Are you looking for shrimp scampi recipes? Easy delicious shrimp scampi recipes are what I've collected here for you.
Shrimp scampi is one of those dishes that sounds like it's probably complicated. But it is just shrimp cooked in garlic and butter that's both fancy enough for company and easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
A great easy dinner that's both delicious and impressive, it's one of those easy shrimp dishes you've probably ordered out in restaurants, but never made at home.
You'll be amazed at how quick and easy it is.
And since it's always nice to have choices, I've included five easy shrimp scampi recipes here, so you can find one that's perfect for you. I've even got a shrimp scampi for two, for four and for six - so you are covered no matter how many you're cooking for, along with a recipe for Greek-Style scampi with tomatoes and feta cheese and Ina Garten's (Barefoot Contessa) Baked Shrimp Scampi.
One key to successful shrimp scampi is the size of your shrimp. Although you can make shrimp scampi with medium sized shrimp, with this quick easy shrimp dish, bigger really is better!
Cooking Notes about Shrimp
There are several kinds of shrimp available all year round. Most come frozen or previously frozen, unless you are lucky enough to live along the coast where they are caught. Shrimp are available both raw in the shell, or raw shelled and deveined. They are also available cooked in the shell and cooked shelled and deveined.
They also come in a variety of sizes from very small to jumbo and are categorized by the number of shrimp per pound. The fewer shrimp per pound, the larger the shrimp.
You want raw uncooked large shrimp for scampi.
Did you know that prawns, are not just large shrimp? They are a bright pink European species that the Italians call, scampii. (So scampi now means both a species of shrimp, as well as a way of preparing it.)
When buying shrimp, check to make sure they are still firm to the touch and have to offensive ammonia smell. They should smell sweet.
To Peel Shrimp
Hold the shrimp between your thumb and forefinger and with the other had pull off the feelers and then the entire shell. Remove the tail end with your fingers. Use a small sharp knife to make a shallow cut along the back (outer curved side) of the shrimp to expose the dark vein. While holding the shrimp under running water, scrape away and discard the vein. Place the shrimp on paper towels and pat dry before using.
To Butterfly Shrimp
Many recipes call for shrimp to be "butterflied." This means that you cut them around the outer curve so that you can open them like a book. They key is to cut each shrimp deep enough that you can open it, but not so deep you end up cutting it in half.
Shrimp Scampi Sauce
If you have ever wondered how to make shrimp scampi sauce, you'll be happy to know that there is no one way. At its most pure and simple, shrimp scampi sauce is simply a combination of olive oil and garlic, used to marinate and then baste the shrimp as they are broiled.
Other shrimp scampi sauce recipes include optional additions such as wine, vermouth, green onions, butter, lemon juice and sometimes even grated cheese (something the Italians would never do but that I think taste's incredible.)
The best thing to do is find an easy shrimp scampi recipe and then adjust it to suit your tastes. You can serve it with good bread for mopping up the sauce or over rice or pasta.
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Simple Shrimp Scampi Recipe
This is the classic preparation - shrimp that have been marinated in olive oil and garlic and then are basted with the marinade as they are broiled.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Yield: 2 generous servings
Ingredients
1 pound raw jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
¾ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons dry vermouth (optional)
2 tablespoons, minced fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place them in a small shallow bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour the mixture over the shrimp. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours in the refrigerator, turning every once in a while to make sure they marinate evenly.
When ready to serve, preheat the broiler and position an oven rack 6 inches away from the heat. Place the shrimp on a foil lined broiler pan and brush generously with the marinade. Broil 5 to 6-inches from the heat, 3 minutes on each side, basting often with the marinade.
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Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Another great easy shrimp scampi with just a few more ingredients that add a bit of fresh bright flavor and a lot less oil making it a healthy shrimp scampi recipe.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
2 green onions, finely chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
1-¼ pounds large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
Lemon wedges for serving
Preparation
About 20 minutes before serving, preheat the broiler. In a foil lined broiler pan, combine the scallions, garlic, parsley, butter, oil, lemon juice and salt. Place the shrimp in the pan, turning to coat with the mixture on all sides. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the pan. Broil, about 5 to 6 inches away from the heat, turning once, until the shrimp are opaque and curled, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve with the pan juices and garnish with lemon wedges.
