Shrimp Scampi Recipe
The best Shrimp Scampi Recipe! Succulent shrimp in the most delicious garlic butter and wine sauce drizzled with freshly squeezed lemon juice. The dish is prepared in 10 minutes from start to finish with impressive results.
This restaurant quality classic shrimp scampi is so easy to recreate at home. Shrimp Scampi can be served as an appetizer or a quick and easy dinner like our Shrimp Scampi Pasta.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Hey, hey! Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing a recipe for the easiest Shrimp Scampi!
What is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp Scampi is an amazing Italian shrimp dish. It calls for large shrimp or prawns seasoned, then cooked and generously smothered in a butter, garlic and wine sauce served with freshly squeezed lemon juice. The flavors come together and produce a restaurant-quality dinner from the comfort of home. This recipe is perfect for a date night dinner at home.
This is a great recipe if you are on the keto diet. If you are completely removing wine when on the keto diet, the wine may be completely substituted for broth.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi?
This easy shrimp scampi is sure to impress not only with how simple and quick the dish is to prepare but also the flavor of the dish and WOW aesthetic appeal.
- Season and sautee shrimp just until cooked through
- Remove shrimp from pan and cover to keep warm
- Saute garlic with butter, pour in the wine and broth and simmer
- Add the shrimp back to the pan, top with fresh parsley and squeeze in lemon juice
- Toss to combine and enjoy immediately
NOTE: Don’t overcook the shrimp or it will taste rubbery and dry. Cook just until both sides are opaque and pink in color.
What is the Best Wine for Shrimp Scampi?
Your favorite dry white wine may be used in this wine sauce such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc.
Do not use anything labeled “cooking wine” for shrimp scampi which are often low quality, taste terrible and contain additives. There is no need to break the bank. A reasonably priced ($8-$10 per bottle) dry white wine would work really well for shrimp scampi.
Can I make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine?
Yes, if you don’t have wine or don’t like to cook with wine, just substitute the wine for chicken broth. Season sauce with additional salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste, if needed.
More Shrimp Recipes to Try:
- Shrimp Fried Rice – perfect for meal prep
- Shrimp Pasta – in creamy Alfredo sauce
- Bang Bang Shrimp – flavor packed
- Shrimp and Salmon Recipe– One pan meal
- Coconut Shrimp – with the best dipping sauce
What can I serve with Shrimp Scampi?
You can enjoy them as an appetizer paired with a crusty French bread to dip into that amazing sauce, or enjoy this seafood dish as a main course with your favorite side. Shrimp scampi pairs well with mashed potatoes or white rice and baked asparagus, or you can toss this scampi with your favorite pasta.
I can’t wait for you to give this Shrimp Scampi Recipe in the best wine sauce a try and be totally impressed.
Try these other EASY dinner recipes:
- Fish Tacos – with the best fish taco sauce!
- Chicken Stir Fry – satisfies the craving for takeout
- Chicken Parmesan – easy way to feed a crowd
Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, raw, peeled & deveined
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground paprika
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, (or canola oil)
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp dry white wine
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tbsp chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp parsley, chopped
- 1/2 lemon, to squeeze over finished dish
Instructions
- Combine the salt, pepper and paprika then sprinkle it over the shrimp and toss to combine.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over med/high heat. Once hot, add shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes per side just until cooked through. Remove the shrimp from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add the garlic and butter, saute over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently so the garlic doesn't burn.
- Pour in the wine and broth then cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the shrimp back to the pan. Add fresh parsley and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp to taste. Toss lightly to combine and serve shrimp scampi right away.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Valentina Ablaev
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Excellent recipe and ALMOST exactly how I make my shrimp scampi. One thing extra I do is take those shrimp peels and boil them in small amount of water for a few minutes and use this broth with the white wine instead of another kind of broth!
Thank you for sharing, Marilyn!
This recipe is easy but flavorful! It comes together quickly. I paired mine with Angel Hair pasta. I will be making this one again!
Hello Janet, great to haer that you enjoyed our Shrimp Scampi Recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Natasha,
Your directions for your Shrimp Scampi were easy to follow and the final results would compare to the finest restaurants in the USA! Thanks for sharing your recipe! My husband and I loved it! I can’t wait to get your new Cookbook that I have preordered! ♥️♥️♥️
Dyakuyu,
Christine
Hi Christine! That’s wonderful. Thank you for the wonderful feedback. I’m glad you loved the recipe and I’m so excited for you to get your copy of the cookbook! 🙂
I just want more sauce as to serve over linguine. Do I just double the ingredients except for the salt pepper paprika because I’m using just one pound of shrimp
Hi Katrina! Yes, that should work fine. You can add more salt/pepper/paprika to taste at the end if needed.
