Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
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This Shrimp Scampi without wine is a classic Italian recipe that’s super easy to make and can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Made with tender and succulent shrimp bathed in a decadent buttery garlic sauce, it’s a simple, yet elegant dish that’s perfect as a main course or served as a hearty appetizer.
When it comes to quick and easy meals, whether for a busy weeknight or for last minute dinner guests, you just can’t go wrong with shrimp recipes. They cook up super-fast, and you can pair with them with just about side dish you like.
Two of our favorite shrimp recipes are Shrimp and Clams over Rice and these Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos. However, once we made this easy and incredibly flavorful this shrimp scampi without wine, it quickly become our new favorite!
Serve it with pasta, vegetables, a simple green salad or these homemade dinner rolls and you’ll have a healthy and hearty dinner that your entire family will love!
Why We Love this Recipe
- It’s wine free. The majority of alcohol in traditional shrimp scampi evaporates as you cook it. However, I still don’t feel comfortable serving it to my kids. The great thing about this recipe is that it has the same delicious taste, just without the wine!
- This is an easy recipe that uses just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have a hand.
- The scampi sauce with this recipe is loaded with incredible flavor, perfect for dipping crusty bread in.
- Great recipe to serve as a heavy appetizer or as an entree over pasta or rice.
Ingredients in this Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Large shrimp peeled and deveined
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves minced
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chicken broth or chicken stock
- Lime juice (you can use fresh lemon juice)
- Salt and black pepper powder
- Fresh Parsley for garnish(optional)
How to Make the Best Shrimp Scampi
Step 1. Season the raw shrimp with salt and pepper.
Step 2. In a heavy bottom large skillet melt butter and add olive oil.
Step 3. Once the butter melts, add garlic, and sauté for a few seconds to a minute, over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant. Be sure to keep an eye on it because garlic burns easily!
Step 4. Next, add fresh shrimp in a single layer.
Step 5. Cook for around 2 minutes on each side or until they just start to turn pink.
Step 6. Pour in broth and add chili flakes and simmer it for about 2-3 minutes or until the broth begins to reduce and the shrimp are cooked through. Don’t walk away at this point because shrimp cook quickly. You don’t want to overcook them because they will be rubbery and chewy.
Step 7. Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp butter and lime juice. Mix and take it off the heat immediately, do not overcook.
Step 8. Add chopped parsley and serve hot immediately with pasta or crusty bread.
How Do I Store Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi is best when it’s eaten immediately after preparing it; however, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat, warm leftovers gently in the microwave on medium heat in 30 second intervals. If reheating on the stove, you only want to reheat them up until they are warmed through.
Freezing cooked shrimp scampi is not recommended.
Shrimp Scampi Sauce Variations and Add-ins
Spices: One of the great things about this sauce is you can easily make it as spicy or as mild as you like by adjusting the amount of red pepper you use. You can also add a dash of hot sauce into the buttery mixture for some added heat.
Toppings: Feel free to experiment with different toppings that make an even more flavorful sauce. Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, buttery bread crumbs all work well with the other ingredients in this recipe. For a pretty presentation, top the scampi off with fresh lime or fresh lemon wedges for a colorful garnish.
Aromatics: Fresh thyme, rosemary and basil add a lot of flavors to any sauce. You can also add lemon zest or lime zest to the sauce or a nice citrus note.
How To Make Your Own Shrimp Broth
If you have a little extra time on your hands, you can make your own shrimp stock using your leftover shrimp shells. Just toss them with a little olive oil and heat them in a frying pan over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes. Cover them with water and bring them to simmer as you mash down on them.
After about 6-8 minutes drain the shells through a fine mesh strainer and you’ll have home shrimp stock. You can use your homemade shrimp stock instead of broth in the scampi sauce.
What Side Dish Can I Serve with Simple Shrimp Scampi?
Pasta: If you’re serving shrimp scampi over pasta, angel hair or linguine pasta are really popular choices. Be sure to only cook the pasta until it’s al dente, which usually takes a couple of minutes less than what’s recommended on the package directions.
Rice: You can serve scampi over a bed of regular white rice, or any of your favorite kinds of rice. The buttery garlic scampi sauce spooned over the top of rice is SO good!
Low carb sides: If you are watching your carb intake, you can serve this with a simple green salad, some grilled veggies, or over a bed of zucchini noodles.
Tips for Buying Shrimp
- When looking at shrimp in the seafood department at the grocery store, try to find domestic, wild caught shrimp. They have a sweeter, fresher flavor than farm raised.
- For thawed shrimp, make sure they have a firm texture and don’t feel slimy. You also don’t want a strong ammonia or fishy smell. That usually means they have been thawed for several days and probably not so fresh.
- Stocking up on frozen shrimp when they are on sale is a great way to make sure you always have some on hand. Just be sure you read the label. Good quality shrimp should only have two ingredients…shrimp and water.
- Look for “easy peel,” shrimp. The shells are split down the back that make peeling them much easier!
- An important thing to remember is gauge the size shrimp you buy based on the way you are preparing them. For instance, this recipe requires the shrimp to simmer in the sauce so large or jumbo shrimp work best. Small shrimp would overcook too easily.
Want More Quick and Easy Shrimp Recipes?
Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season the raw shrimp with salt and pepper.1 pound large shrimp, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- In a heavy bottom large skillet melt butter and add olive oil.4 tablespoons butter, 2 tbsp olive oil
- Once the butter melts, add garlic, and sauté for a few seconds to a minute, over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant. Be sure to keep an eye on it because garlic burns easily!5 garlic cloves
- Next, add fresh shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for around 2 minutes on each side or until they just start to turn pink.
- Pour in broth and add chili flakes and simmer it for about 2-3 minutes or until the broth begins to reduce and the shrimp are cooked through. Don’t walk away at this point because shrimp cook quickly. You don’t want to overcook them because they will be rubbery and chewy.1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes, 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 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 bread.2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Notes
- Shrimp Scampi is best when it’s eaten immediately after preparing it. However, leftovers can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- To reheat, heat leftovers in the microwave on medium heat in 30 second intervals. When reheating on the stove, you only want to reheat until they are warmed through.
Nutrition
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