There’s nothing like adding a little extra flavor to dinner with the grill. A light char complements almost anything, and grilled shrimp scampi is no exception. This recipe combines buttery garlic sauce, fresh lemon, and perfectly grilled shrimp for a meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
The secret to a flavorful shrimp scampi is in the garlic butter sauce. For this recipe, we recommend tossing the shrimp in the sauce after it’s grilled. This gives the shrimp time to carmelize without the butter burning.
You can serve grilled shrimp scampi over pasta, in hoagie rolls, or simply alongside grilled veggies and a fresh salad to keep it lighter. Just be sure to serve it with plenty of bread to sop up every drop of sauce.
How Do You Make Grilled Shrimp Scampi?
To make grilled shrimp scampi, marinate large shrimp with garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, and seasonings. Grill the shrimp over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes per side, then toss them in a warm garlic butter sauce made with fresh lemon juice, parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Grilled Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat the Grill
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the cooking grates.
2. Prep the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until evenly coated. Thread the shrimp onto skewers, leaving a small space between each shrimp for even cooking.
3. Cook the Shrimp
Grill the shrimp for approximately 2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and develop light grill marks.
4. Make the Sauce
While the shrimp cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Remove the butter sauce from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
5. Combine and Serve
Transfer the grilled shrimp to a serving platter and immediately spoon the warm garlic butter sauce over the top. Toss gently to coat every shrimp. Garnish with additional parsley and lemon wedges. Serve hot.
Butcher’s Tips for Success
- Pat the shrimp dry: Making sure the shrimp is dry helps them caramelize instead of steaming.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: Once they turn opaque and curl into a gentle “C” shape, remove them from the grill.
- Serving suggestions: Grilled shrimp scampi pairs well with pasta, polenta, risotto, and roasted vegetables.
Looking for More Shrimp Recipes?
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Easy Shrimp Boil
Seared Honey Garlic Shrimp
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Shrimp Scampi
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Fully thaw the shrimp and pat them dry before seasoning to help them grill properly.
Should I leave the tails on?
Either option works. Leaving the tails on creates a more elegant presentation, while removing them makes the shrimp easier to eat.
What pasta goes best with shrimp scampi?
Angel hair, linguine, spaghetti, and fettuccine all pair beautifully with garlic butter shrimp.
Can I make the garlic butter ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the sauce a day ahead and gently reheat it just before serving.
Put Grilled Shrimp Scampi on Your Family’s Table with The Butcher Shop
Grilled shrimp scampi is a restaurant-quality meal that comes together easily enough for a weeknight. We recommend using large or jumbo shrimp for this recipe since they’re easier to cook evenly and stay juicy on the grill. We also recommend starting with fresh shrimp, although frozen also works.
At The Butcher Shop, we carry fresh seafood with shipments coming in from local fishing outfits every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. What you see in our shop can be caught and served on your plate within the same 24 hours. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
We also carry farm-fresh produce, freshly baked bread, and high-quality pantry ingredients – all at prices that won’t break your budget. Stop by today or call ahead to pre-order your ingredients.