Irresistible Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe at Home

Whipping up a delectable shrimp scampi that rivals red lobster’s legendary dish isn’t just cooking, it’s culinary magic.

Succulent shrimp dance in a buttery, garlicky sauce that promises restaurant-quality flavor right from your kitchen.

Garlic, white wine, and fresh herbs create an aromatic symphony that’ll make you feel like a professional chef.

Butter melts into a silky liquid gold, coating each plump shrimp with incredible richness.

Zesty lemon brightens the entire ensemble, cutting through the richness with a crisp, vibrant note.

Simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary, making this recipe your new weekend favorite.

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Highlights

• Master Cooking Skill: Perfect for home chefs wanting to recreate restaurant-quality seafood without complex techniques. Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe approachable for cooks of all levels.
• Quick Flavor Explosion: Transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet dish within minutes. The combination of garlic, white wine, and lemon creates a vibrant sauce that elevates ordinary shrimp into something spectacular.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for intimate dinners, family gatherings, or casual weekend meals. Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread, making it adaptable to different dining preferences and occasions.

Ingredients Behind Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Shrimp: Fresh and succulent seafood that provides the main protein for this classic dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Cooking fats that create a rich base and enhance the overall flavor of the scampi.
• White Cooking Wine, Lemon Juice: Liquid ingredients that add brightness and depth to the sauce.

• Garlic, Italian Seasoning, Parmesan Cheese, Parsley: Flavor-enhancing ingredients that add complexity and traditional scampi characteristics to the dish.

Bringing Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Together

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss the shrimp into the hot pan, cooking them until they transform into a beautiful pink color and are fully cooked through.

Carefully transfer the shrimp to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Lower the heat and add butter to the same skillet, letting it melt completely.

Drop in the minced garlic and swirl it around, allowing the aromatic magic to happen for about 30 seconds until the kitchen fills with an incredible fragrance.

Step 3: Build the Liquid Magic

Pour in the white cooking wine and fresh lemon juice.

Let the liquid dance and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the volume reduces by half and concentrates all those delicious flavors.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the bubbling sauce.

Gently return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, coating them luxuriously in the sauce. Let everything mingle and warm through for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Final Flourish

Remove the skillet from heat. Shower the shrimp with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

For an extra pop of color and freshness, scatter some chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Tips to Perfect Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Select fresh, large shrimp for the best texture and flavor, ensuring they're deveined and patted dry before cooking to achieve perfect searing.
• Control heat carefully when sautéing garlic to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste and ruin the delicate sauce's balance.
• Use a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for authentic flavor depth, avoiding overly sweet or oakey varieties that might overpower the dish.
• Serve immediately after cooking to maintain optimal shrimp tenderness and sauce consistency, pairing beautifully with crusty bread or over angel hair pasta.
• For a low-carb version, replace pasta with zucchini noodles or serve over cauliflower rice, keeping the classic scampi essence intact.

Flavor Options for Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Gluten-Free Seafood Scampi: Replace white cooking wine with gluten-free chicken broth and use cornstarch instead of traditional flour for thickening. Ensure all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Ocean Alternative: Swap shrimp with king oyster mushrooms or marinated tofu cubes. Use plant-based butter and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for similar umami flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Protein Version: Substitute white wine with extra chicken broth and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Select larger shrimp for more substantial protein content.
• Mediterranean Herb Transformation: Integrate fresh oregano, dill, and mint into the seasoning mix. Add kalamata olives and roasted red pepper chunks for enhanced Mediterranean character.

Pairing Ideas with Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Select a cool, unoaked Chardonnay that complements the buttery garlic sauce, cutting through its richness while enhancing the shrimp's delicate flavor.
• Serve warm, toasted garlic bread to soak up the delectable wine and butter sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast to the tender shrimp.
• Create a light lemon and arugula salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the richness of the scampi, adding a refreshing counterpoint to the dish's intense flavors.

How to Store Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Transfer leftover shrimp scampi to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Place shrimp in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
• Warm the shrimp in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of white wine or butter to restore moisture. Gently stir and heat for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• What wine works best for this recipe?

Dry white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc are perfect for enhancing the shrimp’s delicate flavor without overpowering the dish.

• Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess water and ensure proper searing and browning.

• Is this recipe spicy?

No, this classic shrimp scampi is mild and buttery, featuring garlic and lemon as primary flavor enhancers without adding any heat.

• How do I know when shrimp are fully cooked?

Shrimp turn from translucent gray to bright pink and curl into a “C” shape when they’re perfectly cooked, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side.

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Red lobster shrimp scampi blends tender shrimp with a zesty garlic butter sauce. Succulent prawns swim in white wine and lemon, creating a classic seafood dish that delights diners across America.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 g) shrimp (uncooked, peeled, and deveined)
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups (296 ml) white cooking wine
• 4 tsps minced garlic
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Juice from half a lemon
• Parmesan cheese (grated, as desired for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2-3 minutes.
2. Add shrimp to the hot skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they transform into a vibrant pink color and appear fully opaque.
3. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, keeping them warm.
4. Reduce skillet heat to low and melt butter, creating a smooth, glossy base.
5. Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, stirring continuously for 30 seconds until aromatic and lightly golden.
6. Deglaze the skillet by pouring white cooking wine and lemon juice, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce by half, approximately 3-4 minutes.
7. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly across the developing sauce, distributing flavors thoroughly.
8. Return shrimp to the skillet, gently tossing them in the sauce to ensure complete coverage and reheat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
9. Remove skillet from heat and generously garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Optional: Scatter fresh chopped parsley on top for additional color and herbal brightness before serving immediately.

Notes

• Select large, fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor, ensuring they are deveined and peeled before cooking.
• Control heat carefully when sautéing shrimp to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
• Use dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for authentic flavor depth and balanced acidity.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or using gluten-free breadcrumbs for coating.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 288
• Sugar: 0.3 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg