Hello, hello. Welcome back to my food blog, YangYummm, where I talk about one of the most important things in life: food. Looking for an easy shrimp dish that will impress your guests? Look no further than Shrimp Scampi! This amazing and delicious dish is simple to make and always a crowd pleaser. In this blog post, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to make shrimp scampi like a pro. So get your pots and pans ready and let’s get cooking!
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What is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp Scampi literally means “shrimp shrimp”. It is a shrimp dish that originated in Italy and is usually made with simple everyday ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. It can be served as an appetizer or main course. This dish is simple yet so flavorful and will definitely leave your guests wanting more.
What is the sauce made up of?
The sauce is made of garlic, butter, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice. It is a simple sauce that is packed with flavor. The recipe that I will be sharing with you today is my own personal variation of the classic dish. I like to add a little bit of spice to my shrimp scampi by adding some crushed red pepper flakes. I love how it infuses with the oil so perfectly and helps elevate the flavor of the dish.
How to make Shrimp Scampi (Video Tutorial):
Some Variations to this recipe:
There are many variations to this recipe.
You can add different herbs to the sauce, such as parsley, basil, or thyme.
You can also add different vegetables to the dish such as mushrooms, tomatoes, or even spinach.
Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to find a shrimp scampi recipe that you love.
Pairings or side dishes that would go well with this dish:
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, as well as some delicious rice pilaf or cooked pasta. (I especially love eating it with some good old Spaghetti)
What can I use as a substitute for white wine?
White wine is pretty essential, in my opinion. I use a good ol’ Sauvignon Blanc for my recipes. But if you can’t find it or for some reason it’s not available, you can use chicken broth or even water. Just be aware that the dish will not have the same depth of flavor without the white wine.
So there you have it, a delicious and easy shrimp scampi recipe that is sure to impress your guests. Shrimp Scampi is a delicious seafood dish that can easily be made at home. The sauce is made with simple ingredients and takes just minutes to prepare. You can serve this dish with pasta, rice, or even some crusty bread for dipping (which I’ve used in my video tutorial for you). If you’re looking for a tasty seafood dinner that doesn’t require a lot of fuss and can be made in as little as 20 minutes, then you need to try this shrimp scampi recipe! I hope you give this recipe a try soon – let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
Large Shrimp – The best shrimp to use is the fresh raw ones, tail-on (more flavor). However, you may use the already peeled/deveined ones or even the frozen raw shrimp from BJ’s like this.
Unsalted Butter/Extra Virgin Olive Oil – the fat that provides the flavor and thickens the sauce
Garlic – Aromatic
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – For an added kick to the amazing shrimp scampi sauce
White Wine – I like to use Sauvignon Blanc, as it’s delicious on its own & readily available in the market near me. Feel free to substitute with any other dry white wine.
Cherry Tomatoes – pop of color and sweet acidic flavor
Fresh Parsley – for freshness and garnish
Lemon zest and juice – for acidity
Grated Parmesan Cheese – for garnish (OPTIONAL)
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Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz large raw shrimp, peeled/deveined (may use frozen)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup white wine (I used Sauvignon blanc)
- 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 3 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of ½ a lemon (may use 1 tbsp bottled lemon juice)
- Grated parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- First peel, devein & rinse the raw shrimp (if using frozen, thaw it out first in the refrigerator). Then, sauté them in 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick pan on medium-high heat for about 1-2 minutes on each side (or until just pink in color). Remove the shrimp onto a separate plate.
- In the same pan, add in 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat until butter is melted. Then, throw in minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. I love adding crushed red pepper flakes at this stage because its spicy flavor gets infused with the oil really nicely. Next, we'll add 1/2 cup of dry white wine (I use Sauvignon blanc). Bring that to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it reduce for about 2 minutes.
- Now add the shrimp back into the pan. At this point, I would usually add in some cooked pasta + pasta water (but if not using pasta, then see "NOTES" section). Add in remaining 1 tbsp butter, halved cherry tomatoes, lemon zest & juice, and fresh chopped parsley and give it a toss. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Plate it up and garnish with grated parmesan cheese, if desired & serve immediately. Yummmy!
Video
Notes
- If not using pasta, I would highly recommend adding a little bit of corn starch slurry (1 tbsp corn starch: 2 tbsp water).
