Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is a copycat recipe of the restaurant’s, and I think this scampi tastes better than theirs!! Perfectly seared shrimp coated in an intoxicating white wine and lemon butter sauce, seasoned with garlic and Old Bay. In just 30 minutes, you can have a 5 star dish that’s even quicker and easier to make than it is to order it off the menu!
The garlic shrimp scampi from Red Lobster™ and warm Cheddar Bay Biscuits are all-time favorites of mine!
If you love seafood, you’re gonna flip for this Red Lobster shrimp recipe.Thankfully, it’s easy to make at home!
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe
No need to go to the restaurant for this seafood spectacular! The whole meal comes together in a single skillet and in only 30 minutes!
Juicy and decadent, it’s an extravagant meal that’s incredibly simple to prepare!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Extra Large Shrimp – And I do mean extra large! If you use a smaller size, keep in mind that the cooking time will vary.
Personally, I keep the tails on for a better presentation, but you can remove them. - Old Bay Seasoning – A Maryland favorite! Spicy in a uniquely earthy way, it pairs tremendously well with seafood of all shapes and sizes.
In a pinch, you can combine paprika and celery salt for a somewhat similar flavor – but it almost can’t be replaced! - Minced Garlic – This is one time when I’m going to say you shouldn’t use garlic powder as a substitute.
You can’t get the fresh flavor and intensity from the dried stuff. - White Wine – If you’d rather not cook with wine, you can substitute with white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or chicken broth.
- Butter and Lemon Juice – These two simple ingredients come together to make the most incredible baked shrimp scampi sauce!
Unsalted butter is best, but if you need to use salted butter, don’t add any that’s called for in the recipe below.
And use freshly squeezed lemon juice -it really makes a difference.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
You can make this garlic shrimp scampi Red Lobster copycat recipe with frozen shrimp. In fact, it’s easier and less expensive than using fresh seafood!
If you’re thawing just before you cook the dish, place the frozen seafood in a large bowl of cold water.
Use a spoon to break the shrimps apart, and they’ll be good to go in just 15 minutes.
Another option is to put the frozen shrimps in the fridge the night before, letting them thaw on their own.
Either way you do it, be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the skillet.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Keep any leftover garlic shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the fridge. Shrimp doesn’t last very long at all, so you’ll need to enjoy this dish within 3 days.
It’s best to reheat in a skillet on the stovetop, along with the sauce and seasonings. I also like to sprinkle on just a bit more parmesan cheese after reheating the dish.
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe FAQ
It’s super simple, yet unbelievably delicious! All you need is white wine, lemon juice, and butter for the base. As for the seasonings, it’s all about the Old Bay and garlic!
Follow the recipe before adding salt and pepper to taste.
The best white wine for cooking seafood, in my opinion, is Pinot Grigio. But, really, any white wine will do. Something dry and zesty will go best with the sauce!
Some other popular choices are Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Not long at all! This particular Red Lobster shrimp scampi recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, with just 15 minutes of actual frying involved. Shrimp cooks fairly quickly, so you need to pay attention the whole time to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Scrumptious Shrimp Dinners
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups white wine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed (1 lemon)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
Optional Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season both sides of the shrimp with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes. Use tongs to flip shrimp over and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine and lemon juice, scraping up the bits in the pan with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the butter and remaining 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning. Cook until the butter melts into the sauce.
- Add the shrimp back to the skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- If desired, garnish with chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Donna’s Notes
The day of: Place the frozen shrimp into a large bowl and fill with cold water. Stir to break the frozen shrimp apart. The shrimp will be thawed in 10-15 minutes. Place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator the night before. Shrimp will thaw by morning. I like to keep the tails on for presentation but you can remove them before you cook the shrimp if you prefer. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2022
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
I definitely agree that this Shrimp Scampi is much better than Red Lobsters! I loved it, and it was cheaper than going to a restaurant.