Red Lobster’s Shrimp Scampi is a classic seafood dish that’s incredibly easy to make at home. You have my word!
For this you gotta make sure to use fresh shrimp and a generous amount of garlic.
I always sauté the garlic in a mix of butter and olive oil for a rich, flavorful base.
I like to finish the dish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a handful of chopped parsley.
This shrimp scampi is sooo good served over linguine or with a side of garlic bread.
I love how this dish combines the richness of butter and garlic with the brightness of lemon and herbs.
How to Make Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup White Wine
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat.
Add butter to the skillet and let it melt.
Step 2:
Add minced garlic to the melted butter.
Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
You don’t want it to brown too much!
Step 3:
Place the shrimp in the skillet.
Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
Step 4:
Pour in the white wine and chicken broth.
Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully with the shrimp.
Step 5:
Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning if needed.
Let the sauce cook for another minute before removing from heat.
Serve with pasta or your favorite side dish.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Recipe
Choosing the Shrimp
Use fresh or frozen jumbo shrimp for this dish, as they provide a meatier and more satisfying texture.
Garlic and Butter Ratio
Balance garlic with butter to avoid overpowering the shrimp, maintaining a harmonious flavor profile.
Wine Selection
A crisp, dry white wine complements this dish best, adding complexity without overwhelming the other flavors.
Sauce Consistency
Maintain looseness in the sauce by not over-reducing it, ensuring it coats the shrimp and pasta perfectly.
Customizing the Spice
Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference, or omit them entirely if you prefer a milder version.
What to Serve with Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
Linguine or Angel Hair Pasta
You can never go wrong with serving shrimp scampi over a bed of linguine or angel hair pasta.
These thin noodles soak up the buttery sauce perfectly, adding a satisfying texture to every bite.
The pasta also helps balance the flavors of the shrimp, garlic, and lemon sauce.
Crusty Bread
A loaf of crusty bread is always a fantastic choice to serve alongside shrimp scampi.
You can use the bread to soak up the delicious sauce, making sure not a drop is left behind!
Freshly baked baguette or ciabatta would work wonders here.
Quinoa-Free Vegetable Medley
A mixed vegetable medley provides a fresh and healthy side dish for shrimp scampi.
Opt for lightly sautéed asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers for added color and crunch.
This non-traditional option offers a vibrant twist to your meal.
Roasted Potatoes
Roasted baby potatoes offer a comforting side that blends beautifully with the rich flavors of shrimp scampi.
The crispy, golden exterior of the potatoes makes for a satisfying bite.
Season them with herbs like rosemary or thyme for an aromatic addition.
Mango Avocado Salad
Introduce a bit of tropical flair with a mango and avocado salad.
Combining sweet and creamy flavors delivers contrast against the savory shrimp and garlic.
Add a sprinkle of lime juice and cilantro for an extra burst of freshness.
Variations and Substitutions
Wine Choices
You can swap white cooking wine for chicken broth if you’re skipping alcohol or want a milder taste.
A dry sherry or vermouth also adds a unique flavor twist.
Texture Changes
A creamy version is easy—just add a splash of heavy cream to the sauce.
This creates a rich and decadent texture that’s hard to resist!
Adding Spice
If you enjoy some heat in your dishes, a pinch of red pepper flakes does the trick.
This little addition can transform the flavor profile with almost no effort.
Alternative Servings
Serving shrimp scampi over orzo pasta or polenta makes for a heartier dish.
Orzo offers a rice-like texture, while polenta provides a warm, comforting base.
Surf & Turf
For those who like to indulge, mix some lobster meat with the shrimp.
There’s an elegance in the combined taste, turning it into a seafood feast.
How to Store Leftover Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
When you’ve got leftover Red Lobster shrimp scampi, it’s crucial to keep that flavor fresh and vibrant!
Let the shrimp scampi cool completely before thinking about storage.
This prevents mushy textures when you reheat it later.
Use of Airtight Containers
Always use an airtight container to store your leftover shrimp scampi.
This locks in the delicious flavors instead of letting them escape out into the fridge.
Make sure the container is clean and dry before adding the scampi to it.
Refrigeration Tips
Pop the tightly sealed container into the refrigerator.
You can safely store your shrimp scampi there for up to two days.
Beyond that, the quality may start to diminish slowly, which is not ideal for a dish like this.
Avoid Plastic Wrap
Don’t rely on plastic wrap for storing.
It doesn’t seal as effectively as an airtight container.
Leaking air can affect the texture and taste negatively, which is why using a proper container is always better.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking the Shrimp
One of the biggest mistakes you might make is overcooking the shrimp in your scampi.
Shrimp cooks very quickly, and overcooking it can lead to a rubbery texture that nobody wants.
Watch them carefully, and as soon as they turn pink and opaque, take them off the heat!
Skimping on the Garlic
You might be tempted to reduce the amount of garlic in your scampi dish, but resist this urge.
Garlic is an essential component that provides much of the flavor in shrimp scampi.
If you’re worried about the garlic being too strong, you can sauté it gently to mellow the flavor.
Avoiding Fresh Ingredients
Using fresh ingredients such as lemon juice and parsley really elevates the final dish.
Sometimes using bottled lemon juice or dried parsley might seem easier, but the taste just isn’t the same.
Take the time to chop fresh herbs and squeeze real lemons for a truly authentic flavor!

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 cup White Wine
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add butter to the skillet and let it melt.
- Add minced garlic to the melted butter.
- Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- You don’t want it to brown too much!
- Place the shrimp in the skillet.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
- Pour in the white wine and chicken broth.
- Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully with the shrimp.
- Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Let the sauce cook for another minute before removing from heat.
- Serve with pasta or your favorite side dish.
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