If you are craving a seafood dish that bursts with vibrant flavors and is surprisingly easy to prepare, this Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe is the answer. Imagine plump, succulent shrimp grilled to perfection, infused with zesty lemon, fragrant garlic, and fresh parsley, then dipped into a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce. This dish combines the smoky charm of the grill with the classic brightness and richness of scampi, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients You'll Need
Ingredients You'll Need
Simple, fresh ingredients are the heart and soul of this Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe. Each one plays a crucial role—bringing brightness, richness, or a perfect balance of herbs and spices that elevate the shrimp without overpowering its natural sweetness.
- Shrimp (1-½ pounds, raw, shell on, U15 or 16/20 count): Choose large shrimp with shells on to lock in moisture and grill flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil (⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons): Adds fruity richness and helps to marinate and cook the shrimp beautifully.
- Fresh lemon juice (¼ cup + up to 1 tablespoon): Delivers a bright and tangy punch essential to the signature scampi flavor.
- Garlic (3 tablespoons finely chopped, divided): Infuses the dish with savory depth and that classic garlicky warmth.
- Shallots (2 tablespoons finely chopped): Offer a mild onion flavor that balances the lemon and garlic perfectly.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons finely chopped): Brings a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens every bite.
- Kosher salt (1-¼ teaspoons total): Enhances the natural flavors and brings everything together.
- Freshly-ground black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the palate.
- Unsalted butter (6 tablespoons): The base of the dipping sauce, giving the dish its creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
- Grated lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Intensifies the lemon flavor with aromatic oils from the peel.
- Thinly sliced scallions (1 tablespoon): Provide mild oniony freshness with a crisp texture.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, ¼ teaspoon): For those who like a little gentle heat to contrast the buttery sauce.
How to Make Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Shrimp
Start by deveining the shrimp while keeping the shells mostly intact. Use a small knife or kitchen shears to make a shallow cut along the shrimp’s back and remove the dark vein. Leaving the shells on helps the marinade penetrate deeply while the shrimp cooks, preserving juiciness and imparting a smoky, grilled flavor.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, shallots, parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper until combined. Toss your shrimp in this vibrant marinade, ensuring every piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes to allow those fresh flavors to soak in, then bring the shrimp to room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling to ensure even cooking.
Step 3: Grill the Shrimp
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates so the shrimp don’t stick. Thread the shrimp onto stainless steel skewers to make flipping easy while grilling. Grill for just 2 to 4 minutes on each side until the shells turn a bright pink, and the meat becomes firm and opaque. Be careful not to overcook, as shrimp can quickly become rubbery.
Step 4: Make the Dipping Sauce and Serve
Melt butter and olive oil together in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in garlic gently until fragrant, then add salt, extra lemon juice, lemon zest, scallions, parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Keep the sauce warm while the shrimp finish up on the grill. Serve the shrimp on a platter with this warm, indulgent lemon-garlic butter ready for dipping.
How to Serve Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley and thin lemon slices are perfect garnishes to brighten the dish visually and aromatically. Adding a sprinkle of extra lemon zest or a pinch of red pepper flakes on top just before serving can accentuate the flavors and add a little punch.
Side Dishes
This Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe pairs beautifully with crusty bread to soak up the luscious butter sauce or a simple bed of rice or al dente pasta to make it a fuller meal. Light, grilled vegetables such as asparagus or zucchini also complement the dish and keep the seafood star front and center.
Creative Ways to Present
Try removing the shells after grilling for a more elegant presentation and serve the shrimp drizzled with the lemon-garlic butter atop a bowl of linguine or angel hair pasta. You can also skewer the shrimp individually and serve as a fun appetizer with small dipping bowls of the sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover grilled shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep the shrimp and sauce separate if possible to preserve the texture and freshness of the shrimp.
Freezing
Freezing is not ideal for shrimp after grilling since it can affect the texture, but if needed, freeze shrimp and sauce separately in sealed containers. Use within one month for best taste and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or extra butter to keep them moist. Avoid microwave reheating which can quickly dry out shrimp and make them rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use peeled shrimp instead of shells on?
While peeling is optional, leaving the shells on during grilling helps the shrimp stay juicy and adds a wonderful smoky flavor. If you prefer peeled shrimp, make sure to adjust grilling time slightly as they cook faster.
How long should I marinate the shrimp?
Marinating for about 45 minutes is perfect for flavor infusion without the acid from lemon juice starting to break down the shrimp texture. You should also let the shrimp sit at room temperature after marinating for even cooking on the grill.
Can I make the lemon-garlic butter sauce ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the sauce ahead and gently rewarm it before serving. Just be careful not to overheat or burn the garlic, which can make it taste bitter.
What if I don’t have a grill?
No problem! You can cook the shrimp on a grill pan or even under a broiler, just watch carefully as cooking times will vary. The key is to get that slightly charred, smoky flavor while keeping the shrimp tender.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe is milder by default, but the optional crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle heat that balances the buttery and citrus flavors beautifully. You can adjust the spice level to your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser with its bright, buttery, and garlicky flavors paired with perfectly grilled shrimp. Whether you’re cooking a casual weeknight meal or impressing guests at your next barbecue, this dish brings the joy of fresh seafood and easy, flavorful cooking together perfectly. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy shrimp!
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Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Grilled Shrimp Scampi recipe features juicy, marinated shrimp grilled to perfection with their shells on, served with a flavorful lemon-garlic butter dipping sauce. The marinade infuses the shrimp with fresh lemon, garlic, shallots, and parsley, while the dipping sauce offers a rich, buttery complement with a hint of zest and heat. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, this recipe provides an elegant, easy-to-make seafood meal with bold flavors and a delightful presentation.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Marinade
- 1-½ pounds raw shrimp, shell on (U15 or 16/20 count)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tablespoon finely-chopped garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallots
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
For the Lemon-Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-½ teaspoons finely-chopped garlic (about 1 large clove)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- ½ to 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon thinly-sliced scallions
- 1 tablespoon finely-chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Shrimp: Devein the shrimp by making a shallow cut along the back with a paring knife or kitchen shears and removing the dark vein. Leave the shells on but loosen them slightly to allow the marinade to penetrate.
- Marinate the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, shallots, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes. Remove from the fridge 15 minutes before grilling to let it reach room temperature, totaling 1 hour of marinating.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Thread and Grill the Shrimp: Remove shrimp from the marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Thread shrimp onto stainless steel skewers and discard the marinade. Grill the shrimp 2-4 minutes per side until the shells are pink and the meat is opaque white. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter with olive oil over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add salt, lemon juice, lemon zest, scallions, parsley, and red pepper flakes if using. Keep warm until serving.
- Serve: Carefully remove shrimp from skewers onto a serving platter. Serve the shrimp with the warm lemon-garlic butter sauce for dipping alongside crusty bread. Alternatively, peel the shrimp after grilling and serve drizzled with sauce over rice or pasta.
Notes
- Keeping the shells on helps to lock in moisture and flavor during grilling.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to maintain their tender texture.
- If you don’t have stainless steel skewers, wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes work.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the sauce according to your spice preference.
- Allowing the shrimp to come to room temperature before grilling ensures even cooking.
- This dish pairs well with a light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
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