There’s something so satisfying about recreating your favorite restaurant dish at home—it feels like a little win in the kitchen. And when it comes to iconic dishes, Red Lobster’s shrimp scampi is right up there with the best. That garlicky, buttery goodness clinging to perfectly tender shrimp? Totally irresistible.
The best part? You don’t need to throw on real pants or spend a small fortune to enjoy it. With just a handful of pantry staples, a little patience, and maybe a good glass of white wine (chef’s treat!), you can whip up a dish that’s comforting, classy, and seriously delicious—all from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe (Besides the Obvious)
There are shrimp recipes, and then there’s this. It’s the kind of dish that walks the line between easy weeknight dinner and “Hey, I cooked this fancy thing for you” date night vibes.
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Effortlessly Fancy – It looks like something you’d pay $25 for, but takes less time than scrolling through takeout menus.
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Speedy and Satisfying – Done in 30 minutes flat. Maybe less, if you’re not chasing your toddler out of the kitchen.
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Plays Well with Others – Toss it with pasta, spoon it over rice, or serve with crusty bread. It’s a culinary chameleon.
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Seafood Bliss – If you’re a shrimp fan, this one hits all the right notes—juicy, garlicky, lemony, buttery. It’s the full symphony.
Now let’s break down exactly how you can make it happen.
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Gather Your Ingredients Like a Pro
You don’t need a stocked restaurant kitchen. Just a few quality items can make all the difference. Fresh parsley and grated Parmesan bring the whole thing together—don’t skip those final flourishes.
The Star: Shrimp
Go for medium (31–40 count per pound). They cook quickly and soak up flavor like champs.
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Peel and devein them—trust me, it’s worth it.
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If frozen, thaw them completely before they hit the skillet.
Butter & Olive Oil
A 1:1 combo gives you the richness of butter and the heat-tolerance of olive oil.
No one likes burnt butter.
White Wine or Chicken Broth
Traditionalists go for dry white wine. If you’re not into cooking with alcohol, low-sodium chicken broth does the trick with a similar depth.
Garlic (and Don’t Be Shy)
Use fresh cloves. Four should do it.
Pre-minced stuff in jars? It’s a no from me.
Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed. The bottled stuff just doesn’t sparkle the same way.
Parmesan Cheese
Buy a block and grate it yourself.
Pre-grated cheese often has anti-caking agents that keep it from melting properly.
Italian Seasoning & Fresh Parsley
These aren’t just for looks. Italian seasoning gives a warm, herby balance to the garlic and lemon. Parsley brings it back to life with a fresh, peppery pop.
Let’s Cook – Step-by-Step Magic
Step 1: Sauté the Shrimp
Get your skillet hot (medium-high), pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and add the shrimp in a single layer.
Sear for 2–3 minutes per side until they’re pink and opaque. Set them aside on a plate.
🧠 Quick tip: Shrimp cook fast. Like, “walk away for a second and they’re overdone” fast.
Step 2: Garlic Time
Lower the heat to medium. Add your minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 1–2 minutes. Stir constantly.
This is the part where your kitchen starts smelling like an Italian bistro.
Step 3: Sauce Base
Pour in ½ cup of white wine (or chicken broth) and juice from one lemon.
Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, reducing by half. That reduction? That’s flavor concentration. It’s where the magic happens.
Step 4: Butter Finish
Turn the heat down a bit and stir in 2 tablespoons of butter along with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
The butter smooths everything out, creating that classic scampi richness.
Step 5: Bring the Shrimp Back
Toss your shrimp back into the pan and give them a good stir so they’re well-coated in sauce.
Season with a little salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
Step 6: Top It Off
Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and a handful of grated Parmesan over the top.
Serve immediately—this dish waits for no one.
What to Serve It With? Choices, Choices.
Honestly, this shrimp scampi plays nice with just about everything. But here are a few winning combos:
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Pasta – Linguine, angel hair, fettuccine—anything that catches that buttery sauce.
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Crusty Bread – Garlic bread or even a simple baguette is perfect for mopping up the leftovers.
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Rice – Jasmine, brown, or even wild rice. It’s all good.
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Roasted Veggies – Asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini make it feel lighter, healthier—even when you’re sneaking extra butter.
Leftovers? Here’s How to Handle Them
Shrimp doesn’t reheat well in the microwave—it can go rubbery fast. But don’t worry, you’ve got options:
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Storage – Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat within 2 days.
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Reheat – Use a skillet on low heat with a little broth or butter to bring it back to life. Skip the microwave if you can.
Want to Mix It Up? Try These Variations
Who says you have to stick to the original? Here are a few tasty twists:
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Creamy Scampi – Add ¼ cup of heavy cream with the butter for a richer, velvety version.
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Spicy Scampi – Toss in red pepper flakes with the garlic if you like a little kick.
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Low-Carb Scampi – Swap out pasta for spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash.
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Gluten-Free Friendly – Serve over rice, gluten-free pasta, or even sautéed spinach.
Final Thoughts: Your Kitchen, Your Red Lobster Moment
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling off a meal that feels gourmet, without the gourmet-level stress. Whether you’re cooking for yourself after a long day or impressing friends with your culinary chops, this shrimp scampi brings restaurant flair to your dinner table—with zero reservations required.
Simple, elegant, and bursting with flavor—it’s everything you love about Red Lobster, minus the wait time.
So, next time you’re craving seafood and want something special (but not complicated), grab a skillet, fire up the stove, and treat yourself to a buttery, garlicky, shrimp-laden meal that actually tastes as good as it looks.
And hey, don’t forget the bread.
Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups white wine or chicken broth
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and allow the liquid to reduce by half.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the butter. Once melted, add the Italian seasoning and stir to combine.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
