If you’re anything like me, you want a dinner that’s quick, flavorful, and just downright satisfying. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe with you—it’s one of those go-to dishes I keep coming back to when I want to impress without hours in the kitchen. You’ll love how the garlicky, buttery sauce perfectly coats tender shrimp, making every bite mouthwatering and crave-worthy. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be adding it to your weekly rotation too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Fast & Easy: You’ll have dinner on the table in about 10 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
All About Fresh Flavors: Bright lemon, fragrant garlic, and fresh parsley make every bite vibrant and satisfying.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Serve it over pasta, rice, or veggies, and watch your family go crazy for it.
Easy to Customize: Add red pepper flakes for heat or keep it mild for a family-friendly dish.

A close-up view of a pile of cooked shrimp in warm light, the shrimp are curled with bright orange tails and creamy white bodies, each piece sprinkled with small green parsley leaves, the shrimp sit in a glossy light yellow butter sauce with tiny bits of seasoning visible, a wooden spoon partially lifts some shrimp from the mix, the scene is set against a white marbled textured surface, showing the moist texture and fresh herbs clearly, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi, easy shrimp dinner, quick seafood recipes, flavorful shrimp dish, garlic butter shrimp

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to make the classic scampi sauce shine. Using fresh garlic and good-quality shrimp really elevates the dish, and grabbing a dry white wine or broth adds a lovely depth of flavor if you want to skip alcohol.

Flat lay of large raw shrimp with shells and tails, a few whole garlic cloves, two tablespoons of golden olive oil in a small white bowl, four tablespoons of creamy butter in a small white bowl, a small white bowl holding bright red crushed red pepper flakes, a small white bowl with translucent pale yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl with clear dry white wine, a small white bowl with coarse sea salt, a small white bowl with freshly cracked black pepper, a small white bowl filled with vibrant chopped fresh parsley, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi, easy shrimp dinner, quick seafood recipes, flavorful shrimp dish, garlic butter shrimp

Olive oil: Use a good extra virgin olive oil—it adds fruity richness with every sauté.
Butter: Unsalted butter lets you control salt levels better and gives that luscious, creamy finish.
Garlic: Fresh cloves minced or good-quality jarred minced garlic both work, but fresh really amps up the aroma.
Shrimp: I prefer large prawns with tails on; it looks fancy and helps lock in flavor and moisture.
Salt and cracked pepper: Season carefully so the shrimp’s natural sweetness can shine.
Dry white wine (or broth): Great for simmering; the wine adds brightness, but broth also keeps things flavorful if you prefer no alcohol.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but I love the gentle kick it gives—adjust to your heat tolerance.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best; it brightens up the entire dish with zesty freshness.
Fresh parsley: Adds that lovely pop of green color and herbal freshness that balances the richness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe is super forgiving, so I encourage you to play around with it and make it your own. I’ve tried several tweaks depending on what I have on hand or my mood—which makes it even more fun to cook.

Spicy Scampi: Adding extra red pepper flakes or even a dash of cayenne really turns up the heat and gives the dish a fun kick.
Herb Variations: Try swapping parsley for fresh basil or cilantro when you want a different herbal twist. It’s surprisingly delicious!
Low-Carb Friendly: I often serve this over zucchini noodles or steamed cauliflower instead of pasta—it keeps it light and fresh.
Non-Alcoholic Version: Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of white wine; it keeps the sauce just as flavorful without the alcohol.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Garlic in Butter and Oil

Start by heating the olive oil and half of your butter in a large pan over medium heat. As soon as the butter melts, add the minced garlic. You’ll want to stir it constantly and watch closely—it only takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute for garlic to become fragrant and golden without browning. This little step is key because burnt garlic can turn bitter, so don’t walk away!

Step 2: Cook Shrimp Just Right

Next, toss in your shrimp, then season lightly with salt and cracked pepper. Cook them for 1 to 2 minutes on the first side—you want to see them just start turning pink and curling slightly, but not fully done. Flip them over carefully, so they cook evenly. Shrimp cook super fast so keep a close eye on them or they’ll get rubbery, which is my personal pet peeve!

