Easy 5-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe for Perfect Dinner
A quick and simple shrimp scampi recipe using just five ingredients that delivers rich garlic butter flavor and tender shrimp, perfect for a fast and impressive dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count per pound)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse about 1 pound of large shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When melted and starting to foam, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes on one side until they start turning pink and edges curl slightly, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and pink all over.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently to coat shrimp in the sauce.
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Optionally garnish with extra parsley and a lemon wedge.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice for best flavor. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water or more lemon juice to loosen. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 pound shri
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, seafood dinner, garlic butter sauce