Easy 10-Minute Shrimp Scampi

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10-Minute Easy Shrimp Scampi — If you thought shrimp scampi was just a dish to order out at a fancier restaurant, think again. You can make mouth-watering shrimp scampi at home in less than 10 minutes!

overhead view of garlic shrimp scampi in a cast iron skillet

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe 

If you think lemon garlic shrimp scampi can only be enjoyed at a fancy restaurant, think again. Shrimp scampi is one of the easiest meals to make and is a fairly inexpensive option when cooking for friends and family. 

It’s ready in less than 10 minutes and tastes like a million bucks. Since the buttery sauce is infused with garlic, lemon juice, and the essence of white wine, you are going to want to slurp it up by the spoonful.

Enjoy this simple shrimp scampi as is, or pair with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. I have a dedicated shrimp scampi pasta recipe if you want the exact instructions! This is one dinner that everyone always loves!

shrimp in scampi sauce in a cast iron skillet

Shrimp Scampi Ingredients

There are really only a handful of ingredients in this quick shrimp scampi and most of them you probably have on hand, excluding the shrimp. You will need:

  • Butter
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic
  • Shrimp
  • Lemon Juice
  • White Wine 
  • Parsley

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

close up view of shrimp scampi

How to Make Shrimp Scampi

This truly is such a quick and easy shrimp scampi made with garlic butter sauce. Here are the basic recipe steps:

  1. Melt together butter, olive oil, add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
  2. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes.
  3. Add more butter (optional but recommended), white wine, lemon juice, and then simmer for about 2 minutes.
  4. Garnish with parsley and dig in!

Recipe Tips

Because the scampi sauce comes together with so few ingredients, it’s important that you use the best ones you can get your hands on. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than the bottled kind, and buy a white wine you’d happily drink (not cooking wine). 

If using white wine, sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio are my favorites. Chardonnay works in a pinch.

Note that this recipe is best enjoyed immediately. Leftovers will keep up to 5 days in the fridge, but reheated shrimp is nowhere near as good. 

10-Minute Easy Shrimp Scampi — If you thought shrimp scampi was just a dish to order out at a fancier restaurant, think again. You can make mouth-watering shrimp scampi at home in less than 10 minutes!!

Recipe FAQs

What’s the Best Wine for Shrimp Scampi?

Use a wine you’d happily drink. Avoid anything labeled as a cooking wine, because the flavor is awful (in my opinion). You can use any white wine you’d like in this garlic shrimp scampi recipe, but my favorites are sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio.

Can I Make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine? 

Technically, yes, but I highly recommend using white wine in the shrimp scampi sauce. Anyone who’s concerned about using wine, I don’t believe in the less than 1/4 cup of wine that you’re using for this entire recipe that feeds 4 people, that there is any tangible alcohol content that remains, but this is my personal opinion. You’ll be able to smell the alcohol cooking off from the wine in the first minute or so of simmering

However, if you’re not using wine, I recommend nothing other than maybe a touch more lemon juice or possibly cooking sherry. Just note that some sherry can taste cheap and could overpower the shrimp so use what you’re familiar with.

What’s the Best Shrimp for Shrimp Scampi? 

I highly recommend using fresh, raw large shrimp for this easy shrimp scampi. For me, that means 12 to 15-count shrimp, or 12 to 15 per pound. Smaller shrimp just don’t have the same flavor for me, and they will also cook much faster.

As it is, large shrimp like I used really only need a few minutes to cook. Before adding the lemon juice and wine, I cook them for two minutes, then another two minutes after adding the liquids. Small shrimp can cook uncontrollably fast and then become tough and rubbery which you don’t want.

Cooked properly, the shrimp are tender, juicy, succulent, and with the flavorful sauce they’re bathed in, you’ll want to put this easy and delicious recipe into your rotation, even on busy weeknights.

10-Minute Easy Shrimp Scampi - If you thought shrimp scampi was just a dish to order out at a fancier restaurant, think again. You can make mouth-watering shrimp scampi at home in less than 10 minutes!!

What to Serve With Shrimp Scampi

I recommend serving it with spaghetti, angel hair, or a similar type of pasta noodle (I use linguine in my shrimp scampi pasta recipe). Or of course there’s always the crusty French bread route for maximum butter-soaking potential. Parmesan cheese French bread wouldn’t hurt either.

If you’re looking for sides to serve with this easy shrimp scampi recipe, here are some suggestions: 

Storage

In the Refrigerator: This recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat my leftovers for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed. But you can use your stove or oven, whatever is best suited for you.

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4.75 from 24 votes

Easy 10-Minute Shrimp Scampi

By Averie Sunshine
If you thought shrimp scampi was just a dish to order out at a fancier restaurant, think again. You can make mouth-watering shrimp scampi at home in less than 10 minutes!!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients  

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 to 5 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
  • 1.25 to 1.50 pounds large fresh raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • ¼ cup white wine, optional but recommended (sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio are my favorites, chardonnay in a pinch)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely minced
  • pinch red chili flakes, optional and to taste

Instructions 

  • To a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter, the olive oil, and heat over medium-high heat to melt the butter.
  • Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir constantly.
  • Add the shrimp, evenly season with the salt and pepper, cook for 1 minute on the first side, flip, and cook for 1 minute on the second side until shrimp are turning pink and are opaque; they should be about 90% cooked at this point. It’s okay if they are not cooked completely because they will be simmering a couple minutes longer.
  • Add the white wine, lemon juice, remaining butter, and allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 minutes, or until the shrimp are completely cooked through and the liquid volume has reduced a bit and smells aromatic. Please see Notes below re cooking with wine if you’re concerned.
  • Add the parsley, optional red chili flakes, stir to combine, and serve immediately. Recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

