Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi – Easy Copycat Restaurant Favorite

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is one of the most popular dishes on the restaurant’s menu, known for its tender shrimp coated in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon and herbs. This copycat version brings the same bold, comforting flavor to your kitchen using simple ingredients and easy steps. Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is perfect for busy weeknights, casual dinners, or when you want a restaurant-style meal without the cost. In this guide, you’ll learn how to cook shrimp perfectly, build a balanced scampi sauce, and customize the dish to suit your taste.

What Is Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi?

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is a garlic butter shrimp dish served in a rich, savory sauce made with butter, garlic and lemon juice. The shrimp are cooked quickly to stay tender, then coated in the sauce until glossy and flavorful. This dish is often served with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Why This Shrimp Scampi Became So Popular

This dish became popular because it balances richness and brightness. The butter provides depth, garlic adds bold flavor, and lemon cuts through the richness, preventing the dish from feeling heavy. Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi also highlights the shrimp themselves, keeping them front and center rather than hiding them under heavy sauces.

How It Differs from Classic Italian Scampi

Traditional Italian scampi often refers to langoustines cooked with olive oil and garlic. American-style shrimp scampi, including the Red Lobster version, uses butter and chicken broth to create a richer sauce. This copycat focuses on recreating that signature restaurant-style flavor while keeping preparation simple.

Why You’ll Love This Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

This recipe delivers the same comforting flavor you expect from the restaurant but with the flexibility of home cooking.

Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home

By using fresh garlic, quality butter, and properly cooked shrimp, this dish tastes just as indulgent as the original. You control seasoning and portion size, making it even better than dining out.

Quick and Weeknight-Friendly

Shrimp cook quickly, which makes this recipe ideal for busy evenings. From prep to plate, this shrimp scampi comes together in under 30 minutes.

Rich Garlic Butter Sauce

The sauce is the heart of this dish. It’s silky, flavorful, and perfect for spooning over rice or pasta.

Ingredients Needed for Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

The signature flavor of Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi comes from a short list of simple ingredients used in the right balance. Each element plays a specific role in building the rich yet bright sauce that defines this dish.

Choosing the Best Shrimp

Shrimp are the centerpiece of Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi, so quality matters. Large shrimp are ideal because they stay juicy and cook evenly. Peeled and deveined shrimp save time and ensure a clean presentation.

Fresh shrimp offer the best texture, but frozen shrimp work well when properly thawed. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry to remove excess moisture. Dry shrimp sear better and absorb the garlic butter sauce more effectively.

Garlic, Butter, and Flavor Builders

Garlic and butter form the base of the scampi sauce. Fresh garlic delivers the strongest flavor and aroma, while butter adds richness and smoothness. A small amount of olive oil can be added to prevent the butter from browning too quickly.

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi also includes subtle seasoning elements such as salt, black pepper, and Italian-style herbs. These ingredients enhance the sauce without overpowering the shrimp.

Sauce Ingredients Explained

Lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the richness of the butter. A small pinch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat, while parsley provides freshness and color at the end.

How to Make Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Step-by-Step

This dish cooks quickly, so having all ingredients prepared before starting ensures smooth execution. Timing is essential to keep the shrimp tender.

Preparing the Shrimp

Before cooking, season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper. This step enhances flavor from the inside and helps the shrimp cook evenly.

Keep the shrimp chilled until ready to cook. Cold shrimp sear better when added to a hot pan, creating better texture.

Cooking the Garlic Butter Sauce

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Avoid browning the garlic, as this can create bitterness.

Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer briefly to reduce slightly. This concentrates the flavor and forms the base of the sauce.

Finishing the Shrimp Perfectly

Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook just until they turn pink and opaque, then flip to cook the other side. Shrimp cook quickly, so avoid overcrowding the pan.

Finish with lemon juice, herbs, and a small knob of butter if desired. Toss gently to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce before removing from heat.

Tips for the Best Copycat Shrimp Scampi

Attention to detail helps recreate the restaurant-style experience at home.

Preventing Overcooked Shrimp

Shrimp become rubbery when overcooked. Remove them from heat as soon as they are opaque and curled into a loose “C” shape.

Balancing Garlic, Butter, and Lemon

The key to Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is balance. Too much butter can feel heavy, while too much lemon can overpower the dish. Taste and adjust gently at the end for the best results.

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Variations

One of the reasons this copycat dish is so popular is its flexibility. With a few simple adjustments, you can customize the flavor while still keeping the familiar garlic butter profile people love.

Spicy Shrimp Scampi

For those who enjoy heat, adding extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne gives the dish a gentle kick. The spice works well with the buttery sauce and enhances the savory garlic flavor without overwhelming the shrimp.

If you prefer controlled heat, add spice gradually and taste as you go. This ensures the dish stays balanced.

Creamy Shrimp Scampi Option

While the classic version relies on butter and chicken broth, a creamy variation can be made by adding a small amount of heavy cream at the end of cooking. This creates a richer sauce that clings beautifully to pasta or rice.

When making this version, reduce the butter slightly so the sauce doesn’t become too heavy.

Pasta and Rice Pairings

This shrimp scampi works well served over linguine, angel hair pasta, or white rice. The sauce coats pasta strands easily and soaks into rice, making every bite flavorful.

Zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice can also be used for a lighter option while still enjoying the garlic butter sauce.

How to Serve Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Presentation and pairing play an important role in making this dish feel restaurant-worthy.

Best Side Dishes

Simple sides work best. Steamed vegetables, roasted asparagus, or a crisp green salad balance the richness of the scampi sauce. Garlic bread or crusty bread is ideal for soaking up any remaining sauce.

Avoid heavy side dishes, as the shrimp and sauce are already rich.

Serving for Dinner or Entertaining

This dish works equally well for casual family dinners and small gatherings. Serve it straight from the skillet for a relaxed presentation, or plate it over pasta for a more polished look. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for color and brightness.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Shrimp scampi is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can still be enjoyable with proper handling.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Because shrimp are delicate, longer storage can affect texture.

If possible, store the shrimp and sauce separately from pasta or rice to maintain the best consistency.

Reheating Without Drying

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving for extended periods, as this can make the shrimp rubbery.

FAQs About Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Final Thoughts on Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is a comforting, flavorful dish that brings restaurant-style indulgence into your home kitchen. With tender shrimp, a rich garlic butter sauce, and bright lemon notes, it’s a recipe that feels special without being complicated. Whether served over rice, pasta, or alongside vegetables, this copycat version delivers reliable results and crowd-pleasing flavor every time.

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