Name: Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled, deveined; 2 grated garlic cloves (from total 9 cloves); Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 7 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided (2 Tbsp. for toasting breadcrumbs, 3 Tbsp. for sauce, 2 Tbsp. for cooking shrimp); 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs; 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest (from total 3 tsp.); Heavy pinch kosher salt; 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes; 5 finely chopped garlic cloves (from total 9 cloves); 1/2 cup dry white wine; Juice of 1 lemon; 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest (remaining from total 3 tsp.); 1/3 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus more for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 75 reviews

If you love a fuss-free, flavorful meal that comes together in a snap, then you’re going to adore this Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually super approachable — perfect for weeknights or impressing guests without any stress. I’ve made this countless times and each visit to the kitchen reminds me why it’s such a winner in my house. Ready to make a garlic-buttery, lemony shrimp dinner that your whole crew will rave about? Let’s get cooking!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: You can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
Bursting with Flavor: Garlic, lemon, butter, and fresh herbs combine for a sauce that’s downright irresistible.
Versatile: Whether you want to serve it over pasta, rice, or just with crusty bread, it works beautifully.
Crowd-Pleaser: Every time I bring this to the table, my family goes crazy for it—yours will too!

A shiny copper pan filled with one layer of cooked shrimp in a light yellow creamy sauce, sprinkled with small green herbs and bits of red chili flakes. The shrimp are bright orange and pink with white edges and their tails still on. A silver spoon rests inside the pan, holding three shrimp in sauce. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with some chunks of light brown bread around it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Shrimp Scampi, shrimp scampi recipe, garlic butter shrimp, quick seafood dinner, easy dinner with shrimp

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this easy shrimp scampi recipe really comes from using fresh, quality ingredients that work perfectly together. A few little tips: use large shrimp for the best texture, and grab fresh garlic and lemon to make that sauce sing.

Flat lay of large raw shrimp with shells removed, several whole uncracked brown garlic cloves and some finely minced garlic, a small handful of coarse kosher salt crystals, a few twists of freshly ground black pepper, a small pat of unsalted butter, a small white bowl with golden panko bread crumbs, thin strips of bright yellow lemon zest, a small white bowl with clear extra-virgin olive oil, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, a small white bowl filled with pale yellow dry white wine, a halved lemon showing juicy flesh, a small pile of fresh chopped bright green parsley all arranged symmetrically in a harmonious composition, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Easy Shrimp Scampi, shrimp scampi recipe, garlic butter shrimp, quick seafood dinner, easy dinner with shrimp

Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp cook quickly and soak up all that buttery sauce.
Garlic: Both finely chopped and grated to build depth of flavor in the sauce and crispy topping.
Kosher salt: Seasoning is so important; kosher salt has a clean flavor that doesn’t overpower.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds the perfect touch of heat and earthiness.
Unsalted butter: Gives you control over the saltiness and adds richness.
Panko bread crumbs: Toasted to golden crispiness for a fantastic crunch.
Lemon zest: Brightens everything up with a fresh citrus punch.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds a smooth, fruity background to the sauce.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Just enough heat to keep things exciting.
Dry white wine: Helps deglaze the pan and adds a subtle tang.
Fresh lemon juice: The final splash for that bright, tangy finish.
Fresh parsley: Finely chopped for a fresh green burst and garnish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how this recipe invites you to switch things up depending on what you have and what flavors you enjoy. Feel free to experiment—this is your kitchen playground.

Spicy Kick: I sometimes add a bit more crushed red pepper flakes when I’m craving heat — it livens up the buttery sauce deliciously.
Garlic Lovers: If you adore garlic like I do, try roasting some cloves first and folding them in for a sweeter, mellow flavor.
Herb Swap: Fresh basil or thyme can be a fantastic twist if you want to mix up the herb profile.
Protein Substitution: I’ve even made this with scallops or chicken, and it works just as well!

How to Make Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Step 1: Season and Marinate the Shrimp

Start by tossing your peeled and deveined shrimp with two grated cloves of garlic, along with a generous pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. I always let mine chill in the fridge for up to 30 minutes here — it gives the garlic a chance to gently infuse into the shrimp, boosting flavor right from the start without any complicated marinating.

