Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish with shrimp sautéed in butter, white wine, and garlic sauce. Serve it over pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
The perfect meal for any occasion
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian dish that’s been around for decades, and it’s traditionally made with shrimp and garlic. It is a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for any night of the week, this dish will make you feel like you’re on a trip to Italy.
The shrimp themselves have a rich, subtle flavor that pairs well with the garlic and butter. The butter helps to keep the shrimp tender while they cook and adds richness to the sauce. The dish also typically includes white wine, lemon juice, and parsley or other herbs.
Shrimp scampi is traditionally served over pasta with a side of crusty bread or rice pilaf so you can soak up all of those delicious juices!
What is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp scampi is a dish that has its roots in Italy, most notably in coastal districts like Liguria, where seafood is a common ingredient. It is a simple and easy-to-make dish but packs a burst of flavor.
It consists of tender shrimp, garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and rich butter sauce. This creates a richly flavored sauce that can be prepared in just minutes if you have all of your ingredients on hand.
What is shrimp scampi made of?
Extra-virgin olive oil and butter: I love to use quality extra-virgin olive oil because of its intense taste.
Garlic: mellows into a sweet, almost nutty flavor
Dry white wine or broth: It helps to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful sauce by adding a subtle acidity and depth of flavor to the dish.
Kosher salt: add to taste
Freshly ground black pepper and red pepper flakes: add for a kick of heat.
Shrimp: Peeled and deveined.
Parsley: It adds a nice color and freshness to the dish.
Freshly squeezed juice: cuts greasiness and heaviness and gives food a fresh, clean taste.
How to make shrimp scampi
Step 1: Pat the shrimp dry.
Step 2: Melt butter and olive oil, add garlic and sauté.
Step 3: Stir in the white wine or broth, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper and boil.
Step 4: Add the shrimp and cook until just pink.
Step 5: Add the parsley and lemon juice.
Step 6: Stir and remove from heat.
Tips to make the best shrimp scampi
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Overcooked shrimp can be rubbery. Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and are no longer translucent.
Don’t skimp on the white wine: A good quality dry white wine will add a nice acidity and depth of flavor to the dish. Use enough to deglaze the pan.
Shrimp scampi without wine
You can make Shrimp scampi without wine. If you choose not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth. The broth will help to create a sauce, but it will have a different depth of flavor than the wine. You can make it without wine for kids.
Reheating shrimp scampi can be done in the oven, over the stovetop, or microwave.
Oven: The best way to reheat shrimp scampi is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Place the shrimp scampi in a baking dish, cover it with foil and reheat it for about 10-15 minutes or until it is heated.
Stovetop: Using a pan, you can reheat the shrimp scampi on the stovetop. Place the shrimp scampi in a pan over medium heat and occasionally stir until it is heated.
Microwave: Place the shrimp scampi in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with plastic wrap or a lid. Heat it on high for about 1-2 minutes or until it is heated through. Be sure to stir the shrimp scampi halfway through to ensure even heating.
What wine to use for shrimp scampi
When making shrimp scampi, dry white wine is a common addition to add a subtle acidity and depth of flavor to the dish.
Some popular options include Sauvignon Blanc to add a bright citrus note to the dish, Pinot Grigio with a subtle fruitiness, Chardonnay for a buttery and citrusy note, and Riesling for sweetness.
Generally, it’s best to use a wine you enjoy drinking, as you’ll use a fair amount of it in the recipe. Avoid using a too-sweet wine as it can overpower the flavors of the shrimp and the other ingredients.
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish with shrimp sautéed in butter, white wine, and garlic sauce. The dish is typically served over pasta but can also be enjoyed with rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and set aside.
Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant it begins to brown lightly on the edges.
Stir in the white wine or broth, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Increase the heat to high and boil the wine until it reduces by half, about two minutes.
Add the shrimp and cook until just pink, approximately 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the parsley and lemon juice. Stir and remove from heat.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Overcooked shrimp can be rubbery. Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and are no longer translucent.
Don’t skimp on the white wine: A good quality dry white wine will add a nice acidity and depth of flavor to the dish. Use enough to deglaze the pan.
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