Quick & Tangy Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Seafood enthusiasts adore this red lobster shrimp scampi that promises pure culinary magic.

Succulent shrimp dance in a delightful butter sauce that melts in your mouth.

Garlic and white wine create an elegant symphony of flavors.

Coastal dining feels incredibly close with each delectable bite.

Professional chefs know the secret lies in perfectly cooked shellfish.

Mediterranean influences shine through this classic American restaurant favorite.

Each forkful transports you straight to a luxurious oceanside restaurant.

Your kitchen will become a gourmet destination with this incredible recipe.

What Makes Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi So Irresistible

• Flavor Explosion: Create a mouthwatering dish packed with zesty lemon, garlic, and white wine that delivers restaurant-quality taste right at your dinner table, impressing family and guests alike.
• Versatile Meal Option: Customize this recipe by serving over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread, making it an adaptable meal that suits different preferences and can easily become a crowd-pleaser for various dining occasions.
• Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Enjoy a luxurious seafood dish without breaking the bank, using simple ingredients that come together quickly to transform ordinary shrimp into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Shrimp Scampi Ingredient Breakdown

• Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich and smooth ingredients that add depth and flavor.

• Garlic, White Wine, Lemon Juice: Zesty and bright components that create a classic scampi profile.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Classic herbs and spices that bring the dish together.

• Fresh Parsley, Parmesan Cheese: Colorful and tangy finishing touches for extra flavor and presentation.

Steps to Make Famous Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Sizzle Shrimp

Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

Toss in peeled and deveined shrimp, cooking them until they transform into a beautiful pink color and become opaque.

This typically takes about 2-3 minutes per side.

Carefully transfer the cooked shrimp to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Awaken Garlic Flavors

Reduce the skillet’s heat to medium and introduce minced garlic.

Gently sauté the garlic, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until its aromatic essence fills the kitchen – about 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Build Liquid Foundation

Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and fresh lemon juice.

Boost the heat to medium-high and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.

Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce by half, which typically takes 3-5 minutes.

Step 4: Create Silky Sauce

• Italian seasoning
• Butter

Stir gently, allowing the butter to melt completely and merge with the other ingredients.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, coating them luxuriously in the sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to your preference.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a restaurant-quality meal.

Tips to Nail Shrimp Scampi at Home

• Watch the shrimp carefully and remove them from heat as soon as they turn pink to avoid rubbery texture.
• Stir garlic constantly and keep heat at medium to prevent bitter, burnt flavor that can ruin the entire dish.
• Simmer wine until it reduces by half to concentrate flavors and create a rich, smooth sauce without excess liquid.
• Select a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for authentic scampi flavor if using wine instead of broth.
• Add cold butter in small chunks while stirring to help sauce emulsify and create a silky, luxurious texture.

Storing and Warming Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of white wine or chicken broth to prevent drying out and maintain sauce consistency.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent rubbery shrimp texture.
• Throw away any leftovers that have been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours or show signs of spoilage like unusual odor or discoloration.

What Goes Well with Shrimp Scampi

• Pair Crisp Chardonnay: Smooth, buttery white wine perfectly complements the rich, lemony shrimp scampi sauce with its balanced oak and citrus notes.
• Serve Garlic Focaccia Bread: Warm, herb-infused Italian bread provides a delightful texture contrast and absorbs the delicious wine-butter sauce wonderfully.
• Match Herbed Lemon Risotto: Creamy, zesty rice side dish enhances the seafood's flavor profile while adding elegant Mediterranean-inspired complexity to the meal.
• Select Fresh Arugula Salad: Light, peppery green salad with simple lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the shrimp, offering a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.

Creative Twists on Shrimp Scampi

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat-based pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free linguine. Use certified gluten-free chicken broth and ensure all seasonings are gluten-free certified.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap traditional pasta for cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash. Reduce wine quantity and use extra broth to maintain flavor profile while lowering carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine. Skip Parmesan cheese or use nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor without dairy ingredients.
• Keto-Friendly Approach: Use coconut oil instead of olive oil. Replace white wine with dry white wine in smaller quantities. Add extra butter for increased fat content and serve over roasted vegetables instead of traditional carbohydrate sides.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they cook evenly and develop a nice sear.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and form a loose “C” shape. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery, so watch them carefully during the 2-3 minute cooking time.

• What can I substitute for white wine?

Chicken broth or seafood stock work perfectly as alternatives. If you prefer, you can also use water with a splash of white wine vinegar to mimic the acidic component.

• Is this recipe spicy?

No, this classic scampi recipe is not spicy. It’s a mild, buttery dish with garlic and lemon flavors. If you want heat, you can add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent shrimp dance in a luscious garlic-butter sauce, making Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi a seafood lover’s dream. Crisp white wine and zesty lemon elevate this classic dish, promising a restaurant-quality experience you can savor at home.

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Ingredients

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Seafood:

• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (454 grams)

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 1/2 cups white wine or chicken broth (360 milliliters)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)

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Instructions

1. Preheat a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment for the shrimp.
2. Gently introduce the cleaned shrimp into the hot pan, allowing them to transform into a vibrant pink hue and become translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
3. Reduce the skillet’s heat to medium and introduce finely chopped garlic, carefully toasting until aromatic and golden, stirring vigilantly to prevent burning.
4. Pour white wine (or chicken broth) and freshly squeezed lemon juice into the skillet, elevating the heat to medium-high and encouraging the liquid to bubble and reduce by half, concentrating the flavors.
5. Transition the heat to medium-low, gracefully incorporate Italian seasoning and butter, allowing the butter to melt and create a luxurious, silky sauce through consistent stirring.
6. Reintroduce the reserved shrimp into the skillet, delicately coating them with the fragrant sauce and ensuring even distribution of flavors.
7. Enhance the dish with a judicious sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper, tailoring the seasoning to personal preference.
8. Garnish the scampi with a generous shower of chopped parsley and a delicate dusting of Parmesan cheese, adding visual appeal and complementary flavors.
9. Serve the shrimp scampi immediately alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delectable sauce.

Notes

• Opt for fresh, high-quality shrimp to ensure the best flavor and texture in your scampi.
• Avoid overcooking the shrimp, as they can quickly become tough and rubbery if left in the pan too long.
• Use dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for the most authentic and bright flavor profile.
• If following a gluten-free diet, replace wheat pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg