What is shrimp scampi?

Shrimp scampi is a simple, quick-cooking dish of shrimp sautéed in garlic, butter (or olive oil), white wine or broth, lemon juice, and parsley. Originating from Italian-American kitchens, it’s traditionally served over pasta but also pairs well with rice or crusty bread. The hallmark is a glossy, garlicky sauce that cooks in minutes—shrimp are added last so they stay tender. For a step-by-step recipe and measurements, see our shrimp scampi recipe page.

Can I serve shrimp scampi over rice?

Yes—shrimp scampi works very well over rice. Use freshly cooked long-grain, jasmine, or basmati for a light texture, or brown rice for more fiber. Spoon the hot scampi sauce over rice so the grains absorb the garlic-butter juices; use about ½ cup of sauce per serving. If using leftover rice, reheat with a splash of water or broth to loosen it before adding the scampi. For a one-bowl meal, add steamed vegetables or wilted greens on top.

How do I stop shrimp from becoming rubbery in scampi?

Prevent rubbery shrimp by cooking them only until just opaque and firm—typically 1–2 minutes per side for medium shrimp. Key steps: fully thaw and pat shrimp dry, preheat the pan until hot, avoid overcrowding so they sear quickly, and remove shrimp from heat as soon as they turn pink and curl slightly. Remember residual heat continues to cook them, so transfer to the sauce off the heat if needed. If using large shrimp, adjust time slightly longer.

Is shrimp scampi healthy and how many calories are in a serving?

Shrimp scampi can be healthy but calories vary by portion and ingredients. A plate of scampi with pasta typically ranges 400–700 calories; a 4-ounce portion of shrimp alone is about 100–150 calories and provides roughly 20–24g protein. Butter and pasta increase fat and carbs, while using broth, less butter, extra lemon, and more vegetables lowers calories. To reduce sodium and fat, swap some butter for extra-virgin olive oil and serve over a smaller portion of whole-grain pasta or rice.

Can I make shrimp scampi ahead and what’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

You can prepare parts ahead, but for best texture cook shrimp just before serving. Make the garlic-wine sauce ahead and refrigerate up to 3 days; store cooked shrimp separately and add to reheated sauce for 1–2 minutes. For leftovers, refrigerate within two hours in an airtight container and consume within 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water until warm; avoid high heat to prevent toughness. Sauces freeze well, but frozen shrimp often get rubbery.

Shrimp Scampi Garlic Butter Lemon Parsley Easy Recipe

Name: Shrimp Scampi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4-5 large garlic cloves, minced or 1½ tablespoons minced garlic; 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp or prawns shelled, tails on or off; Pinch of salt; Pinch of cracked black pepper; 1/4 cup dry white wine or broth; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4–5 large garlic cloves, minced or 1½ tablespoons minced garlic

1 1/4 pounds large shrimp or prawns shelled, tails on or off

Pinch of salt

Pinch of cracked black pepper

1/4 cup dry white wine or broth

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1-First Step: Getting Ready Start by preparing all your ingredients to make the process smooth. Pat the 1 1/4 pounds of large shrimp dry and remove shells or tails as you like. Mince the 4 5 garlic cloves or use 1½ tablespoons minced garlic, chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley, and squeeze 2 tablespoons lemon juice from fresh lemons. If you’re adding pasta, get a pot of salted water boiling and cook it according to the package. For a low-carb twist, set aside zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Remember, keeping everything prepped helps since this garlic butter shrimp cooks quickly.

2-Second Step: Heating the Pan Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Let it heat until it shimmers, which takes about 1 to 2 minutes. This step ensures the shrimp get a nice sear without burning the butter.

3-Third Step: Cooking the Shrimp Add the shrimp to the hot pan and season with a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on one side until they start turning pink, then flip them. This quick sear keeps the shrimp tender and flavorful in your shrimp scampi.

4-Fourth Step: Making the Sauce Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine or broth and add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley for that glossy finish.

5-Fifth Step: Finishing and Serving Remove the pan from heat and mix everything together. Serve your garlic butter shrimp scampi right away over rice, pasta, or veggies. The total time is just 10 minutes, making it a hit for working professionals.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍳 Have all ingredients prepped and nearby; the dish cooks quickly so you need to work fast
🍷 Choose a good-quality dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or substitute with chicken broth if avoiding alcohol
🦐 Large or jumbo shrimp give the best texture and flavor; wild-caught shrimp are often preferred for better color and taste

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-seared
Cuisine: Italian-American
Diet: Pescatarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 303
Sugar: 0.4
Sodium: 276
Fat: 19
Saturated Fat: 8
Unsaturated Fat: 11
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 2
Fiber: 0.3
Protein: 29
Cholesterol: 258