I usually don’t use a recipe for shrimp scampi but tonight I used yours. It was perfection. Thank you.
Thanks for choosing this recipe, glad you love it!
Great! Easy, quick, and delicious! Big hit with hubbie who is a Scampi snob. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, good to hear that this was a hit!
Thank you for this delicious recipe!! I swear it taste better every one I make it, being somewhat addicted, I even made it to go over the lobster ravioli we had for dinner tonight 😋😋
You’re welcome! So glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Janet. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Made this today…better than any restaurant! No chicken broth……..1/2 cup wine!
Great success with all your recipes.
Hi Helen! I’m so glad to hear that. Thanks so much.
Made your Shrimp Scampi tonight and served it over Pappardelle pasta. It was amazing and hubby said put that in the rotation for dinner. Thank you!! Sorry no photos, we ate it to fast hehe
You’re welcome and thanks for sharing! No worries about the photo, feel free to share them on our Facebook page comments or Facebook group.
made this for my picky 9 year old and he devoured it! your recipes never fail to impress!
Lovely to hear that, Renee! Thanks for sharing!
How would I substitute chicken for shrimp in this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Remy. I have a recipe for chicken scampi, HERE.
Natasha,
I have been very concerned about the war in Ukraine. Did your family get to the United States? I hope they are safe. God Bless the innocent people in that country. They are in my prayers.
They are safe, thank you for your concern, and please continue to pray for the people in Ukraine.
What can we use instead of chicken broth? Trying to make this for lent.
You can replace it with water or vegan broth made with vegetables.
Vegetable broth. We often throw away the water that our vegetables cooked in. Why not add a celery stalk, an onion, salt, pepper, spices if you like (I a rosemary stalk); boil that water to obtain a reduced liquid. Cool down and pour in ice cube tray and free. Once frozen put in a bag and you will have on hand a nice broth for sauces, etc.
This is a super quick and easy recipe that taste amazing! Natasha always has recipes that are hit with my family!
Thank you for that lovely review, Chasity!
I never know what to cook and your recipes are all so good I can’t decide which one to try first.
Thanks, Allen. I hope you’ll love whatever recipe that you will try!
Are the tails removed before cooking?
Hi Jan, We kept the shrimp tails on our shrimp. Take a look at the main photo.
What to serve this with as a meal? Thanks.
Hi Kim! These can be served as an appetizer or a quick and easy dinner like our Shrimp Scampi Pasta. It goes great over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Roasted asparagus is a great side for this also!
As a flight nurse, I cook for my pilot and my medic colleagues. 80% of your recipes are my “go to” for quick and simple preparations/meals. I’m making the shrimp scampi tonight for my crew!!!! Thank you and keep the awesomeness!!!!
Wow! That’s amazing, Suzette! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so happy my recipes are being used by our heroes! Thank you for all you do!
I love the Shrimp Scampi absolutely delicious sometimes I don’t know what to cook ,you make it easy for me to choose from your recipes
thank you Natasha
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes, Theresa! Thank you for sharing your lovely comment.
Natasha I have to tell you I have been cabinet maker for the last 40 years now I am currently unemployed find myself home cooking every day for my family your recipes are amazing I have so far cooked about 20 different items everyone gets five stars I don’t know how you stay so skinny I probably put on 10 pounds in the last two months thank you for everything
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes, Eddie!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
What can I use instead of chicken broth? I don’t want to open an entire container for 3 tablespoons.
Hi Norma, it should still work fine without broth. You could also add a little more wine and cook until it’s reduced by about half.
Thank you for your reply. That’s what I did and they turned out wonderful!
I was thinking the same thing. I make my shrimp scampi pretty much the same, just without the paprika & tons of garlic. I serve it over linguine & either a salad or a green veggie. It really is a quick, easy & delicious recipe. It’s done in the time it takes for the water to boil & pasta to cook!
Made this tonight, it was delicious!!! I didn’t use wine but did use chicken broth and the broth from the boiled shells.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
A huge thank you for including options without alcohol! There are many cooks whose books I no longer purchase because of recipes without alcohol substitutions.
You’re welcome, Ella! I’m so glad that was helpful.
