Succulent Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Garlicky Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe at Home

Seafood enthusiasts know that a perfect red lobster shrimp scampi recipe can turn an ordinary dinner into a culinary celebration.

Garlic, butter, and tender shrimp dance together in a symphony of flavors that transport you straight to coastal dining.

Every bite promises a delightful blend of zesty herbs and succulent seafood.

The dish emerges from your kitchen with restaurant-quality elegance and irresistible aroma.

White wine adds depth and complexity to this classic preparation.

Restaurants charge premium prices for this delectable plate, but you can craft it effortlessly at home.

Dive into this simple yet sophisticated recipe and impress your dinner companions with minimal effort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 3

Everything Needed For Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

For Proteins:
  • Shrimp: Fresh, wild-caught shrimp bring a delightful ocean sweetness and tender texture to the dish.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Create a rich, silky base that helps develop deep, complex flavors.
  • Garlic: Adds a punchy, aromatic kick that transforms the entire dish.
  • White Wine: Introduces a bright, acidic element that tenderizes and adds sophisticated depth.
  • Lemon Juice: Provides a zesty brightness that cuts through the richness.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice booster that adds a subtle, warming heat.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a salty, nutty complexity that elevates the entire dish.
  • Fresh Parsley: Introduces a fresh, herbal note that brings visual appeal and vibrant flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the natural flavors of the shrimp.

What Tools Work Best For Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

  • Large skillet: Essential for cooking shrimp and creating the flavorful sauce.
  • Paper towels: Perfect for patting shrimp dry to ensure crisp, golden edges.
  • Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning and ingredient amounts.
  • Chef's knife: Great for mincing garlic and chopping fresh parsley.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Ideal for stirring and tossing shrimp in the sauce.
  • Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.

How To Cook Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

  • Shrimp Preparation

Dry the shrimp carefully with soft paper towels. Season them gently with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to enhance their natural ocean flavor.

  • Butter and Oil Infusion

Create a delicate cooking base by melting butter and olive oil together in a spacious skillet over gentle medium heat. The combination will provide a rich, smooth foundation for the seafood.

  • Seafood Sizzle

Gently place the shrimp in a single elegant layer across the warm skillet. Allow them to transform from translucent to a beautiful pink color, cooking briefly on each side to preserve their tender texture.

  • Aromatic Liquid Magic

Introduce minced garlic to the same skillet, letting its fragrance fill the kitchen. Pour in white wine and fresh lemon juice, creating a vibrant sauce that captures the essence of coastal cooking. Let the liquid simmer and reduce, developing deep, complex flavors.

  • Final Symphony

Return the perfectly cooked shrimp to the skillet, coating them luxuriously in the wine-garlic sauce. Optional red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick. Allow everything to mingle and warm through, creating a harmonious dish.

  • Elegant Presentation

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley over the shrimp. Serve immediately alongside your favorite pasta, fluffy rice, or crusty bread to soak up the incredible sauce.

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Tips To Try

  • Shrimp Scampi Secrets: Pro Tips and Delicious Twists
  • Perfect Shrimp Technique: Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent watery texture. Moisture is the enemy of crispy, delectable shrimp.
  • Wine Selection Wisdom: Choose a crisp, dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for the most vibrant flavor. Avoid sweet wines that can make the sauce cloyingly rich.
  • Low-Carb Magic: Transform this dish into a keto-friendly meal by serving over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta. Keeps all the incredible flavor without the extra carbohydrates.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with olive oil and skip the Parmesan cheese for a completely dairy-free version that's equally delicious. Nutritional yeast can add a similar cheesy flavor profile for those avoiding dairy.

Ways To Serve Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

  • Coastal Comfort Plating: Nestle the shrimp scampi over a bed of buttery linguine for a classic Mediterranean-style presentation that captures seaside dining elegance.
  • Zesty Bread Companion: Serve with toasted garlic crostini or warm crusty sourdough bread to soak up the delicious white wine and garlic sauce, transforming each bite into a flavor-packed experience.
  • Fresh Salad Pairing: Create a light lemon-herb mixed green salad with crisp cucumber and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, buttery shrimp scampi and provide a refreshing contrast on the plate.
  • Wine Country Side: Select a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the dish's lemony, garlicky notes and enhance the overall dining experience with a sophisticated touch.

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Storage Steps

  • Quick Cooling Strategy: Let the shrimp scampi cool completely at room temperature within 2 hours after cooking to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal taste quality.
  • Refrigeration Technique: Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Separate the shrimp from any pasta or rice to prevent soggy textures.
  • Reheating Method: Gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of white wine or butter to restore moisture and prevent rubbery texture. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain delicate seafood quality.
  • Freezing Approach: While not ideal, you can freeze the sauce separately for up to 1 month. Freeze in small portions using freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
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Succulent Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Succulent Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe


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4.9 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Red Lobster shrimp scampi recipe brings classic seafood elegance to home kitchens with restaurant-quality flavors. Succulent shrimp swim in a delicate garlic butter sauce you can easily recreate for a memorable dining experience.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) white wine (or chicken broth for non-alcoholic option)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate natural flavors.
  2. Sautéing Foundation: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a golden cooking base for the shrimp to develop rich caramelization.
  3. Shrimp Cooking: Arrange shrimp in a single layer, cooking until pink and slightly crisp, approximately 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, preserving their delicate texture.
  4. Sauce Development: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Deglaze with white wine and lemon juice, skillfully scraping the pan’s caramelized remnants to incorporate deep, complex flavors.
  5. Flavor Infusion: Simmer the sauce to reduce and concentrate its essence, then return shrimp to the skillet. Optional red pepper flakes can be added for a subtle heat, allowing ingredients to meld together for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Final Touches: Remove from heat, generously garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley to enhance visual appeal and aromatic profile.
  7. Serving: Plate immediately over warm pasta, fluffy rice, or accompanied by crusty artisan bread to absorb every nuanced drop of the luxurious sauce.

Notes

  • Maximize Shrimp Texture: Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to prevent steaming and achieve perfect golden-brown sear, creating delightful caramelization and crisp exterior.
  • Prevent Overcooking: Monitor shrimp closely during cooking; they transform from translucent to pink within 1-2 minutes per side, becoming rubbery if cooked too long. Remove immediately once color changes.
  • Balance Sauce Intensity: Adjust wine and lemon quantities to control sauce’s acidity and depth. Less liquid creates richer, more concentrated flavor, while more provides lighter, brighter sauce profile.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap butter with olive oil for lighter version, use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly option, or replace wine with chicken broth for alcohol-free alternative without compromising taste complexity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 300 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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