Oh, the joys of a quick and delicious meal! Picture this:
a busy weeknight, the clock ticking away, and you’re dreaming of a dinner that feels like a treat. Enter Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi—a dish that dances across your taste buds with buttery, garlicky goodness.
It’s like a mini vacation on a plate, and the best part? You can whip it up in the time it takes to watch a YouTube video about cats or something equally delightful.
Steps
- Warm the olive oil and half of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes on one side until they begin to turn pink, then flip them over.
- Pour in the white wine or broth, and add the red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes until the wine reduces by half and the shrimp are fully cooked.
- Mix in the remaining butter, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
- Serve the shrimp scampi over your choice of rice, pasta, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini noodles.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4-5 large cloves of garlic, minced (or 1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic)
- 1 ¼ pounds large shrimp, peeled with tails on or off
- Salt, to taste
- Cracked pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup dry white wine or broth
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1212kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 116g | Fat: 76g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 32g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1032mg | Sodium: 1104mg | Potassium: 1736mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 1.6g | Vitamin A: 2964IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 428mg | Iron: 4mg
FAQ
- Can I make shrimp scampi without using wine?
- Yes, you can skip the wine entirely or replace it with chicken broth. While chicken broth offers a better taste than fish broth, you can certainly use homemade fish broth if you have it available.
- What type of shrimp is best for shrimp scampi?
- Extra large or jumbo shrimp (or prawns) work wonderfully for this dish as they are plump and juicy. It’s also better to use wild-caught shrimp for superior taste, color, and health benefits compared to farm-raised options.
- What kind of white wine is recommended for shrimp scampi?
- A good quality white wine like Sauvignon Blanc is ideal for this recipe. Other suitable options include Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.
- How can I prevent the butter from burning while cooking shrimp scampi?
- To avoid burning, cook the shrimp in a mixture of both butter and olive oil. If you prefer to use only butter, be aware that it may start to brown during the cooking process, which can still add a nice flavor.
- What are some low-carb serving suggestions for shrimp scampi?
- To keep the dish low-carb, serve the shrimp scampi over zucchini noodles or with steamed cauliflower instead of traditional pasta.
Tips
- Prepare all your ingredients in advance and keep them within easy reach in your kitchen. This dish cooks very quickly, and you want to avoid searching for ingredients while the shrimp is on the stove to prevent overcooking.
- Consider using a mix of butter and oil to cook the shrimp. This combination helps prevent the butter from burning. If you choose to use only butter, be aware that it may brown during cooking, which can add a nutty flavor to the dish.
- Opt for extra large or jumbo shrimp if possible, as they provide a juicy and satisfying texture. Wild-caught shrimp are preferable over farm-raised for their superior flavor, color, and health benefits.
- Use a high-quality white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay for the best flavor. If you prefer to skip the wine, chicken broth makes a great substitute, offering a richer taste than fish broth.
Equipment
- Large pan or skillet – If you don’t have a sufficiently large pan or skillet for cooking the shrimp and sauce together.
- Lemon squeezer – For efficiently extracting lemon juice.
- Garlic press – To easily mince garlic if you prefer not to mince it by hand.
