Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Recreate the deliciousness of Red Lobster’s shrimp scampi with this easy recipe. Perfect for a delightful dinner, this dish features succulent shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon. Follow these simple steps to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home, perfect for impressing guests or indulging in a special treat. Ideal for seafood lovers looking to replicate their favorite Red Lobster dish.

Second only to Olive Garden, Red Lobster is one of my favorite restaurants. In fact, we adore it so much that my late husband Steve and I ate there on our wedding night before leaving for our honeymoon. It’s a memory I cherish these days.

Wedding night aside, Red Lobster is not something our budget allows for often. Even for a couple to eat, it can get rather expensive pretty quickly. So, to avoid that added cost, I began searching for new recipes and making our favorite shrimp scampi recipe at home.

It can be made for considerably less than it costs to head to the restaurant and the flavor is amazing! In fact, it is hands down one of my favorite copycat restaurant recipes!

Does this Recipe Really Taste like Red Lobster Garlic Shrimp Scampi?

Yes! This recipe really does taste like the Red Lobster Garlic Shrimp Scampi. In fact, it is actually hard to tell the difference between the two because it is so close. When you make a pan of it and serve it to your family, I am certain they will think you bought it at the restaurant.

What is Shrimp Scampi Seasoning Made Of?

This shrimp scampi uses white wine, Italian seasonings like fresh parsley, black pepper, oregano, basil and thyme combined with Old Bay seasoning, garlic and fresh lemon juice to create a light and flavorful butter sauce.

When tossed with shrimp in a large skillet and served over pasta, the sauce becomes the star of the recipe.

What Kind of Shrimp Should I Use for Scampi?

While you can use any shrimp you want in any size you want, medium seems to be the best fit for the recipe. You will also want to make sure you buy shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined. Otherwise, your prep time will take much longer than ten minutes. 

After all, no one really wants to spend hours in the kitchen preparing shrimp, now do they?

If you really want the shrimp to star, you can go as big as extra large shrimp. I like a good balance of each flavor in my recipes so I stick with medium.

What Can I Use Instead of White Wine in Shrimp Scampi?

If you, like me, don’t use alcohol in your cooking, chicken broth makes a fantastic substitute. It is also cheaper which makes this restaurant copycat even cheaper to make.

To substitute chicken broth in shrimp scampi, use the same amount of broth that the recipe calls for with white wine.

Can You Freeze Shrimp Scampi?

I suppose you could as none of the separate ingredients in the recipe will not freeze well. With that said, be aware that your sauce may separate when you thaw and reheat. It may also become watery due to melting ice crystals when you thaw. 

For leftovers, your best option is to store leftovers in an airtight container and eat within three days. Since this is a seafood recipe, I would not try to push the leftovers out more than 72-hours. Honestly, that’s even a bit much for me. I tend to draw the line at 48-hours maximum in my home.

How to Serve Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi?

This dish is amazing when served with garlic and herb angel hair pasta. For an even more authentic Red Lobster experience, you can buy Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits mix or make your own. Serve with a vegetable side such as broccoli or asparagus and my Red Lobster crab stuffed mushrooms and you have an authentic meal at grocery store prices!

Eat up! I’m sure you’re going to love it!