If you crave that perfect, buttery, garlic-infused shrimp from Red Lobster, you’re in luck! This Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe is unbelievably simple, cooks in under 10 minutes, and delivers all the restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen. It’s the ultimate easy weeknight indulgence.
This recipe features plump jumbo shrimp bathed in a rich, buttery sauce, brightened with lemon and white wine, and finished with a dusting of Parmesan cheese for a quick trip under the broiler.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Rich and savory from the butter and garlic, with a bright acidity from the lemon juice and white wine. It has a slight warmth thanks to the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Textures: Features firm, juicy jumbo shrimp that snap when you bite into them, submerged in a silky, rich sauce.
- Time Commitment: Requires only 5 minutes of active prep time and a quick 7 minutes of cooking time under the broiler. No marinating or lengthy simmering needed!
- Difficulty Level: Very easy. This is a simple, high-heat cooking method that requires careful attention to the broiler but is otherwise beginner-friendly.
What You’ll Need
The magic of this scampi lies in its simplicity. You need high-quality jumbo shrimp, a blend of liquid flavorings (butter, wine, lemon), aromatics (garlic and red pepper flakes), and an oven-safe dish for the quick broil.
Ingredient Notes
- Jumbo Shrimp – Using large shrimp (12 to 16 per pound) is crucial. They stay juicy and don’t overcook quickly under the high heat. Ensure they are peeled and deveined before starting.
- Pinot Grigio – This dry white wine provides a classic scampi flavor base. It adds depth and complexity to the melted butter and lemon juice.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice – Use fresh juice only! It brightens the rich sauce and is a non-negotiable flavor component in any great scampi.
- Melted Butter – This forms the core of the scampi sauce, providing richness and carrying all the garlic and pepper flavors across the shrimp.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – This is responsible for the signature, subtle warmth that makes scampi so addictive. Use just a pinch a little goes a long way!
Add-ins and Substitutions
Want to slightly vary your scampi? Try these additions:
- Herbs: You can add 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano or basil to the sauce mixture before pouring it over the shrimp for an extra herbaceous note.
- Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the sauce mixture for an intensified citrus aroma.
- Non-Alcoholic Substitute: If preferred, you can swap the Pinot Grigio for a low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth to maintain the liquid balance.
How to Make Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
This recipe comes together incredibly fast, so make sure your oven and all your ingredients are ready before you begin.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven’s broiler to a high setting, 500°F (260°C).
- Arrange the Shrimp: Gather all your ingredients. Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a pinwheel fashion (spiraling outward) in an oven-safe dish, such as a glass pie plate.
- Mix the Sauce: Stir the pinot grigio, melted butter, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes together in a cup until combined.
- Pour and Sprinkle: Poor this butter mixture over the shrimp, ensuring they are coated. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the shrimp.
- Broil: Carefully place the dish under the preheated broiler. Broil until the shrimp is completely pink and the tails curl inward, which will take about 7 minutes. Watch the shrimp closely, as broilers can vary widely!
- Serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
Pro Tip: When working with a broiler, keep the oven door slightly ajar and stand guard! Since the cook time is so short (just 7 minutes), it is crucial to stay near the oven to ensure the shrimp and cheese do not burn.
Recipe Tips
- Use Jumbo Shrimp: Avoid using smaller shrimp, as they will cook too quickly under the high heat and end up tough or rubbery.
- Arrange Uniformly: Arranging the shrimp in a pinwheel or a single, even layer ensures they all cook at the same rate and you don’t end up with unevenly cooked pieces.
- High-Quality Garlic: Use fresh garlic and mince it finely. Powdered garlic won’t provide the same pungent, fresh flavor required for classic scampi.
- Do Not Overcook: Once the shrimp turns pink and curls into a C-shape, it is done. Any longer, and the texture will become tough. Stop cooking immediately at the 7-minute mark or when fully pink, whichever comes first.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this with frozen shrimp? A: Yes, but you must thaw the shrimp completely first. Pat them dry with a paper towel before arranging them, as any excess moisture will dilute the sauce.
Q: What type of dish should I use? A: You must use an oven-safe dish, such as a glass pie plate or a small ceramic casserole dish. Since you are using a broiler, ensure the dish is rated for high oven temperatures.
Q: Can I store and reheat leftovers? A: Shrimp is best enjoyed immediately. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) just until warmed through, or the shrimp may become rubbery.
Serving Suggestions
This savory scampi is rich and flavorful on its own but is best served with starches and vegetables to soak up all that incredible butter-garlic sauce.
- Angel Hair or Linguine Pasta: Tossed in the sauce left in the dish.
- Garlic Bread or Crostini: Perfect for mopping up every last drop of the scampi butter.
- Roasted Asparagus or Steamed Broccoli: A simple green side to balance the richness.
- Lemon Rice Pilaf for a lighter alternative to pasta.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Because the cook time is so short, we don’t recommend cooking this in advance. However, you can save significant time by prepping the components:
- The Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator.
- The Sauce: Measure and stir together all the sauce ingredients (pinot grigio, butter, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper flakes) and keep the mixture sealed in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi (Broiled in 7 Minutes)
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
If you crave that perfect, buttery, garlic-infused shrimp from Red Lobster, you’re in luck! This Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe is unbelievably simple, cooks in under 10 minutes, and delivers all the restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen. It’s the ultimate easy weeknight indulgence, featuring plump jumbo shrimp bathed in a rich, buttery sauce, brightened with lemon and white wine.
Ingredients
Main Components
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp (12 to 16 per pound), peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons pinot grigio (or low-sodium chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
For Garnish
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Arrange Shrimp
Preheat the oven’s broiler to a high setting (500°F / 260°C). Place the peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp in an oven-safe dish (like a glass pie plate), arranging them in a single layer or a pinwheel fashion.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
In a cup, stir together the pinot grigio (or broth), melted butter, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, pinch of salt, and pinch of crushed red pepper flakes until fully combined.
Step 3: Pour and Sprinkle
Pour the butter mixture evenly over the arranged shrimp, ensuring they are coated. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese over the top of the shrimp.
Step 4: Broil and Finish
Carefully place the dish under the preheated broiler. Broil until the shrimp is completely pink and the tails curl inward, which will take about 7 minutes. (Pro Tip: Watch the shrimp closely under the broiler to prevent burning.)
Step 5: Serve
Remove the dish from the oven immediately. Sprinkle the scampi with chopped fresh parsley and serve right away with fresh lemon wedges on the side, ideally alongside pasta or garlic bread to soak up the sauce.
Notes
Don’t Overcook: The shrimp is done the moment it turns pink and curls into a gentle C-shape (around 7 minutes). Overcooking will result in a tough, rubbery texture.
Best Side Pairing: Serve this scampi with angel hair or linguine pasta, or pieces of crusty garlic bread, to effectively mop up all the delicious, buttery, garlic-lemon sauce left in the dish.
Prep Components in Advance: To save time, you can peel and devein the shrimp and mix the sauce ingredients (pinot grigio, butter, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper flakes) up to 24 hours ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and broil just before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 149
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 145mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 168mg
Keywords: shrimp scampi, copycat red lobster, easy shrimp recipe, broiled shrimp, garlic butter, weeknight dinner
