This buttery shrimp scampi without wine is so full of flavor, you won't even miss it! It's delicious on its own, with some crusty bread, or over a big bowl of linguine pasta.
This easy shrimp scampi recipe comes together in just 15 minutes total with simple ingredients found at the grocery store. The flavors are light and include parsley, lemon and rich butter, which pair beautifully. Scampi looks and tastes fancy, but without a great deal of effort.
I love easy shrimp recipes for busy weeknights. Like this Instant pot Shrimp with Cajun Butter, or Jerk Shrimp Pasta, or this Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi with angel hair pasta. And this simple shrimp scampi is no exception. It's just like the classic recipe, except this one doesn't use wine. This is perfect for if you don't keep alcohol in the house or are simply out at the moment.
You will see this recipe calls for 10 cloves of garlic. 10 CLOVES. This is not a typo. The garlic adds varied texture and flavor, but since it is lightly sautéed, any bitterness is cooked out.
This shrimp scampi cooks up very quickly, so make sure you have all your ingredients ready to go! I add the parsley right at the end so that it doesn't overcook and it keeps its bright green color!
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil - You'll use the olive oil to sauté the garlic and shrimp.
- Butter - The butter in this recipe gives the creamy lemon sauce its creaminess and really gives it the best flavor. Don't skip the butter.
- Fresh lemon juice - You want to use fresh lemon juice to give this scampi the true tangy kick it deserves.
- Fresh garlic - Fresh garlic cloves will be chopped and mixed with the butter to make the delicious shrimp scampi sauce. Though it seems like a lot of garlic, it's necessary for the beautiful taste.
- Fresh shrimp - Jumbo shrimp or large shrimp with the outer shell removed will give you the best results.
- Chicken stock - Instead of dry white wine that's normally used in shrimp scampi, this recipe uses chicken stock and butter to make the flavorful sauce. If you don't have chicken stock, chicken broth will work. I like to use bone broth made in the slow cooker.
- Fresh parsley - Fresh parsley gives the scampi a fresh flavor and adds a bit of color and decoration.
Variations and Substitutions
You can use chicken broth instead of chicken stock if that's what you have on hand. Or make your own stock using a bouillon cube or powder.
If you like a little spice, you can top the garlic butter shrimp scampi with red pepper flakes at the end.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
Step 1. Peel shrimp (you can leave the tails on. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 2. In a medium-sized skillet, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil. Add in shrimp and cook until they just begin to turn pink.
Step 3. They will need about 2 minutes on each side, so flip after 1-2 minutes. Remove to a plate to the side.
Step 4. Add remaining 1 tbsp. of olive oil. Add in chopped garlic cloves and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 5. Deglaze pan with chicken stock and add butter and lemon juice. Whisk to emulsify sauce. Allow to reduce for 2 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
Step 6. Add shrimp back in to the pan along with fresh parsley. Stir to incorporate and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
Shrimp are an easy protein to decipher doneness. Once they turn completely pink, they are done. If you are still concerned, you can test the temperature. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees.
What to Eat With Shrimp Scampi
The delicious sauce in this shrimp scampi pairs so well with pasta and bread.
- Serve with lots of crusty bread or garlic bread.
- Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles with a little lemon zest, lemon wedges and lots of parmesan cheese for a mouthwatering shrimp scampi pasta.
- Serve with a simple side dish like a Simple Rocca Salad with Shaved Parmesan or some Air Fryer Asparagus for a simple weeknight dinner.
How to Store Leftover Shrimp Scampi
Store leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat Shrimp Scampi
This shrimp scampi without wine can be reheated in a large skillet over medium to medium-low heat. You can add a little extra chicken stock while it heats. Heat for about 5 minutes until warm, but don't overcook.
Did you enjoy this Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine? Please let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I can't wait to hear from you!
Shrimp Scampi without Wine
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 10 garlic cloves chopped
- 2 lb. raw shrimp large or jumbo
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 4 tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Peel shrimp (you can leave the tails on. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a medium-sized skillet, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil. Add in shrimp and cook until they just begin to turn pink. They will need about 2 minutes on each side, so flip after 1-2 minutes.
- They will need about 2 minutes on each side, so flip after 1-2 minutes. Remove to a plate to the side.
- Add remaining 1 tbsp. of olive oil. Add in chopped garlic cloves and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Deglaze pan with chicken stock and add butter and lemon juice. Whisk to emulsify sauce. Allow to reduce for 2 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
- Add shrimp back into the pan along with fresh parsley. Stir to incorporate and serve immediately.
Sarah
This recipe was so good and quick to make.