Red Lobster is widely known for its legendary Cheddar Bay Biscuits, but for many fans, the Shrimp Scampi is the true star of the show. This iconic dish features tender shrimp bathed in a rich, buttery sauce infused with fresh garlic and bright lemon juice. It is sophisticated enough for a date night but simple enough to prepare on a busy weeknight.
This recipe captures the essence of the restaurant version, allowing you to enjoy that signature savory flavor right in your own kitchen. Whether you serve it as a standalone appetizer or toss it with your favorite pasta for a hearty main course, this copycat recipe delivers restaurant quality results every single time.
I can't believe I've had this blog for over 10 years now and I haven't shared a recipe for shrimp scampi with everyone yet.
If you like more Shrimp Recipes please try Skinny Bang Bang Shrimp, One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, Grilled Shrimp Scampi Flat Bread Pizza, or Olive Garden's Baked Tilpia with Shrimp.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple Preparation: You can have this dish on the table in under twenty minutes.
- Restaurant Flavor: It perfectly mimics the buttery, garlicky profile that Red Lobster fans love.
- Versatility: This shrimp works beautifully over pasta, rice, or alongside a crusty loaf of bread.
- High Protein: Shrimp provides a lean protein source that feels indulgent without being overly heavy.
- Minimal Cleanup: The entire sauce and shrimp preparation happen in a single pan.
Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp - You should use peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails removed or left on based on your preference. Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp both work well.
- Olive oil - Look for olive oils that are labeled as extra virgin, cold-pressed, and unfiltered for the highest quality.
- Garlic - You will need several cloves of minced garlic. Fresh garlic is essential here because the jarred version does not provide the same aromatic punch.
- Chicken stock - When purchasing canned diced tomatoes, it is important to read the label and choose a product with no added salt or sugar if you are looking for a healthier option.
- Lemon, Juice only - This adds a nice burst of citrus flavor to the marinade to help enhance the choice of protein. Use freshly squeezed over bottled juice.
- Unsalted butter - This provides the base of the scampi sauce. Using salted butter adds a depth of flavor that complements the seafood.
- See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi
Step 1 Heat cast iron skillet and add olive oil. Add shrimp and cook until tender and no longer translucent, reduce heat. Remove Shrimp and set aside.
Step 2 Add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Do not allow garlic to brown - it will make it bitter. Add chicken stock and lemon juice.
Step 3 Cook until chicken stock is reduced by half. Reduce heat to low, and add butter. If pan is too hot, the butter will separate. Add shrimp back into sauce, add parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serving Size: equally divide into ¼ servings.
Pro Tips for Shrimp Scampi
The Garlic Rule: Always mince your garlic right before cooking. The oils in the garlic are most potent when freshly cut, which is the key to that signature Red Lobster aroma.
Don't Overcrowd: If your skillet is small, cook the shrimp in batches. Overcrowding the pan lowers the temperature and prevents the shrimp from getting a good sear.
Cold Butter Finish: For an extra velvety sauce, whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter right at the end after you have turned off the heat. This creates a glossy emulsion that clings to the shrimp.
Storage
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. When reheating, it is best to use a skillet over low heat. Adding a splash of water or additional butter will help loosen the sauce. Avoid using the microwave if possible, as it tends to overcook the shrimp and make them tough.
Serving Suggestions
To stay true to the Red Lobster experience, serve this scampi with warm cheddar biscuits and a fresh garden salad. If you want a more filling meal, toss the shrimp with cooked linguine or angel hair pasta.
The butter sauce acts as a perfect pasta sauce. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli to keep the meal lower in carbohydrates.
Recipe FAQS
Medium or large shrimp (roughly 21 to 30 count per pound) are ideal for scampi. They are large enough to stay juicy while cooking but small enough to eat in one or two bites.
Fresh parsley is highly recommended for the best flavor and presentation. If you must use dried, use only a third of the amount called for in the recipe.
More Great Recipes to Try:
If you tried this Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
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Red Lobster's Shrimp Scampi
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
No reason to go to Red Lobster when you can make this shrimp scampi dish at home in under 20 minutes. This dish is WW friendly and Low Carb friendly depending on what you serve with it or just eat it as is.
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tsp pure olive oil
- 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
- 1½ cups chicken stock
- ½ fresh lemon, Juice only
- 4 tablespoons of Light Butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat cast iron skillet and add olive oil.
- Add shrimp and cook until tender and no longer translucent, reduce heat. Remove Shrimp and set aside.
- Add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Do not allow garlic to brown - it will make it bitter.
- Add chicken stock and lemon juice.
- Cook until chicken stock is reduced by half.
- Reduce heat to low, and add butter. If pan is too hot, the butter will separate.
- Add shrimp back into sauce, add parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serving Size: equally divide into ¼ servings.
Notes
myWW points
Blue 4; Green 6; Purple 4
Points are calculated with the WW recipe builder app and not using the nutrition info.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: .6
- Sodium: 1345mg
- Fat: 8.4g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7g
- Carbohydrates: 4.6g
- Fiber: .2g
- Protein: 26.6g
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