Easy Scampi Sauce for Shrimp

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 09/3/24
Tested by
Tracy Wilk
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Tested by Tracy Wilk
Tracy Wilk is a professional pastry chef, recipe developer and chef instructor, and, most importantly, a firm believer in sprinkles.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 4 mins
Total: 14 mins
Servings: 4 servings

This easy-to-make sauce recipe creates a delicious shrimp scampi that takes mere minutes to prepare. Just heat the sauce ingredients, toss with shrimp, then serve the garlicky concoction over pasta or rice. You can also serve the shrimp and sauce on their own as an appetizer with toothpicks.

This will make enough sauce for about two pounds of peeled and cooked shrimp. Alternatively, you can use scampi sauce to top other kinds of seafood or even chicken as well as pasta or rice. The mild but rich dish pairs well with a leafy green salad, sautéed broccoli, or grilled asparagus.

Easy shrimp scampi sauce in a bowl next to shrimp scampi

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

What Does Scampi Mean?

Scampi is actually the name of a type of prawn or small lobster. The scampi are often served in a garlic and butter sauce but are not commonly available in the U.S. In American cuisine, shrimp replaces the scampi with the word "scampi" describing the style of dish instead of the crustacean. Shrimp scampi is a seafood dish with a sauce of garlic, lemon, and butter. 

How Do You Thicken a Scampi Sauce?

Scampi sauce is meant to be fairly thin since it's largely butter-based. If you would like a thicker sauce, consider adding a slurry made with cornstarch or add some heavy cream. The cream will also make the sauce richer.

What You'll Need to Make this Scampi Sauce Recipe
Best Frying Pans
A Reliable Pan
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A Sturdy Cutting Board

"Scampi sauce is a perfect way to transform your seafood into a delectable dish. It is super easy to whip together and can be used on shrimp, mild fish, or even chicken. Once you master this recipe you will be making it all the time with different variations and side dishes." —Tracy Wilk

Easy shrimp scampi sauce in a bowl with shrimp and spaghetti
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Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • Dash tabasco sauce

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley

  • 2 pounds peeled and cooked shrimp, or other cooked and prepped seafood, or cooked chicken breast

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for scampi sauce ingredients recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Melt 6 tablespoons salted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When the butter stops foaming add 5 cloves garlic (minced) and continue cooking for 2 minutes. 

    Butter melting in a saucepan with garlic

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Stir in 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, dash of Tabasco sauce, and kosher salt to taste. Heat through. Stir in the fresh parsley.

    Fresh parsley, lemon juice, and Tabasco sauce added to scampi sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Toss with 2 pounds peeled and cooked shrimp and serve immediately with hot cooked rice or angel hair pasta.

    Scampi sauce tossed with cooked shrimp on a white platter

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Add more flavor - Add a splash of dry white wine while adding the lemon juice. Cook for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol Finish with a sprinkle of grated parmesan or buttered breadcrumbs
  • No pasta, no problem - Swap the typical pasta for zucchini noodles
  • Add protein - Add some chicken into the mix for extra protein, or swap the shrimp completely for grilled or pan-roasted chicken
  • Make it creamy - For a creamier shrimp scampi, add heavy cream to the sauce
  • Grill it - Fire up the grill for a grilled shrimp scampi
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
300 Calories
7g Fat
4g Carbs
52g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 300
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 486mg 162%
Sodium 2322mg 101%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 52g
Vitamin C 8mg 41%
Calcium 214mg 16%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 418mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)