How to Make Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Fast

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

If you’ve ever craved a restaurant-quality seafood dish but want to whip it up quickly at home, this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe is your new best friend. Bursting with bold garlic flavor, tender shrimp, and a buttery lemon sauce, it’s a fast, easy, and delicious meal that brings the magic of Red Lobster right to your kitchen table. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this recipe proves that impressive seafood dinners don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Speedy preparation: Ready in under 20 minutes for a quick, satisfying seafood meal.
  • Authentic flavor: Captures that iconic Red Lobster garlicky and buttery taste perfectly.
  • Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh shrimp for ease and freshness.
  • Versatile dish: Serves wonderfully on pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
  • Impressive presentation: Looks elegant but requires minimal effort, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe plays an important role, from enhancing the texture to boosting the bold, buttery flavor. These simple essentials come together to create a harmonious, unforgettable dish with every bite.

  • Large shrimp: Use fresh or thawed large shrimp, peeled and deveined for tender, juicy bites.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter builds the rich, silky sauce that coats every shrimp perfectly.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves finely minced to infuse the dish with that classic, aromatic punch.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright, zesty contrast that balances the richness.
  • White wine or chicken broth: A splash of white wine or broth deglazes the pan and deepens the sauce flavor.
  • Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch to introduce a subtle heat without overpowering anything.
  • Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley adds color and a fresh herbal note for the perfect finish.
  • Salt and pepper: Seasoning to enhance all flavors and make each bite pop.
  • Cooked pasta or bread: For serving, choose your favorite to soak up that irresistible sauce.

Variations for Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

This recipe is easy to customize based on what you have or dietary needs, making it perfect for everyone. Feel free to mix and match ingredients or tweak seasonings to make it your own special dish.

  • Spicy kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a fiery boost.
  • Gluten-free option: Serve over gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice.
  • Additional seafood: Mix in scallops, lobster, or crab meat to elevate the seafood experience.
  • Herb variations: Try fresh basil, thyme, or dill instead of parsley for different herbal notes.
  • Dairy-free adaptation: Swap butter with olive oil or a dairy-free spread for a lighter, dairy-free version.
How to Make Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Fast

How to Make Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Prepare Your Shrimp

Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp if they aren’t prepped already. Pat them dry with paper towels for the best sear to develop when cooking.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic in Butter

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add freshly minced garlic. Cook gently until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes, to maximize that rich, aromatic flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the skillet and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side or until they turn pink and are opaque throughout.

Step 4: Deglaze and Add Lemon

Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits for more depth. Let it simmer for a minute to reduce slightly, then stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten the sauce.

Step 5: Finish with Parsley and Serve

Remove from heat and mix in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately over your favorite pasta or with warm crusty bread to soak up every last drop.

Pro Tips for Making Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

  • Use fresh shrimp when possible: It enhances texture and flavor dramatically compared to frozen.
  • Don’t overcook shrimp: Cook just until pink and opaque to keep them juicy, never rubbery.
  • Use fresh lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice lacks the brightness that fresh-squeezed brings.
  • Keep garlic low and slow: Browning garlic will add bitterness, so cook gently for the best savory aroma.
  • Reserve pasta water: Using starchy pasta water can help bind the sauce and pasta together beautifully.

How to Serve Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil, a few lemon wedges on the side, and a little grated Parmesan can add color and extra flavor layers to your presentation.

Side Dishes

Classic sides like steamed asparagus, a mixed green salad, or garlic bread make perfect companions that complement and balance the seafood’s rich flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your shrimp scampi in individual bowls over angel hair pasta, arrange it on toasted baguette slices for an appetizer twist, or plate it with colorful sautéed veggies for a vibrant, balanced meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and flavor.

Freezing

While best fresh, you can freeze shrimp scampi in airtight containers for up to 1 month; however, the texture may be slightly affected upon thawing.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts to avoid overcooking the shrimp, stirring occasionally to warm evenly.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, thawed frozen shrimp work well; just make sure to dry them thoroughly to prevent excess moisture during cooking.

What kind of pasta pairs best with shrimp scampi?

Thin pastas like angel hair or linguine are ideal because they soak up the flavorful sauce without overpowering the delicate shrimp.

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild kick from red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the heat to your preference by adding more or less.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute butter with olive oil or a dairy-free margarine for a delicious dairy-free version.

How do I keep the shrimp from getting rubbery?

Avoid overcooking by removing the shrimp from heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque, which usually takes just 4-5 minutes total.

Final Thoughts

This Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe truly proves that restaurant-quality seafood is achievable in your own kitchen and fast too. With simple ingredients, easy steps, and spectacular flavor, it’s a seafood lover’s dream come true. Give it a try and bring that beloved Red Lobster taste home to impress everyone at your table.

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Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

This Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe delivers a restaurant-quality seafood dish bursting with bold garlic flavor, tender shrimp, and a buttery lemon sauce. Quick and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for family meals or entertaining, offering authentic Red Lobster taste with simple pantry ingredients.

  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Serving

  • Cooked pasta (angel hair or linguine) or crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp if not already done. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure the best sear when cooking.
  2. Sauté Garlic in Butter: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, to develop a rich, aromatic flavor.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: Add shrimp to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque throughout.
  4. Deglaze and Add Lemon: Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer for about a minute to reduce slightly, then stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the sauce.
  5. Finish with Parsley and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately over cooked pasta or with warm crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Notes

  • Use fresh shrimp when possible for better texture and flavor.
  • Do not overcook shrimp; cook just until pink and opaque for juicy bites.
  • Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for brighter flavor.
  • Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness.
  • Reserve some pasta water to help bind the sauce if serving with pasta.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 190 mg

Keywords: shrimp scampi, Red Lobster shrimp scampi, seafood recipe, garlic shrimp, lemon butter shrimp, quick seafood dinner

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