A Taste of the Sea: Captivating Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
If you’ve ever craved a dish that’s more than just a meal — something that feels like an experience — Succulent Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is your answer. Imagine tender, juicy shrimp drenched in a luscious garlic butter sauce, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. It’s elegant, comforting, and incredibly easy to prepare.
The best part? This restaurant-quality dish comes together in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re planning a quick weeknight dinner or a romantic seafood-inspired meal, this shrimp scampi recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Fun fact: Shrimp Scampi is a staple in Italian-American cuisine, often found in coastal restaurants for its balance of freshness and indulgence. If you loved our Classic Lemon Garlic Pasta, this dish will make your taste buds dance with delight. So roll up your sleeves — we’re bringing seaside flavors straight to your table!
🌊 What Is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp Scampi is a beloved seafood dish that features tender shrimp sautéed in a rich blend of butter, garlic, and lemon. Traditionally, “scampi” referred to a small crustacean found in Italy, but over time, shrimp took center stage — giving us this delectable modern twist.
Each bite bursts with buttery garlic flavor and a hint of citrus brightness, making it both luxurious and comforting. And yes, as the saying goes — “the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach” — this dish proves it true!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Here’s why this recipe will quickly earn a spot in your regular rotation:
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🧄 Packed with Flavor: The combination of butter, garlic, and lemon creates a savory, mouthwatering sauce that perfectly complements the shrimp.
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💰 Budget-Friendly Luxury: Skip the restaurant — you can make this elegant dish at home for a fraction of the price.
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🧀 Versatile & Customizable: Serve it with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Add herbs, chili flakes, or Parmesan to make it your own.
If this dish becomes your new favorite (and it likely will!), try our Creamy Seafood Pasta next for another indulgent, ocean-inspired meal.
🍋 Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
To make this easy shrimp scampi recipe, you’ll need:
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1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
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½ cup unsalted butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Juice of 1 lemon
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Cooked pasta (spaghetti or linguine), for serving
That’s it — simple ingredients that come together beautifully in just minutes.
⏱️ How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Quick Overview
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Total Time: 25 minutes
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Servings: 4
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Shrimp
Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps them sear properly instead of steaming. -
Sauté the Garlic
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1–2 minutes until fragrant (don’t let the garlic brown). -
Cook the Shrimp
Add the shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. -
Add Lemon and Herbs
Squeeze in the lemon juice and sprinkle the fresh parsley. Toss everything together so the shrimp are coated in that golden, buttery sauce. -
Serve and Enjoy
Spoon the shrimp and sauce over your cooked pasta (or serve with crusty bread). Garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for the perfect finishing touch.
🍞 What to Serve With Shrimp Scampi
Complement your Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with:
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Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up the extra sauce.
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Fresh Garden Salad: A crisp, tangy salad balances the richness beautifully.
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White Wine or Sparkling Water: A chilled Pinot Grigio or lemon-infused sparkling water pairs perfectly with the seafood flavors.
💡 Tips for Perfect Shrimp Scampi
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Use Fresh Shrimp: The fresher the shrimp, the sweeter the flavor. If using frozen shrimp, thaw and pat dry completely before cooking.
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Avoid Overcooking: Shrimp cook quickly — remove them from heat as soon as they’re pink and firm.
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Enhance the Sauce: Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth for extra depth.
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Make It Creamy: Stir in a spoonful of cream or Parmesan for a luxurious twist.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined Choose the freshest shrimp available.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter Ensure to use unsalted butter for better control over seasoning.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Minced garlic adds rich flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for a bit of heat.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped Fresh herbs add freshness and color.
- to taste Salt and pepper Season according to personal preference.
- Juice of 1 lemon Fresh lemon juice enhances the flavor.
- to serve Cooked pasta (spaghetti or linguine) Use your choice of pasta.
Instructions
Preparation
- Thoroughly rinse and pat dry the shrimp with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Cooking
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for approximately 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into the skillet and stir in the chopped parsley, coating the shrimp evenly with the butter and garlic sauce.
- Toss the shrimp and sauce over your cooked pasta, mixing gently to combine.
Serving
- Garnish with extra parsley if desired, and enjoy!
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