Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe
This Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe delivers a succulent seafood dish featuring extra-large shrimp sautéed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with hints of lemon and Old Bay seasoning. Perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with pasta or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Shrimp
- 1 lb extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning (divided)
Scampi Sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1½ cups white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
To Serve
- Season Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning for a balanced flavor foundation.
- Heat Olive Oil: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook Shrimp: Add shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook approximately 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink, curl up, and are cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté Garlic: Using the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant and slightly golden, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the white wine and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, infusing the sauce with rich flavor.
- Reduce Sauce: Bring the liquid to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to reduce the sauce and concentrate the flavors.
- Add Butter and Seasoning: Cut the room-temperature butter into chunks and add it to the skillet along with the remaining 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning. Stir continuously until the butter fully melts, creating a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing them gently in the sauce to coat thoroughly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed for seasoning balance.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp and serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- White wine can be substituted with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
- Room temperature butter helps the sauce emulsify better and creates a smoother texture.
- Serve shrimp scampi with linguine or angel hair pasta for a classic presentation.
- To enhance flavor, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to keep them tender and juicy.
Keywords: Shrimp Scampi, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Red Lobster Copycat, Seafood Dinner, Easy Shrimp Recipe, Lemon Garlic Shrimp