If you’ve ever wanted a seafood dinner that’s quick, flavorful, and fuss-free, then you’re going to adore this Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish comes together in under 20 minutes, packing all the garlicky, buttery goodness you’d expect from classic scampi—but without the wine. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to for busy weeknights or an impressive last-minute dinner.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 15 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
No Wine Needed: Uses broth to build a rich sauce without compromising flavor.
Flavor-Packed: Garlic, lemon, and fresh parsley make every bite bright and satisfying.
One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup since everything cooks in one skillet or pot.

The image shows a close-up of cooked shrimp in a black pan, covered with a creamy sauce that is light yellow with green herbs sprinkled on top. The shrimp are pink and white with some black pepper and small green parsley pieces scattered across them. Near the center-right side, a bright yellow lemon wedge is partially submerged in the sauce, adding a pop of color. The sauce looks smooth and slightly thick. The shrimp are arranged in layers, with some overlapping each other, and the background is a white marbled texture. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe comes from simple, fresh ingredients working together. You’ll want to pick quality shrimp and a good broth because they really elevate the sauce without needing alcohol.

Butter: Adds richness and helps mellow the garlic flavor for a buttery sauce you’ll crave.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Gives a lovely fruity undertone and helps keep the sauce silky.
Garlic Cloves: Minced fresh for that punch of aroma and flavor essential to scampi.
Broth (Seafood, Vegetable, or Chicken): This replaces wine and provides a depth of flavor; I love vegetable broth for a lighter touch.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning evenly—adjust to your taste.
Ground Black Pepper: Adds just the right amount of heat and complexity.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A subtle kick that wakes up the palate without overwhelming the shrimp.
Large Shrimp (peeled, tails on): The star of the show — tails left on for flavor and easy handling.
Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh, and adds a beautiful pop of color.
Lemon Juice: Adds acidity to balance the buttery richness and enhances the freshness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love mixing things up when I make this recipe. The flexibility is one of the best parts—you can easily tweak it to suit what you have on hand or the flavors you’re craving.

Using Different Broths: I’ve tried seafood, veggie, and chicken broths; each lends a unique twist, with seafood broth giving the most authentic taste.
Adding Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkling fresh Parmesan at the end adds a salty, creamy layer that my family goes crazy for.
Spicy Versions: If you love heat, I bump up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne—I discovered this kick really wakes up the dish.
Serving Over Alternatives: I’ve swapped pasta for spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carb meal that still feels indulgent.

How to Make Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Olive Oil with Garlic

Start with a large pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat—this helps you get even cooking. Melt the butter together with the olive oil; this combo prevents the butter from burning and balances richness with fruity notes. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté it for about a minute until you can smell that irresistible garlic aroma—but watch it carefully so it doesn’t brown and get bitter. This step sets the flavorful foundation for everything else.

Step 2: Simmer Broth and Seasonings

Next, add your broth plus kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer and cook until it reduces by about half—this concentrates the flavors and thickens the sauce just enough. It usually takes 1 to 2 minutes, so keep an eye on it and stir occasionally.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Add the peeled shrimp with tails on to the pan. This part is super quick—sauté them for 3 to 4 minutes until they just turn pink and curl up slightly. Overcooking shrimp is one of my biggest cooking pitfalls, so I like to stay close and remove them as soon as they’re done for that tender, juicy bite.

Step 4: Finish with Parsley and Lemon Juice

Finally, stir in freshly chopped parsley and squeeze in lemon juice to brighten up the whole dish. Remove the skillet from heat right after—letting the residual warmth do the last bit of melding. Serve immediately, with extra lemon wedges to squeeze over the top. I personally love spooning this over linguine or enjoying it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe

Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cook FAST—once pink and curled, get them off the heat to avoid rubbery texture.
Use Good Broth: A flavorful broth makes all the difference; I often make my own or buy low-sodium options to control saltiness.
Fresh Garlic is Key: Always use fresh, minced garlic—not powdered—for that punchy, authentic flavor.
Serve Immediately: Scampi is best enjoyed right away while the shrimp are tender and the sauce is luscious.

How to Serve Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe

In a black skillet placed on a white marbled surface, there is a dish made of many cooked shrimp with a slightly pink and white color, sitting in a creamy, light yellow sauce with small green herbs mixed in. On top, there are small bits of black pepper and parsley sprinkled evenly. There are three lemon slices placed on the shrimp near one edge of the skillet. To the upper left, there is a white bowl with three slices of multigrain bread with seeds on the crust. A light gray cloth is under part of the skillet. There are also lemon wedges and green parsley on the white marbled surface near the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like sprinkling additional fresh parsley over the top right before serving—it adds a pop of green and fresh herbal notes. A few extra lemon wedges on the side are a must for anyone who loves an extra citrus zing with every bite.

Side Dishes

This scampi pairs beautifully with simple sides like garlic bread to soak up sauce, steamed asparagus for a fresh crunch, or a crisp green salad to lighten up the meal. Sometimes, I just pile it over pasta or buttery mashed potatoes for a super comforting combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served shrimp scampi over a bed of arugula tossed with lemon vinaigrette. It feels fancy but is super easy to pull off. Also, plating it in individual shallow bowls with a sprinkle of Parmesan and microgreens makes it look restaurant-worthy without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The shrimp can get a little firmer after sitting, so I find it’s best to enjoy this dish fresh, but reheating carefully lets you stretch the meal without too much loss.

Freezing

Shrimp scampi doesn’t freeze super well because the shrimp texture changes, but if you want to prep the broth base ahead, freeze it separately in an airtight container. Then just thaw and add fresh shrimp when cooking for the best results.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Avoid the microwave if you can—it’s tempting but often makes shrimp rubbery fast.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely before cooking. I recommend rinsing them under cold water and patting dry to avoid excess moisture, which can interfere with sautéing.
What can I substitute for broth if I don’t have any?

If you’re out of broth, you can make a quick substitute by dissolving a bouillon cube or granules in hot water. Just be mindful of salt levels when using this alternative.
Is this recipe suitable for people who don’t drink alcohol?

Yes! This Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe is perfect for those avoiding alcohol since it uses savory broth instead of wine, but still delivers that luscious scampi flavor.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Definitely. The recipe itself is naturally gluten-free since it doesn’t include pasta, but just be sure your broth and any sides you serve (like gluten-free bread or pasta) are certified gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe has become one of my favorite quick dinners, and I’m sure once you try it, you’ll love it just as much. It’s a little reminder that delicious doesn’t have to be complicated, and sometimes the simplest ingredients make the best memories around the table. So grab those shrimp, fire up your skillet, and let this recipe become your new weeknight champion.