Step 2: Toast the Breadcrumbs with Garlic and Lemon

While the shrimp rests, melt 2 tablespoons of butter on medium-low heat in a small skillet. When the foaming subsides, stir in two more grated garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about two minutes—don’t let it brown too quickly; you want that aroma, not bitterness. Then, toss in the panko breadcrumbs and toast until they’re beautifully golden and crunchy (around 4 to 5 minutes). Add a teaspoon of lemon zest and a heavy pinch of salt, and stir to mingle all those flavors. Set this garlicky breadcrumb topping aside—it’s what adds a delightful crunch at the end.

Step 3: Cook Shrimp Until Just Pink

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt another 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the shrimp in batches so they sear evenly—crowding the pan will steam them and you’ll lose that lovely texture. Toss occasionally, and cook the shrimp until just pink all the way through, usually 2 to 3 minutes. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery, so keep a close eye. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside, reserving the pan juices.

Step 4: Build the Sauce with Garlic, Wine, and Lemon

Turn heat to medium-high and warm the olive oil until it shimmers. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and the chopped garlic cloves; cook, stirring, until the garlic is just beginning to turn golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes). Then pour in the dry white wine, squeeze in fresh lemon juice, and add the remaining two teaspoons of lemon zest. Let everything simmer and reduce by about one-third—this concentrates those bold flavors without bitterness. Drop heat to medium-low and swirl in the last 3 tablespoons of butter, adding a tablespoon at a time to emulsify the sauce into a silky texture. Stir in chopped parsley for freshness.

Step 5: Finish and Toss

Return your cooked shrimp along with any juices that have collected on the plate back to the skillet. Toss everything gently to coat the shrimp in that buttery, garlicky sauce. Warm it through for about two minutes—you want to keep the shrimp tender and juicy while the flavors meld together.

Step 6: Serve with Garlic Breadcrumbs and Parsley

Sprinkle the toasted garlic breadcrumbs generously over the shrimp scampi, then add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and brightness. The contrast between tender shrimp and crunchy topping is absolute perfection!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook fast—once they turn pink and curl, remove them to keep them juicy and tender.
Toast Breadcrumbs Slowly: Low heat helps achieve that perfect crunch without burning your garlic.
Butter Emulsification: Add butter slowly and swirl it in to create a smooth, velvety sauce instead of grease.
Use Fresh Lemon Zest: It makes a world of difference over bottled lemon flavor, giving the sauce a brighter aroma and taste.

How to Serve Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish this dish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of green and a fresh, herbal note that cuts through the richness. The crispy garlic breadcrumbs on top add a textural wow factor every single time—don’t skip them!

Side Dishes

This shrimp scampi is delicious served over angel hair pasta or creamy risotto for a hearty meal. On lighter days, I love pairing it with steamed asparagus or a crisp green salad. And of course, a big hunk of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up all that luscious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this recipe in individual shallow bowls over a bed of garlic butter noodles, garnished with lemon slices and extra breadcrumbs. It makes a simple, elegant presentation that feels like a restaurant dish—perfect for date nights or celebrations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep the shrimp from drying out, I make sure to spoon over some of the buttery sauce before sealing it up. Reheating is best done gently to preserve texture.

Freezing

Personally, I don’t recommend freezing shrimp scampi because shrimp can get rubbery after thawing. But if you need to, freeze just the sauce in a separate container and cook fresh shrimp when ready—this keeps the quality much better.

Reheating

When reheating, I warm the scampi slowly in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or white wine if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid the microwave if you can—it tends to toughen the shrimp.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure you thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before starting—the excess moisture can affect how well they sear and the sauce’s consistency.
What’s the best type of white wine to use?

I usually go with a dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These have crisp acidity that balances the richness of the butter and complements the lemon’s brightness without overpowering the shrimp.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts for that crunchy topping. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
What should I serve with shrimp scampi?

It’s delicious over pasta, but you can also serve it alongside rice, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad. Crusty bread on the side is a must-have to mop up the garlicky sauce.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Yes, you can double or even triple the ingredients. Just make sure to cook shrimp in batches to avoid crowding the pan and losing that great sear.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes because it’s so easy, comforting, and fancy-feeling all at once. Every time I make it, I get that little spark of joy when the kitchen fills with garlic and lemon aromas—the kind of dinner that just makes you smile. I hope you give it a try soon and make it your own too. Nothing beats a simple dish that tastes like a celebration, and with this recipe, you’re well on your way!