Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe (Without Wine!)
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This delicious Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine recipe features succulent, tender sauteed shrimp with a quick and easy buttery garlic sauce. Serve them over your favorite pasta or rice for a quick weeknight main course or by themself as an easy party appetizer.
Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
Shrimp scampi is one of those recipes that creates a fancy looking dish, but it only requires a few simple ingredients that come together in under 20 minutes from prep to plate!
And if you are garlic lover, the simple, delicious sauce the shrimp are coated with will taste like heaven to you. It’s the perfect answer for a busy weeknight meal but it’s elegant enough to serve guests at a dinner party.
A great thing about this recipe is it’s a wonderful hearty main course when served over pasta or you can serve it over zucchini noodles for a low carb option.
The buttery shrimp are awesome served as an appetizer at holiday parties or other gatherings as well. Other easy shrimp recipes that make cooking a weeknight dinner a breeze are these tasty Cajun Shrimp Tacos and this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe.
Why we love this Shrimp Scampi Recipe Without Wine
- This shrimp scampi recipe is easy to make and the simple garlic butter sauce that coats them will make your taste buds come alive.
- Because this recipe requires super basic steps, it makes an awesome dish for beginner cooks or even for teaching older kids how to cook.
- Versatile recipe that you can easily change up. You can make a wine sauce, a spicy Cajun style sauce or and Italian herb sauce with just a few simple additions.
Recommended Tools to make this Shrimp Scampi Recipe (No Wine)
- Large skillet
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients for this Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
- Fresh shrimp peeled and deveined
- Sea salt or kosher salt
- Black pepper powder
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Fresh garlic cloves minced
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chicken broth (or dry white wine optional)
- Lime juice
- Chopped fresh parsley
How to make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
Season the raw shrimp with a little of the salt and pepper.
Step One: Sauté Garlic
- In a heavy-bottom frying pan over medium heat melt butter and add olive oil, add garlic, and sauté for a few seconds until the garlic is fragrant (30 secs-1 min).
Step Two: Cook Shrimp
- Once the butter melts add shrimps in a single layer and cook for around 2 minutes on each side or until they just start to turn pink.
Step Three: Make the Sauce
- Pour in broth or chicken stock, add red pepper chili flakes, and simmer it for 2-3 minutes until the shrimps are cooked through.
- Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp butter and lime juice. Mix and take it off the heat immediately, do not overcook.
Step Four: Garnish and Serve
- Once the shrimp cooks, add chopped parsley and serve hot immediately with al dente angel hair pasta or linguine pasta or even a slice of toasted crusty bread.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a couple of days.
Tips for making this Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine
- The most important thing is to not overcook the shrimp. When they are overcooked, shrimp become tough and rubbery.
- Though buying fresh shrimp is best, if you have to buy frozen, look on the package at the ingredients. It should just say, “packaged in water” or “shrimp and water.” Just make sure you aren’t buying precooked shrimp.
- You’ll want jumbo shrimp or large shrimp for scampi. Small shrimp cook too fast and requires a whole more work peeling them.
- If you can find them, look for easy-peel shrimp. It really helps the peeling process.
How to Thicken Shrimp Scampi Sauce
To thicken the sauce, simmer it for a few extra minutes over low heat to allow some liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, add a cornstarch slurry or a small amount of butter or heavy cream and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency, stirring occasionally.
Variations and add-ins for Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
- Wine: If you prefer a white wine sauce with shrimp scampi pasta, you will use half broth and half wine. I suggest using a dry wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Butter sauce: This delicious shrimp scampi sauce uses lime juice, but I often swap that out for fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. It makes a flavorful sauce with a lemony kick.
- Toppings: Add a tasty topping to the cooked shrimp. Parmesan cheese, toasted breadcrumbs or pine nuts make great toppings.
- Spices: If you like a little added heat, you can make a spicy shrimp scampi sauce by adding in some hot sauce, a little extra pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Veggies: If you want to add some fresh veggies to your shrimp dish, you can add some sauteed red peppers, sauteed slices mushrooms or onions.
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi pairs wonderfully with pasta like linguine or spaghetti, perfect for soaking up the garlic butter sauce. I love a side of crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up any remaining sauce. Consider serving it with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Storying Shrimp Scampi (No Wine)
Can this Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine be frozen?
Technically, shrimp scampi can be frozen but it’s not the ideal dish to freeze. Shrimp have the tendency to become touch when frozen.
Reheating Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
Absolutely! This makes a great next day lunch. Just reheat it in a pan or in the microwave until it is warmed through.
More Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pickle Chicken
- Homemade Chicken Alfredo
- Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
- Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Fajita Burgers
- Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Pasta Shells
- Beef and Broccoli
- Easy Taco Bake with Crescent Rolls
Shrimp Scampi No Wine FAQs
Don’t throw out your shrimp shells! They are loaded with amazing briny flavor that makes wonderful soups, gumbo and seafood stews. Just gather all those pale pink shells and throw them in a freezer bag. They will stay fresh for several months in the freezer.
To make a tasty seafood stock, you can just add the shells directly out of the freezer into some chicken broth with your favorite seasonings. Bring it to a boil and then turn it down on medium to medium low heat allowing it to simmer for about 30-45 minutes. Strain it before adding to your seafood dish recipes.
Shrimp Scampi Recipe No Wine
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- ¼ cup broth or dry white wine I have used broth
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.1 pound large shrimp, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- In a heavy- bottom pan melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add olive oil, add garlic, and sauté for a few seconds until the garlic is fragrant (30 secs-1 min.)4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons Olive oil, 5 garlic cloves
- Next, add shrimps in a single layer, and cook for around 2 minutes on each side or until they just start to turn pink.
- Pour in broth or white wine, add chili flakes, and simmer it for 2-3 minutes until the wine (if using) reduces to half and the shrimp are cooked through (don't overcook as that might make the shrimp rubbery and chewy).¼ cup broth or dry white wine, ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp butter and lime juice. Mix and take it off the heat immediately, do not overcook.2 Tablespoons lime juice
- Add chopped parsley and serve hot immediately with pasta or crusty bread2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
Nutrition
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