Step 3: Simmer with Wine and Spices

Pour in the white wine or broth and sprinkle in your red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook 1 to 2 minutes more until the wine reduces by about half and the shrimp are fully opaque. It smells amazing here—you’ll want to pause and just savor that garlic-butter-wine aroma. Once cooked, immediately turn off the heat to avoid overcooking.

Step 4: Finish with Butter, Lemon & Parsley

Stir in the remaining butter, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and chopped parsley. They brighten and round out all those rich flavors perfectly. The butter melts into the sauce creating a creamy, glossy finish while the lemon and parsley add fresh pops of flavor. Give it one last gentle stir and it’s ready to serve!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp only need a few minutes; overcooking makes them tough, so watch the color change closely.
Fresh Garlic is Key: Use fresh minced garlic whenever possible for the best aroma and flavor; it’s a game-changer.
Wine or Broth Substitute: If you skip wine, I’ve found broth adds great depth without the alcohol taste—both work great here.
Serve Immediately: This dish shines best freshly made—shrimp can dry out if left too long after cooking.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

The image shows many cooked shrimp with curled bodies, their shells partly removed to reveal white and pink flesh with a soft texture. The shrimp have bright orange tails and are seasoned with small bits of black pepper and fresh green parsley scattered evenly on top. The shrimp look slightly shiny, as if coated with a light sauce or oil. The background is a close-up view, showing the shrimp piled on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi, easy shrimp dinner, quick seafood recipes, flavorful shrimp dish, garlic butter shrimp

Garnishes

I love to finish this dish with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley to add color and a squeeze of lemon for brightness right at the table. Sometimes I add a few grinds of cracked black pepper on top for a subtle spice. These simple touches make the dish look as good as it tastes!

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are garlic bread to soak up every delicious drop of sauce, or a bed of linguine or spaghetti tossed lightly with olive oil and parmesan. On lower-carb days, I serve it over zucchini noodles or steamed broccoli, which makes it feel just as indulgent but lighter.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating the shrimp over a nest of buttery angel hair pasta with a lemon wedge and a sprig of parsley on the side. It feels restaurant-worthy but is so easy to pull off. I’ve also served this on toasted crostini as an appetizer at parties—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator and try to enjoy them within 1-2 days. The flavors hold up well, but the shrimp can get a bit tougher after a day, so I recommend reheating gently.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times, but shrimp texture can change after freezing and thawing, getting a bit chewy. If you do freeze, store the sauce and shrimp separately if possible, or freeze in a single container and plan to use it in cooked pasta or a skillet meal soon after thawing.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming the shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat—just enough to take the chill off without overcooking. Adding a teaspoon of butter or a splash of broth helps keep everything moist. Microwave reheating tends to dry it out, so I avoid that if I can.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe?

Yes! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the pan, which can dilute the flavors and make it harder to get that delicious sear.
What can I substitute for white wine in this recipe?

If you prefer to avoid alcohol, chicken or vegetable broth makes a great substitute. Use the same amount and it will add savory depth without changing the overall flavor profile too much.
How do I prevent shrimp from becoming rubbery?

Cook shrimp just until they turn opaque and pink—usually about 1-2 minutes per side depending on size. Overcooking shrinks and toughens them, so keep an eye on the pan and remove from heat promptly.
Can I make this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe ahead of time?

Shrimp is best freshly cooked, but you can prep the sauce ahead by sauteeing garlic and mixing butter, lemon, and parsley. Add cooked shrimp just before serving for best texture and flavor.
What sides go best with Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi?

Pasta, garlic bread, rice, or steamed vegetables like broccoli or zucchini noodles all pair beautifully. Choose your favorite carb or keep it light with low-carb veggies.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe comes together so quickly yet tastes like something you’d get in a fancy restaurant. It’s one of those dishes that feels special but doesn’t stress me out on busy days. Plus, it’s unbelievably versatile, so you can easily tailor it to whatever ingredients you have or the mood you’re in. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it just as much as eating it, and your family or friends will definitely ask for seconds. Give it a try—it might just become your new favorite weeknight dinner!