Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
This Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe delivers a luscious, buttery seafood dish with a garlicky kick, ready in under 20 minutes. Featuring tender shrimp in a flavorful garlic butter sauce brightened with lemon juice, white wine, and fresh herbs, it’s a quick and easy meal that tastes gourmet and is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
- Diet: Gluten Free
Shrimp and Seafood
- 1 lb medium peeled and deveined shrimp
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced finely
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio) or broth as substitute
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For Serving
- Cooked pasta (such as angel hair) or crusty bread
- Prepare the Shrimp: Start with peeled and deveined shrimp. Pat them dry thoroughly using paper towels to ensure they sear beautifully without steaming, locking in their juices.
- Cook Garlic and Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the finely minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Shrimp and Sear: Place the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for approximately 2 minutes on each side, until the shrimp turn pink and develop a slight char. Avoid overcooking to maintain tenderness.
- Deglaze with White Wine and Lemon Juice: Pour in the white wine and fresh lemon juice. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the pan to incorporate extra flavor. Let the sauce simmer and reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes.
- Finish with Red Pepper Flakes and Parsley: Sprinkle red pepper flakes and freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp. Toss gently to combine, then remove the skillet from the heat, allowing the sauce to cling to each piece.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the shrimp scampi warm over cooked pasta or alongside crusty bread to soak up the delicious, buttery sauce.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook shrimp in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing.
- Use fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice for best flavor results.
- Keep the heat at medium to prevent burning garlic or overcooking shrimp.
- If serving with pasta, reserve some pasta water and toss pasta with shrimp and sauce for better flavor melding.
- Adjust acidity by adding more lemon juice or a pinch of salt to balance richness if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: shrimp scampi, Red Lobster style, garlic butter shrimp, quick seafood recipe, easy shrimp dinner, gluten free seafood, lemon garlic shrimp