1. You'll be able to smell the alcohol cooking off from the wine in the first minute or so of simmering. Anyone who's concerned about using wine, I don't believe in the less than 1/4 cup of wine that you're using for this entire recipe that feeds 4 people, that there is any tangible alcohol content that remains, but this is my personal opinion.
2. If not using wine, I recommend nothing other than maybe a touch more lemon juice or possibly cooking sherry. However, some sherry can taste cheap and could overpower the shrimp so use what you're familiar with.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 333kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 245mg, Sodium: 1498mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Easy Shrimp Dinners: 

Shrimp Scampi Pasta — Indulge your taste buds with this elegant yet simple Italian-inspired dish! Made with succulent shrimp, zesty lemon, savory parmesan cheese, and al dente cooked pasta, this EASY restaurant-worthy recipe is ready in 15 minutes! 

Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta – This is the kind of recipe my family loves. Buttery noodles with juicy plump shrimp, flavored with lemon and garlic. And it’s the kind of recipe I love because dinner is ready in 15 minutes and it’s so easy!

Garlic Shrimp Pasta – this is the kind of recipe my family loves. Buttery noodles with juicy plump shrimp, flavored with lemon and garlic. And it’s the kind of recipe I love because dinner is ready in 15 minutes and it’s so easy.

Shrimp Ceviche – The EASIEST way to make traditional shrimp ceviche and it tastes the BEST!! Ready in 30 minutes, great as an appetizer, side, or as a healthy main course that everyone LOVES!! 

Shrimp Ceviche - The EASIEST way to make traditional shrimp ceviche and it tastes the BEST!! Ready in 30 minutes, great as an appetizer, side, or as a healthy main course that everyone LOVES!! 

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Lime Cilantro Shrimp and Black Bean Salad - Tender juicy shrimp, black beans, avocado, cilantro, and more coated in a lime sauce that's a FIESTA in your mouth!! An EASY and HEALTHY Mexican-inspired salad that’s ready in 10 minutes!!

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10-Minute Orange Chili Shrimp – The sweet-and-tangy Asian-inspired orange chili sauce is PERFECT on these big juicy shrimp!! An EASY, healthy recipe that’s sure to IMPRESS and ready in 10 minutes!!

10-Minute Orange Chili Shrimp - The sweet-and-tangy Asian-inspired orange chili sauce is PERFECT on these big juicy shrimp!! An EASY, healthy recipe that's sure to IMPRESS and ready in 10 minutes!!

10-Minute Grilled Honey Barbecue Shrimp — Fast, EASY, healthy, ready in 10 minutes, and the perfect way to enjoy shrimp!! Tender, juicy, and full of such great FLAVOR from the barbecue sauce and honey!!

honey barbecue shrimp on metal skewers

Coconut Shrimp with Orange-Chili Dipping Sauce – Plump, juicy shrimp with a crispy, crunchy coconut coating!! Fast, easy, and better than you get in restaurants! Will be your new favorite shrimp recipe!

Coconut Shrimp with Orange-Chili Dipping Sauce - Plump, juicy shrimp with a crispy, crunchy coconut coating!! Fast, easy, and better than you get in restaurants! Will be your new favorite shrimp recipe!!

Better-Than-Takeout Shrimp Fried Rice — This is an easy, one-skillet recipe that’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes better than takeout; it’s healthier and not greasy.

Better than take out shrimp fried rice

Easy Shrimp Cakes – Easy, ready in 10 minutes, and they taste better than from a fancy restaurant!

Overhead shot of easy shrimp cakes on a plate

Originally published October 7, 2019 and republished February 23, 2024 with updated text.

4.75 from 24 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This shrimp scampi recipe is really amazing. My whole family love this shrimp scampi recipe. Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us. Even i have a special shrimp scampi recipe as well.

  2. 5 stars
    This shrimp scampi recipe is really amazing. My whole family love this shrimp scampi recipe. Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us. Even i have a special shrimp scampi recipe as well.

  3. 5 stars
    Made this tonight… tasty! But I’ve gone over the recipe multiple times, and I can’t figure out where the other two tablespoons of butter come in.

  4. 4 stars
    Made this tonight… tasty! But I’ve gone over the recipe multiple times, and I can’t figure out where the other two tablespoons of butter come in.

  5. 5 stars
    Made this tonight… tasty! But I’ve gone over the recipe multiple times, and I can’t figure out where the other two tablespoons of butter come in.

  6. 5 stars
    Jon loved coming home to this tonight! This is a fantastic recipe and I will have ro make it more often. It also reminds me how much I love cooking with wine–it adds such a special flavor!

  7. 5 stars
    Jon loved coming home to this tonight! This is a fantastic recipe and I will have ro make it more often. It also reminds me how much I love cooking with wine–it adds such a special flavor!

    1. Thanks for the five star review and glad he loved this one! And yes cooking with just a bit of wine adds such a great touch and special flavor!

  8. I must try this soon! I have never made shrimp scampi but I can’t believe how easy it is! I already have wine, butter and garlic so I’ll pick up some shrimp this week.

    1. So so easy! Butter, wine, garlic, bam, shrimp scampi!

      If you make it, you’ll be able to cross shrimp scampi off your recipe bucket list :)