This Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi copycat recipe has a rich garlic butter sauce and tender shrimp, making it perfect for both special occasions and weeknight dinners. Serve it with pasta, garlic bread, or a fresh salad for a delicious, restaurant-style meal at home.
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is an elegant dish that's perfect for a dinner party yet simple enough for a weeknight meal, making it a great choice for seafood lovers. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two, a family meal, or just treating yourself, this shrimp scampi recipe is a delicious copycat of Red Lobster's famous version.
Pair it with garlic bread, pasta, or a fresh green salad for a full meal. Or, serve it alongside Cheddar Bay Biscuits and a classic Caesar salad to recreate that restaurant-style experience at home. Perfect for both get togethers and casual meals, this famous Red Lobster shrimp scampi recipe is sure to become one of your favorite dishes.
Ingredients for this Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi copycat recipe
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient mesurements.
- Large Shrimp: is the main ingredient of this dish, so it's super important to choose high-quality, peeled and deveined uncooked shrimp. I recommend using fresh shrimp, but you're welcome to use frozen shrimp—just make sure they're completely thawed and pat dry with paper towels.
- Olive Oil: is used to sauté the shrimp and helps create a flavorful base. It also prevents the shrimp from sticking to the pan.
- Salt and Black Pepper: is used to season your shrimp before cooking to enhance the flavor of the succulent shrimp.
- Old Bay Seasoning: is a classic seafood blend. It adds a savory flavor with a hint of spice, perfect for seafood recipes.
- Unsalted Butter: is key to the perfect sauce, giving it its richness and smooth texture, creating a rich garlic butter sauce.
- Minced Garlic: has a bold flavor. When sautéed, it becomes fragrant and warm, adding depth to the buttery sauce.
- White Wine: adds an acidic flavor that balances out the richness of the butter. It also helps deglaze the pan. If you don't consume alcohol, you can use chicken stock as a substitute.
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes: gives your Shrimp Scampi a bit of heat, which balances out the richness of the butter. Adjust to your spice preference.
- Lemon: added at the end adds brightness to the dish and gives it a refreshing finish.
- Parmesan Cheese: is optional and adds a bit of a salty kick that pairs well with the other rich flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: adds a pop of color and a fresh and herby flavor to the recipe.
How to Make this Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi copycat recipe
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions.
- Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper and the 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until pink and slightly opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to reduce by almost half.
- Whisk in the butter and the 1/2 teaspoon of old bay seasoning until it is emulsified into the sauce.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce, cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and garnish with parsley before serving.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Shrimp Scampi
- Choose the Right Shrimp. Fresh or frozen shrimp can be used, but if you opt for frozen, make sure to let them fully thaw before cooking. Patting the shrimp dry with a paper towel is important to prevent excess moisture.
- Don't Overcook the Shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly, typically in 1-2 minutes per side. Overcooking will make them rubbery, so keep a close eye on them and remove them from the pan as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Deglaze the Pan Properly. After removing the shrimp, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant before pouring in your white wine. I like to use Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. You can also find non-alcohol versions if you prefer. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, as they add a ton of flavor to the sauce.
- Use Fresh Ingredients. Freshly mined garlic, freshly squeezed lemon, and freshly chopped parsley will elevate your dish.
- Serve Immediately. Shrimp Scampi is best enjoyed right after it's made. The sauce thickens and the shrimp will continue to cook if left sitting, so serve it as soon as it's ready.
- Pair It Well. This dish pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. For a lower-carb option, serve with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Why you need to make this copycat red lobster recipe
- You get a meal that tastes almost identical to the original without having to leave the house.
- It's ready in minutes with minimal cooking and prep time.
- When you make it homemade, you can always adjust the flavor by adding basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning.
- It's a very simple recipe that only requires a few ingredients and saves you money.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe?
While pre-cooked shrimp can be used, I don't recommend it. Pre-cooked shrimp can become overcooked and rubbery when reheated. Using raw shrimp allows you to control the cooking process and get the perfect tender shrimp texture.
What can I use instead of white wine?
If you don't want to use white wine, chicken broth is a great substitute. It gives a savory flavor and helps to deglaze the pan. You can also use vegetable broth or any other liquid stock you'd like.
Can I add veggies to this recipe?
Of course! Adding vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus is great to add to the dish and makes it more nutritious. Simply sauté the vegetables in the same pan after cooking the shrimp, then continue with the recipe.
What type of pasta works best with shrimp scampi?
Linguine, spaghetti, and angel hair pasta are classic choices for shrimp scampi. Their thin shape allows them to be well-coated in the sauce. For a gluten-free option, use your favorite gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
How do I store and reheat leftover Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp scampi is best enjoyed when it is fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
Can I freeze shrimp scampi?
I don't recommend freezing shrimp scampi as the texture of the shrimp can become mushy when thawing. However, you can freeze the sauce separately and add freshly cooked shrimp when reheating.
The Best Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Copycat Recipe
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon old bay seasoning divided
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio or chicken broth if you want to omit the wine
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a hint of heat
- juice of one lemon
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional, for garnish
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper and the 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.1 lb large shrimp, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon old bay seasoning, Salt and black pepper
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, just until pink and slightly opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.6 cloves garlic
- Pour in the white wine and red pepper flakes, if using. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to reduce by almost half.1 cup dry white wine, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Whisk in the butter and the 1/2 teaspoon of old bay seasoning until it is emulsified into the sauce.1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce, cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and garnish with parsley before serving.juice of one lemon, 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp fresh parsley
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