I LOVE YOUR RECIPES BUT THEY ARE TOO HIGH IN. SODIUM, SHRIMP SCAMPIE IS OVER 1200
in my house, salt is always to the taste of the person eating the food. i use very minimal salt. i know that there are many salt substitutes…..i just cant imagine not eating shrimp scampi because of salt! i think its a simple recipe, and can be adjusted to suit the cook!
Super !!
I’m glad you enjoyed that!
Hi Natasha, love this recipe and i have been making for quite some time (my fav fun night meal)! I do one thing different. I boil the shells from my easy peel shrimp for 20 min. and use this instead of the broth. Tip: I boil shells and freeze in ice cube tray so I don’t have to boil them every single time I make this meal (which is once a week). I also chop 1 shallot and cook with garlic. I love your recipe videos, thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi Natasha
This is very delicious. I am doing it today . But do you need the wine and broth and simmer? Or you can just have the wine without the broth? Just don’t know how to do the the broth.
How much of wine will you need?
Do you have this recipe in video?
Thanks
Really love your cooking. Would like it to be on an app.
Hi Loria, if you are completely removing wine when on the keto diet, the wine may be completely substituted for broth. Season sauce with additional salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste, if needed. There’s no video for this recipe yet but thanks for your suggestion!
Natasha, I love all your recipes!!! Trying this one next week. Can I use Ghee (clarified butter) instead? I cant wait to make all your other recipes. This site is by far the best yet
Hi Jennifer, that should work to use ghee/ clarified butter.
I just made this for the first time. It was one of the most delicious meals that I have ever made. No fancy cooking skills needed! I will definitely prepare this again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the scampi recipe.
Wow! Visited a friend in Seattle, made a a few meals and was told to take over all food preparation while there (a complement to be sure). Made the Scampi which was very well received! Was able to obtain really fresh shrimp as well as other ingredients which makes a huge difference. This was really easy to prepare. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that, Robert! Thank you for sharing that with us!
If you substitute broth for wine then how much broth and what kind? Chicken?
Hi Toni, should be the same amount or add more if you prefer to have more sauce and add seasoning to taste.
Can we use frozen shrimp ?
Hi Lisa, yes, just be sure to defrost it first.
I made this tonight! My son loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome! Glad you and your family enjoyed it.
So easy and delicious. Didn’t have parsley so subbed basil and served with pasta.
That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing that with us, Janet.
This was very good and so easy to make. I intend to make this dish for transport to my family and, I get why you squeeze lemon juice over the plated dish, but to make things a little easier for my family do you think I could get away with adding the lemon juice to the finished sauce? Thank you, and love your videos especially your antics!
Hi Leo, that may work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
We kinda did a combo of this and the shrimp scampi pasta. We added the pasta, asparagus, and lemon juice. It was delicious! As I’ve shared before, cook times were spot on! Definitely a great meal on the fly. Thanks for being wonderful!
Loev it! Thank you for sharing your experience making this recipe and for giving this a great review!
Dinner for tonight!! Wish me Luck
I hope you love it!
I’ve made shrimp scampi several times, but never with paprika. I can’t wait to try this.
I hope you love this recipe Vincent!
Looks heavenly…do you think when making with pasta that that serving with grated cheese on top would conflict the flavors?
Hi Leo, that’s how the restaurants do it! I think it sounds amazing!
I did exactly that on my own serving and it was delicious!
Making this again (was absolutely fantastic first time) only this time pairing the shrimp with scallops and serving over Linguine! I need to double the recipe and was wondering if I need to double all ingredients or just some of them as not to over flavor
Hi Bob, I would double it with the same ingredients.
Thank you!
Update: It is absolutely just as delicious with scallops mixed in with the shrimp! New family favorite! served over linguine with antipasto and garlic bread! Love your recipies, I’m Italian and of course cook a lot of that, but must say, have been trying a lot of your recipies, and everyone of them has been awesome, tyvm and keep “em coming”
Awesome thank you for the update!
Delicious and Easy! My husband and I can’t wait to make this again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Delicious! Just made this today and I really enjoyed it!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Which type of wine do you personally use when cooking shrimp recipes?
Hi Marie, Your favorite dry white wine may be used in this wine sauce such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. Do not use anything labeled “cooking wine” for shrimp scampi which are often low quality, taste terrible and contain additives. There is no need to break the bank. A reasonably priced ($8-$10 per bottle) dry white wine would work really well for shrimp scampi.
I obviously missed that the shrimp tails are removed….before cooking I presume.
We kept the shrimp tails on our shrimp. Take a look at the main photo.
