Classic Shrimp Scampi

Article by Emily Saladino

Classic shrimp scampi is one of the most-searched recipes on FoodNetwork.com every summer — even more popular than burgers, according to our records. Whether it’s the simplicity of the dish, how quickly it comes together or how irresistible garlic-buttered shrimp smells and tastes, shrimp scampi is a proven crowd-pleaser. And so, Food Network Kitchen set out to create an easy shrimp scampi recipe that’s loaded with flavor and guaranteed to impress. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Shrimp Scampi?

Classic shrimp scampi is a dish made with garlic, butter, white wine, lemon juice and chopped parsley. The recipe gets its name from "scampi," an Italian word for a type of small, pink crustaceans. In some corners of Europe, scampi are called langoustines. As the story goes, Italian-Americans started to cook with shrimp since it was more widely available in the United States, and this shrimp dish was created soon thereafter.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Like a Pro

The expert recipe developers in Food Network Kitchen share their tips so your classic shrimp scampi turns out perfectly.

Prepare all the ingredients before you start cooking. This easy shrimp recipe comes together quickly, so it’s important to have all your ingredients ready to avoid overcooking any component.

Devein the shrimp. It only takes a few moments to remove the dark-colored tract along shrimps’ backs: All you need is a cutting board and a sharp knife. For step-by-step instructions with photos, check out our article, How to Devein Shrimp.

Add red pepper flakes to taste. If you prefer a milder dish, use only 1/4 teaspoon or an even tinier pinch of red pepper flakes. Otherwise, go for the full 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Either way, that small touch of heat balances the richness of the butter and shrimp.

Cook the shrimp for just a couple minutes. Cook the shrimp until it's just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. It'll look pink but won't yet have curled into a tight "c" shape.

What's a Wine Substitute for Shrimp Scampi?

White wine provides the backbone to shrimp scampi sauce, so our recipe developers prefer to use it. However, if don't want to cook with wine, you can substitute an equal amount of chicken stock or broth. To keep the flavors balanced, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the stock or broth before you add it to the pan.

How to Store Shrimp Scampi

To store shrimp scampi and pasta, let it cool, then put it in a food-safe container in the refrigerator. Cooked shrimp lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge, so plan to eat your leftovers quickly!

To reheat, melt just enough butter to cover the bottom of a sauté pan over medium heat, then lower the heat and add the leftover pasta and shrimp. Cook, tossing often, until heated through, approximately 2 minutes.