Shrimp Scampi Lemon Garlic

Shrimp Scampi is a dish that perfectly marries juicy shrimp with a vibrant lemon garlic butter and white wine sauce all tossed with delicate pasta. This recipe is great for weeknights when you want something impressive yet fast since it comes together in under 30 minutes with just a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples.

I remember the first time I made this when I wanted to impress my family. The bright, garlicky flavors had everyone asking for seconds and it quickly became one of our favorite easy seafood meals.

Ingredients

• Large shrimp: fresh or frozen but thawed shrimp work best clean and deveined for best texture
• Unsalted butter: the base of the sauce, giving it richness and silkiness use real butter or a quality plant based substitute if preferred
• Garlic: freshly minced is essential to get that pungent aromatic punch
• Dry white wine: Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio recommended for acidity and complexity avoid sweet wines as they throw off balance
• Fresh lemon juice: brightens and lifts the sauce with refreshing citrus notes
• Olive oil: helps cook shrimp gently without burning garlic
• Spaghettini or linguine: thin pasta that clings nicely to the buttery sauce
• Salt: enhances all the flavors and seasons the shrimp well

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:

Cook minced garlic in melted butter and olive oil over medium heat carefully for about 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and just beginning to brown. This step builds the flavor base without burning the garlic which would add bitterness.

Cook the Shrimp:

Season shrimp lightly with salt and add them to the skillet. Cook on one side until shrimp turns opaque and slightly curled which should take about 1 to 2 minutes depending on size. Flip shrimp and cook similarly on the other side until just opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet leaving the fragrant garlic butter behind.

Simmer the Sauce:

Add more butter to the skillet and let it melt over medium heat. Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate.

Finish with Lemon and Combine:

Stir in fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt to balance acidity. Return the shrimp to the pan and cook for an additional minute so they soak in the sauce. Finally toss cooked pasta in the skillet coating it thoroughly with the lemon garlic butter sauce before serving.

One of my favorite things about this dish is how the shrimp gets tender but not rubbery when cooked properly. My mom used to say the secret was timing and I learned the hard way that overcooking shrimp ruins everything. This dish brings back happy memories of family dinners where everyone gathered around sharing stories and passing plates.

Storage Tips

Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep the pasta separate if possible to avoid it soaking up too much sauce and becoming mushy. To reheat gently warm the shrimp and sauce in a skillet adding a splash of white wine or water to loosen the sauce, then toss in the pasta.

Ingredient Substitutions

Butter can be swapped for a dairy free plant based alternative without losing the luscious texture. If white wine is not available use low sodium chicken broth and a teaspoon of white wine vinegar to mimic acidity. Shrimp can be replaced by large scallops or firm fish chunks for a different seafood twist.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad to balance the richness. Garnish with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes for a little extra color and heat. A chilled glass of the same dry white wine you used in cooking elevates the meal beautifully.

Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parsley and a chilled glass of the dry white wine you used in cooking.

FAQs About This Recipe

→ What type of shrimp works best?

Large, peeled and deveined shrimp provide the best texture and cook evenly for this dish.

→ Can I substitute dry white wine?

Dry white wine such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio adds essential acidity and depth; avoid sweet wines.

→ How do I know when shrimp is cooked?

Shrimp turns opaque and its tail curls into a “C” shape when fully cooked and ready to serve.

→ Is butter essential in the sauce?

Butter provides richness and flavor, but plant-based buttery substitutes can work well in its place.

→ What type of pasta pairs well?

Thin pasta like spaghettini or angel hair complements the light sauce and shrimp perfectly.