitute it with something else?

The recipe suggests using dry white wine, with chardonnay recommended.

You can use other dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute with chicken or vegetable broth, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.

How can I prevent the garlic from browning while cooking the aromatics?

To prevent the garlic from browning, it’s essential to cook it over medium-low heat and watch it closely.

Garlic can quickly become bitter when overcooked, so ensure it’s fragrant but not browned.

Can I serve this dish with something other than pasta?

While this recipe suggests serving the shrimp scampi with pasta, you can also enjoy it with crusty bread, rice, or even a fresh salad for a lighter option.

It’s versatile and can be paired with various side dishes based on your preferences.

What type of shrimp should I use, and do I need to devein them?

You should use 16/20 count shrimp that are peeled and deveined for this recipe.

Deveining is recommended to remove the digestive tract, but you can find pre-deveined shrimp at many grocery stores for convenience.

Can I substitute olive oil for another type of oil?

While the recipe calls for olive oil, you can substitute it with other cooking oils like vegetable oil or canola oil if you prefer.

Olive oil adds a distinct flavor, so the choice of oil may affect the overall taste.

What can I use as a replacement for wine in the sauce?

If you prefer not to use wine or if you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute dry white wine with chicken or vegetable broth.

This will give the sauce a similar base without the alcohol.

Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the dish?

Yes, you can adjust the spiciness to your taste by controlling the amount of red pepper flakes used.

You can increase or decrease the quantity to make the dish milder or spicier.

What side dishes pair well with Shrimp Scampi?

This dish is versatile and pairs well with various side dishes.

The recipe suggests serving it with pasta, but you can also enjoy it with crusty bread, rice, or a simple salad.

Lemon wedges and fresh parsley make great garnishes.