So I have made this shrimp scampi tons of times and the kids always go for seconds and my 9 year old-who is a bottomless pit‐often goes for thirds or more! Tonight was no exception, served with pasta and roasted asparagus (a little more fancy than my usual Monday go-to… ha!) Thank you for helping to improve my cooking game bigtime!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Alisha! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Do you have any suggestions on what to use instead of white wine?
Hi Audrie, yes, please see the section titled: “Can I make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine?” which should help.
Love love this recipe! Made it for dinner over rice. Delicious. My boyfriend gave me compliments on the flavor and tenderness of the shrimp!.
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Made this the other night and it was so easy and so delicious. I put it over pasta with broccoli. Family loved it.
That’s so great! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
The shrimp scampi is the bomb!
Really good.
I don’t follow directions but I was close. Added shrooms. Yum
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
How much “sauce” does it make? Enough to pour over 2 servings of pasta or should I double the recipe?
Hi Lesly, I wish I had measured it that way. If you like more of the sauce you are more than welcome to double it.
Made this tonight. It was an easy recipe to follow and absolutely delicious!
That’s so great Heather! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
The only thing is when I add the shrimp to the oil it sizzles and the oil goes everywhere. Am I making the oil to hot? I’d like to make this more but it’s hard when I can’t get close to the hot skillet with oil going everywhere
Hi Marlee, it sounds like it may be too hot. What kind of oil are you using?
Hello,
I used olive oil. Also I used defrosted shrimp, could that affect the outcome of the dish?
Thank you!
Hi Marlee, defrosted is best since the liquid will cause splatter and increase cook time/ the possibility of drying it out.
I think you’re hot
Hi Natasha, I was wondering if I make a bigger batch will this reheat well? Or is it only good fresh? Thank you!
Hi lena, I haven’t tested that in a large batch but that should reheat just fine.
Thank you! Will try it 🙂
What kind of wine is recommended?
Hi Kathy! Your favorite dry white wine may be used in this wine sauce such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. Do not use anything labeled “cooking wine” for shrimp scampi which are often low quality, taste terrible and contain additives. There is no need to break the bank. A reasonably priced ($8-$10 per bottle) dry white wine would work really well for shrimp scampi.
So much yummy flavor! Love this dish!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Taylor! Thank you for that awesome review!
We love this recipe! Shrimp is one of my husband’s fave so this was a hit!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Eden!
This is by far the best shrimp recipe I’ve ever made! So delicious!
Hi Anna! I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
This made my mouth water just reading it. Can’t wait to make this!
hope you love it Julie!
Love this scampi recipe! So easy and it turns out perfectly every time!
I’m so happy to hear that Steph! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Hi Natasha! Great recipe. Thank you for sharing as always. I have a request for you. As Easter is around the corner, I am hoping you will give brioche bread a whirl. I think it would be such a great addition to your blog. It’s definitely missing here and would fit perfectly for Easter. I watched Stefanie from Joy of Baking make some brioche bread and thought how you could bring that type of bread to the Slavic community.
Hi Oksana! Thank you for those wonderful suggestions! We keep our Eater archives here 🙂
Thank you love. I have made all of the Easter recipes you have posted. I am keeping my fingers crossed for some new content! 🙂
If I served this with rice, could I double the sauce for the dish and serve it over the rice? It sounds amazing as is, that’s why I rated it 5 stars.
Thanks
I think that sounds awesome! I look forward to your feedback Janet!
Hi, it looks delicious and I am going to make it for our family’s holiday party this Sunday. I can’t wait to catch up with all your ‘Recipe’!!
I hope you love it!! Thank you for sharing that with me!
This is such a filling meal without making you feel stuffed. Amazing flavor and super easy to make.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Jen!
This scampi is packed with flavor and so easy – one of my new favorites!
That’s so great Courtney! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
This is my family’s all time favorite! Love it!
I love that you have a family favorite on our blog! Thank you for that awesome review, Lauren!
This was the best shrimp scampi I’ve ever had! Thank you for the recipe!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for the awesome review! 🙂
Shrimp scampi is my favorite and this recipe is awesome!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that great review!
This shrimp scampi was amazing! The seasoning and the sauce made the shrimp heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing your great review!! I’m so glad you loved the scampi 🙂
I was trying to figure out how to make a quick dinner today. I remembered I had shrimp. And then this recipe popped up on Facebook😊 This was absolutely delicious! My husband is a seafood fan and he loved it!!
Ooh that makes my day! Thank you for sharing that with me! I’m so glad you both loved the recipe.
Hi Natasha,
What size shrimp do you recommend for this recipe? Thank you!
Hi Tiffany, we used large shrimp.