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Shrimp Scampi Recipe Made Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
This easy shrimp scampi is sauteed in a pan instead of broiled and designed to serve 6. Serve it over a bed of hot fettucini or angel hair pasta and sprinkle with parsley or simply with good bread for mopping up the sauce.
Ingredients
1-½ pounds uncooked, medium shrimp, thawed if frozen, peeled and deveined and tails removed and patted dry with paper towels.
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
2 medium green onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese, if desired
Preparation
In a 10 inch skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and remaining ingredients, except cheese, and cook stirring often, until the shrimp are firm and pink, about 2 to 4 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with cheese if desired.
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Greek Style Shrimp Scampi
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
This variation of shrimp scampi is made with chopped canned tomatoes and feta cheese and is baked in the oven, making it another great choice for an easy dinner. Serve it over rice or with a simple green salad and crusty French bread.
Ingredients
2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1-½ pounds medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place the tomatoes in a large baking dish. Spoon the olive oil and garlic over the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove baking dish from the oven and stir in the shrimp, parsley and lemon juice, being sure to snuggle the shrimp down into the hot tomatoes. Sprinkle with the feta cheese and place back in the oven and bake until the shrimp are pink and cooked, another 10 to 15 minutes, depending on their size.
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Ina Garten's Baked Shrimp Scampi
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
I love Ina Garten's approach to cooking and entertaining. In her book, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, she explains that she's always looking for dishes that can be prepared ahead and then baked right before dinner like this one for a variation of shrimp scampi that is baked and has a crunchy crust.
Although, I'm not the kind of cook who would want to prepare Ina Garten recipes everyday, I can always count on them when I want a special dinner for family and friends. Of all the more fancy and/or Food Network recipes I try, hers always seem to consistently receive the most compliments.
The recipe calls for panko (Japanese bread crumbs), which is becoming increasingly more available in grocery stores. You will usually find them either with the bread crumbs or in the Asian section. If you can't find them, use coarse dry bread crumbs or cracker crumbs instead.
Ingredients
2 pounds (12 to 15 per pound) raw shrimp, thawed if frozen
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons dry white wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¾ cup (12 tablespoons) butter, softened
4 teaspoons garlic (4 cloves)
¼ cup minced shallots
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 extra-large egg yolk
⅔ cup panko Japanese bread crumbs
Lemon wedges, for serving
Recipe Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Peel, devein and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on.
Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl. Add the the olive oil, wine, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss gently to coat the shrimp and then allow them to sit at room temperature while you make the butter and panko crumb mixture.
Place the butter in a small bowl (affiliate link) along with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko crumbs, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mash everything together until well combined.
Arrange the shrimp in a 14-inch oval baking dish, placing them at the outer edge of the dish cut side down with the tails curling up and toward the center of the dish. Pour any of the olive oil/wine marinade remaining in the bowl over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the shrimp.
Bake until hot and bubbly, 10 to 12 minutes. If you want the top browned, place the dish under the broiler for 1 minute. Serve with lemon wedges.
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More Shrimp Scampi Recipes from Around the Web
Elise from Simply Recipes Shrimp Scampi
Martha Stewart Recipe for Shrimp Scampi with video
The Best Shrimp Scampi from Allrecipes
More Easy Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Pasta Recipes Easy & Delicious - a great collection of favorite easy shrimp pasta recipes including spicy shrimp and linguini and easy Alfredo shrimp primavera
Shrimp Salad Recipes Easy & Delicious - several favorite ways to make shrimp salad
Healthy Shrimp Recipes - several easy healthy recipes with shrimp including a simple shrimp stir-fry, easy shrimp creole and garlic shrimp and spinach
How to Make Shrimp Cocktail - along with several great recipes for homemade cocktail sauces
Shrimp Creole Recipe Easy & Delicious - a great easy shrimp recipe with the flavors of Louisiana
Favorite Shrimp Soup Recipes - a collection of recipes for shrimp soup including spicy crab shrimp soup, gumbo and simple Maine shrimp stew
Easy Shrimp Casserole Recipes - a collection of shrimp casseroles that are easy and delicious
Easy Shrimp Jambalaya Recipe - easy shrimp and rice perfect when you want an easy one dish dinner idea with shrimp
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