This iconic dish captures the essence of Red Lobster’s beloved shrimp scampi—succulent shrimp bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce, accented with white wine and lemon juice. It’s a restaurant favorite that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home, delivering bold, buttery flavor in under 30 minutes.
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups white wine (e.g., Chardonnay)
Juice of ½ lemon
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1️⃣ Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
2️⃣ In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
3️⃣ Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, stirring to deglaze the pan and scrape up any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5–7 minutes until the sauce reduces by half.
4️⃣ Stir in the Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5️⃣ Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing to coat them in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to heat through.
6️⃣ Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if using. Serve immediately over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the white wine with chicken broth and a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
Be cautious not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery.
This dish pairs well with linguine, angel hair pasta, or a side of steamed vegetables.
Find it online: https://richspoon.com/classic-red-lobster-shrimp-scampi/