Description

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is a quick and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with hints of lemon and fresh herbs. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer, this recipe combines the zestiness of lemon, the earthiness of thyme, and the richness of butter for a memorable meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp

1 lb medium fresh or frozen raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (thawed if using frozen)

Butter Sauce

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons white wine
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons thyme
1/4 cup parsley, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish

Lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

Heat Butter and Oil: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and all of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter stops bubbling, creating a flavorful base for cooking the shrimp.
Cook Shrimp and Garlic: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes without moving to get a good sear. Flip the shrimp over, add the minced garlic, and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is pink, opaque, and cooked through.
Add Wine and Remaining Butter: Pour in the white wine and add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate all the flavors. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 1-2 more minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly reduce and intensify in flavor.
Finish with Herbs and Lemon: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This brightens and freshens the dish, balancing the richness of the butter.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the shrimp with lemon slices and serve immediately while hot, ideally over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
If white wine is not available, substitute with chicken broth or additional lemon juice.
Use fresh shrimp whenever possible for the best flavor and texture.
This recipe cooks quickly; avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
Serve over linguine or angel hair pasta, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 4 oz shrimp with sauce)
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 1.5 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 210 mg

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, quick seafood dinner, lemon garlic shrimp, weeknight dinner