Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe
A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp scampi ready in 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or a light, flavorful dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ pound (about 225 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined, medium-sized (16–20 count)
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine (optional, Sauvignon Blanc recommended)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional sides: cooked linguine or spaghetti, crusty bread
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Mince the garlic cloves finely, chop the parsley, and squeeze fresh lemon juice.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. Let the butter melt completely and begin to foam but not burn.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly and cook just until fragrant (about 30 seconds to 1 minute), avoiding browning.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes on one side until they start turning pink and edges curl. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until fully opaque but still juicy.
- Pour in the white wine and lemon juice; stir and let simmer briefly to reduce slightly, about 1 minute.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss in chopped parsley and stir gently to combine.
- Serve immediately over hot pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread. Spoon extra sauce over the top.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp; cook until they just turn pink and curl slightly. Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to ensure proper sear. If butter separates, add a splash of pasta water or broth to bring sauce back together. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. White wine is optional and can be replaced with chicken broth or extra lemon juice and water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (half the
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 23
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, 15-minute meal, seafood, weeknight dinner