Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe at Home

Navigating the culinary world of seafood, shrimp scampi from red lobster has captured countless taste buds with its delicate, buttery charm.

Garlic-infused butter dances across succulent shrimp, creating a symphony of flavors that whispers luxury.

Restaurants struggle to replicate this iconic dish, but home cooks can unlock its delicious secrets.

Each bite tells a story of coastal inspiration and refined simplicity.

Restaurant-quality meals emerge from your kitchen with surprising ease and confidence.

Professional chefs might raise an eyebrow at how quickly you’ll master this elegant preparation.

You’ll impress dinner companions and satisfy deep cravings for something remarkably delicious.

Dive into this recipe and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary adventure.

Why Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Feels Like Dining Out

• This shrimp scampi transforms a basic seafood dish into a restaurant-quality experience with minimal cooking skills required.
• From start to finish, this recipe takes just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious but have limited time.
• The combination of garlic, butter, white wine, and Parmesan creates a rich, luxurious sauce that appeals to both adults and kids, ensuring everyone at the table will be satisfied.
• Easily pair this shrimp scampi with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the incredible sauce, making it adaptable for different meal preferences and occasions.

Everything You Need for Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Shrimp: Super sweet seafood star that brings oceanic flavor to the dish, choose large or jumbo for best texture, wild-caught recommended for richer taste.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich cooking base that creates golden color and deep flavor, olive oil for healthy searing, butter for luxurious richness.

• Garlic: Intense aromatic that provides deep savory notes, fresh garlic cloves preferred over pre-minced for stronger taste.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright green color and light herbaceous finish, best when chopped right before serving.

• White Wine, Chicken Broth: Helps create silky sauce base, white wine adds complexity and depth, chicken broth works as non-alcoholic alternative.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element that cuts through richness and adds zesty freshness, fresh squeezed recommended over bottled.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasoning that enhances natural shrimp sweetness, kosher salt preferred for more even distribution.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, umami-rich cheese that creates creamy texture in final sauce, freshly grated provides best melting quality.

How to Cook Restaurant-Style Shrimp Scampi at Home

Step 1: Prepare Seafood Sensation

• Shrimp
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently sprinkle salt and pepper across both sides of the shrimp. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface.

Step 2: Perfectly Sear Seafood

Cook shrimp in the hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until they transform into a beautiful pink color with opaque centers. Transfer the cooked shrimp onto a separate plate, keeping them warm and ready for the next stage.

Step 3: Unleash Garlic Magic

In the same skillet, melt butter and olive oil together. Drop minced garlic into the pan, allowing its aromatic essence to dance and release incredible fragrance for approximately one minute.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Sauce

Pour white wine and fresh lemon juice into the skillet. Swirl and blend the liquids, letting them simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes. Watch the sauce develop a rich, tantalizing consistency.

Step 5: Final Flavor Fusion

• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley

Reintroduce the seared shrimp into the garlicky sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts into a creamy coating. Garnish with chopped parsley for a vibrant finish. Serve immediately while incredibly hot and irresistible.

Expert Tips for Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Success

• Perfectly Sear Shrimp: Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Control Garlic Intensity: Adjust garlic amount based on personal preference, but avoid burning to prevent bitter flavors in the sauce.
• Customize Wine Selection: Choose dry white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for authentic flavor, or use chicken broth for alcohol-free version.
• Enhance Sauce Consistency: Reduce sauce slowly to concentrate flavors and create a silky, luxurious texture that coats the shrimp beautifully.
• Quick Cooking Technique: Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque to maintain tender, juicy texture and prevent rubbery consistency.

How to Store and Reheat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
• Warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or white wine to prevent drying, stirring occasionally until heated through.
• Place shrimp in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, checking to avoid overcooking.
• Toss out any refrigerated seafood that smells off or looks discolored to ensure food safety and prevent potential foodborne illness.

What Complements Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Best

• Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the buttery, lemony scampi sauce with its bright, zesty acidity and light-bodied profile.
• Crusty, toasted garlic bread becomes the ideal companion, soaking up the rich, flavorful sauce and adding delightful texture to the meal.
• Fresh arugula salad dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette echoes the citrus notes in the shrimp scampi while providing a peppery, crisp contrast.
• Creamy, herb-infused risotto creates a luxurious base that absorbs the scampi's garlic butter sauce, elevating the entire dining experience.

Unique Takes on Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Gluten-Free Seafood Scampi: Replace wheat-based ingredients with gluten-free alternatives like tamari sauce instead of wine and use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles for serving.
• Low-Carb Ocean Delight: Swap pasta with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining rich, garlicky flavor profile.
• Vegan Shellfish-Free Version: Substitute shrimp with king oyster mushrooms or hearts of palm, using plant-based butter and nutritional yeast for cheesy notes.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Incorporate fresh oregano, thyme, and roasted red pepper flakes to enhance the traditional scampi sauce with Mediterranean-inspired aromatics.

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi brings coastal elegance to home kitchens with its buttery garlic sauce and tender prawns. Seafood enthusiasts savor this classic dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in simple, irresistible bites you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Seafood Ingredient:

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Dairy and Cheese:

• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine (or chicken broth)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons (8 grams) fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Generously coat shrimp with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both surfaces.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a hot cooking surface.
3. Carefully place seasoned shrimp into the skillet, allowing each side to cook for approximately 1-2 minutes until achieving a vibrant pink color and translucent appearance.
4. Remove perfectly cooked shrimp and transfer to a separate plate, reserving for later integration.
5. Without cleaning the skillet, introduce remaining olive oil and butter, creating a rich cooking medium.
6. Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet, stirring rapidly to prevent burning and releasing its aromatic essence for roughly 60 seconds.
7. Stream white wine and freshly squeezed lemon juice into the pan, whisking ingredients to create a harmonious liquid mixture.
8. Allow sauce to gently simmer, reducing volume and concentrating flavors for 2-3 minutes.
9. Reintroduce cooked shrimp into the skillet, coating each piece thoroughly with the luxurious garlic butter sauce.
10. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a creamy texture.
11. Finish by scattering chopped parsley across the dish for a vibrant garnish and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Select large, deveined shrimp for the most tender and succulent seafood experience.
• Use fresh garlic for a more vibrant and intense flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and prevent steaming.
• Opt for dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to add depth without overpowering the delicate shrimp flavor.
• For a lighter version, replace butter with olive oil and use low-sodium chicken broth instead of wine.
• Keep cooking time short to prevent rubbery shrimp texture – they cook quickly and continue cooking after removal from heat.
• Consider adding red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat that complements the rich garlic butter sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 300 mg