Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi is a classic shrimp dish with a lemon garlic wine butter sauce prepared in about fifteen minutes.  It is elegant enough for company yet easy enough for one on a weeknight.  I love to serve it with Kale Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette or Beet Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.

If you have fifteen minutes and love shrimp like I do this wonderful burst of flavor is perfect for you!  Be careful not to overcook your shrimp.  Those little guys cook up real fast! Spend a little extra change and get the large count wild caught shrimp.  The wild caught taste better than the farm raised shrimp and I think they are a little better for you.  Who knows what they are feeding those farm raised shrimp?

How do you make Shrimp Scampi?

Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp.  Next pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.  Now melt a little  butter and heat a little olive oil over medium heat.  Add the shrimp and cook about 1 1/2-2 minutes per side.  Then remove the cooked shrimp to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Now add a little more butter and olive oil to the skillet over medium heat.  Add the asparagus and cook for about 4-5 minutes stirring frequently.  Next add the garlic and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly to make sure it does not burn.  Now add the tomatoes and cook for 30 seconds stirring constantly. Next add a little bit of wine to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute letting it reduce.  Then add the shrimp back to the skillet, along with the lemon juice, parsley and crushed red pepper. Warm for a little less than 1 minute while you salt and pepper to taste.  Finally serve over angel hair pasta with fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.

How do you peel and devein shrimp?

To peel the shrimp simply pull on the legs and the shell will begin to peel away. You can keep or remove the tails depending on how you intend to serve this recipe. Now to devein the shrimp take a small pairing knife and make a shallow cut down the center of the back to the top edge of where the tail is or was. To remove the black intestine run the cold water over the back of the shrimp and rub with your fingers so the vein will rinse out easily.

Helpful tips for making Shrimp Scampi

• This recipe moves quite quickly so have everything right at your disposal.
• If available use fresh caught shrimp as they taste better and are healthier for you.  I like using the 21-25 count.
• Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese as it so flavorful and really does make a difference.
• Shrimp cook very quickly.  They are done when are pink and opaque and have curled into a “C” shape.  Do not over cook them as they will get tough and rubbery.
• Garlic cooks very quickly and can become bitter if cooked too long which it why it is added towards the end of the recipe.

Other shrimp recipes you will love!

• Baked Shrimp Toast
• Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Cóctel de Camarónes)
• Shrimp Fried Rice
• Cajun Shrimp Dip

This post was originally published March 7, 2016 and was republished April 8, 2020 with new content.

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