Do you love juicy shrimp smothered in zesty lemon garlic sauce? Then this recipe is for you. Shrimp scampi is as easy to make as it is delicious — all it takes is 30 minutes to make this restaurant-quality dish. Serve it as an appetizer or with rice, pasta or fresh bread for a light meal.

Let’s explore how to make this classic Hook family favorite.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Shrimp Scampi

For tender, flavor-filled shrimp scampi, avoid these pitfalls:

  • Overcooking the shrimp: Cooking the shrimp for too long makes them rubbery and dry.
  • Skipping drying the shrimp: Excess moisture causes watery scampi. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking.
  • Burning the garlic: Burnt garlic gives your dish a bitter taste. Keep an eye on it and remove any burnt bits from the skillet.
  • Overcrowding the pan: Crowding shrimp in the pan causes them to steam in their own moisture rather than searing, ruining the texture.
  • Using precooked shrimp: Reheated precooked shrimp become rubbery. Use raw, peeled or shell-on shrimp(opens in a new tab) for best results.
  • Acidic marinades: Avoid marinating shrimp in vinegar or lemon juice. Acids can precook the shrimp and make them mealy.
  • Forgetting the pasta water: When serving with pasta, use starchy pasta water to thicken and emulsify the butter sauce.
  • Improper thawing: Defrosting on the counter is unsafe. Thaw flash-frozen shrimp by submerging them in cold water.

What are the Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi involves fewer ingredients than you might think:

  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined(opens in a new tab)
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves minced or pressed garlic
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ⅓ cup of white wine (sauvignon blanc or chardonnay) or chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

How to Make Shrimp Scampi

The beauty of this dish is how simple it is to cook:

  1. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
  2. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the shrimp. Add half the garlic, red pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Toss to coat and marinate for 20 minutes.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Space out the shrimp and garlic mixture in the pan. Cook for one to one and a half minutes. When shrimp turn opaque, flip and cook for another minute. The shrimp should be lightly golden — watch that the garlic doesn’t burn!
  5. Move the shrimp to a plate. Remove and discard any browned garlic bits from the skillet.
  6. To make the sauce, melt three tablespoons of butter over medium heat in the skillet.
  7. Add the rest of the garlic. Cook for around 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  8. Mix in the white wine and lemon juice. Cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens or reduces by half.
  9. Add the shrimp and juices back to the skillet. Stir in the last tablespoon of butter and ½ teaspoon kosher salt to taste.
  10. Top with parsley, stir and cook for one more minute.
  11. Serve warm with sourdough bread for dipping, or over pasta or rice.

Get Fresh Shrimp Delivered to Your Door

For over 100 years, James Hook & Co. has supplied the nation with the highest-quality seafood on the market. Our shrimp is tender, plump and ready to add to your scampi. Choose from peeled, deveined or shell-on shrimp depending on your preference. Your next-day delivery arrives in a Styrofoam insulated box with gel ice packs for guaranteed freshness.

Browse our range of delicious shrimp online(opens in a new tab) or visit our beloved Boston restaurant.