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Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

A quick and flavorful shrimp scampi recipe made with garlic butter and a squeeze of lemon, perfect for weeknights with minimal cleanup. Serve over pasta or toasted bread for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional but highly encouraged
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • Cooked pasta or crusty bread to serve

Method
 

  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear and avoid steaming.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and fragrant.
  3. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until garlic is golden but not burnt.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes per side, or until shrimp turn pink and curl into a 'C' shape.
  5. Turn off the heat. Add lemon juice and chopped parsley, then toss well to coat the shrimp in the butter sauce.
  6. Serve immediately over cooked pasta or spoon onto toasted crusty bread.

Notes

Be careful not to overcook the shrimp—they should be just pink and tender. Doubling the garlic adds even more flavor, and a splash of white wine before cooking the shrimp enhances depth. For best results, serve immediately. Reheating may make shrimp chewy.