Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe: A Red Lobster Favorite

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of the sea with this renowned recipe for Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi. Imagine plump, succulent shrimp bathed in a luxurious garlic-butter wine sauce that’s both sophisticated and comforting. This dish effortlessly brings the elegance of a restaurant meal to your home kitchen, promising a delightful dining experience in under 20 minutes.

Crafted with simple yet premium ingredients like fresh garlic, Chardonnay wine, and zesty lemon juice, this Red Lobster-inspired shrimp scampi captures the essence of fine dining with its velvety texture and rich flavors. Whether you’re seeking a quick weeknight dinner or aiming to impress guests, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between ease of preparation and gourmet indulgence.

Elevate your culinary skills and treat your taste buds to a symphony of flavors with this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi. From the first sizzle in the pan to the last savory bite, this dish promises to be a memorable feast that will have your loved ones asking for seconds. So, grab your skillet and get ready to create a dining experience that rivals your favorite seafood restaurant, right in the heart of your own home.

Quick Benefits

• Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish
• Uses simple ingredients that create restaurant-quality flavor
• Perfect balance of garlic, butter, and wine creates an irresistible sauce
• No special equipment needed, just a good skillet

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe: A Red Lobster Favorite Recipe

• Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight or a last-minute dinner plan.
• Simple Ingredients, Bold Flavors: With basic pantry staples, you can create a restaurant-quality dish bursting with garlic, butter, and wine flavors.
• Versatile and Customizable: Easily adaptable to suit your taste preferences – add heat with red pepper flakes, freshness with diced tomatoes, or richness with a splash of cream.
• Impressive for Entertaining: Ideal for a romantic dinner or hosting guests, this dish will make you the star of the evening with its elegant presentation and sophisticated taste.
• Perfectly Balanced Sauce: The combination of garlic, butter, white wine, and lemon juice creates a velvety sauce that complements the succulent shrimp beautifully.
• Authentic and Craveable: Recreates the signature Red Lobster shrimp scampi experience in your own kitchen, providing a taste of your favorite restaurant dish at home.
• Cooking Tips: Helpful pointers like bringing shrimp to room temperature, patting them dry for better browning, and scraping up browned bits for added flavor ensure a successful cooking experience.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: While best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the sauce in advance and reheat gently before combining with the shrimp for a stress-free meal prep option.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe: A Red Lobster Favorite

• Juice of ½ fresh lemon
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon pure olive oil
• 1 ½ cups white wine (Chardonnay works well)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• ½ cup softened butter

Pro Tips for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe: A Red Lobster Favorite

Pro Tips:

To ensure even cooking, bring the shrimp to room temperature before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels to help achieve a nice browning when added to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits when deglazing with the white wine for added depth of flavor.

For a fresh and vibrant taste, opt for fresh lemon juice over bottled lemon juice. The brightness of fresh lemon juice complements the dish perfectly and enhances the overall flavor profile. Additionally, while Chardonnay is recommended, you can substitute it with a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for a slightly different but equally delicious result.

For a dairy-free version of this dish, you can easily swap the butter with a vegan butter alternative and omit the Parmesan cheese. This modification allows those with dietary restrictions to enjoy the rich and flavorful shrimp scampi without compromising on taste.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe: A Red Lobster Favorite

Step 1: Step 01

Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, then add olive oil. Cook shrimp until tender and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Step 02

Reduce heat to medium in the skillet, then add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to brown it.

Step 3: Step 03

Increase heat, add white wine and lemon juice, simmer until wine is reduced by half.

Step 4: Step 04

Once the wine has evaporated, mix in the Italian seasoning.

Step 5: Step 05

Lower the heat to low and stir in the butter until fully incorporated, being careful to prevent it from separating.

Step 6: Step 06

Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet, along with parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the shrimp evenly with the sauce.

Step 7: Step 07

Before serving, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the shrimp.

Storage Tips

After cooking the Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi, it is best enjoyed immediately to savor the perfectly emulsified sauce. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Be aware that the butter in the dish may solidify when chilled. To reheat, gently warm the shrimp scampi over low heat or in the microwave at 50% power. To refresh the sauce, add a small splash of white wine or lemon juice along with a pat of butter while reheating.

For longer storage, it is not recommended to freeze the Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi as both the texture of the shrimp and the sauce may suffer upon thawing. To maintain the quality of this dish, it is advisable to enjoy it fresh or within the suggested refrigeration window. By following these storage tips, you can continue to relish the flavors of this restaurant-quality shrimp scampi even after the initial serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

For the Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe, there are a few ingredient substitutions you can make based on personal preferences or dietary needs. If you don’t have Chardonnay on hand, you can use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio as a substitute. Just avoid sweet wines to maintain the dish’s balance. Additionally, while bottled lemon juice can be used in place of fresh lemon juice, the fresh juice will provide a brighter, fresher flavor to the dish.

If you need to make this dish dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and omit the Parmesan cheese. This adjustment will still create a flavorful sauce, though it will have a slightly different taste and texture. Remember to adjust seasonings to taste as needed. Making these simple swaps allows you to enjoy a delicious shrimp scampi that suits your dietary preferences or ingredient availability without compromising on flavor.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving suggestion, try plating this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi on a bed of creamy Parmesan risotto. The luscious shrimp and buttery garlic sauce will perfectly complement the rich and velvety risotto, creating a luxurious and satisfying meal that is sure to impress your guests.

Another fun idea is to serve the shrimp scampi in individual baked pastry shells, transforming it into elegant shrimp scampi vol-au-vents. The buttery, garlicky shrimp nestled in a flaky pastry shell adds a delightful twist to this classic dish, making it a perfect appetizer or main course for a special dinner party.

FAQs for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe: A Red Lobster Favorite

Can I use a different type of wine instead of Chardonnay?

Yes, you can substitute Chardonnay with a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Avoid using sweet wines to maintain the balance of flavors in the dish.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?

While bottled lemon juice can be used as a substitute, fresh lemon juice will provide a brighter and fresher flavor to the dish. If fresh lemons are not available, bottled lemon juice can be used as an alternative.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce a few hours ahead of time and reheat it gently before combining it with the shrimp. This can help save time when you are ready to cook the shrimp.

How can I make a dairy-free version of this dish?

You can replace the butter with a vegan butter alternative and omit the Parmesan cheese to make a dairy-free version of the famous Red Lobster shrimp scampi. This modification will allow you to enjoy the dish without dairy products.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe is a true showstopper that brings the flavors of a restaurant-quality dish right to your own dining table. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a meal that is both elegant and comforting, perfect for any occasion from a romantic dinner to entertaining guests.

So, next time you’re craving a taste of the sea combined with the richness of garlic, butter, and white wine, remember this recipe. Impress your loved ones with this delectable dish that promises to delight their taste buds and make them feel like they’re dining at a high-end seafood restaurant. Treat yourself and your guests to the irresistible flavors of this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi – it’s a culinary experience you won’t soon forget.