Description
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is a quick and elegant seafood dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a rich, aromatic sauce of garlic, butter, olive oil, and lemon juice, finished with fresh parsley and just a hint of spice. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, it’s versatile and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing. Season lightly with salt and black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add freshly minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute. Take care not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Cook the Shrimp: Place seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn opaque and slightly pink, avoiding overcooking to maintain tenderness.
- Finish the Sauce: Once cooked, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and stir to combine. Sprinkle chopped parsley for freshness and color. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Notes
- Use room temperature shrimp for even cooking and better flavor absorption.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook shrimp in batches if necessary for proper searing.
- Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for the best aroma and taste.
- Maintain medium heat to gently cook garlic and shrimp without burning.
- Serve immediately as shrimp taste best fresh off the stove.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz shrimp with sauce
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg