If you’ve been craving a rich, comforting seafood dish but want to skip the wine, then this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s quick, packed with flavor, and uses pantry staples like chicken broth instead of wine without losing that classic scampi vibe. I absolutely love how this turns out every time, and I promise you’ll find it’s just as satisfying and so easy to whip up on a weeknight!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Wine Needed: Perfect for those who want all the flavor of traditional scampi without using alcohol.
Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your kitchen, which makes this a breeze to pull off.
Quick & Easy: Ready in about 15 minutes, making it great for busy nights or last-minute dinners.
Fan Favorite: My family goes crazy for this buttery, garlicky shrimp dish every time I make it!

The image shows a white plate with cooked shrimp that are pink and white with some green parsley pieces on top. The shrimp are placed in the center of the plate with a small bunch of parsley garnish in the middle. On the right side of the plate, there are two pieces of toasted bread that look crispy and light brown with some black pepper on top. The plate is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic is really in the balance of flavors here — buttery richness combined with bright citrus and a little kick from the red pepper. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building that perfect scampi experience, all without the wine.

Large shrimp: Fresh or thawed, peeled and deveined shrimp work best — they cook quickly and soak up flavors wonderfully.
Garlic cloves: Don’t skimp here; fresh, minced garlic gives that signature punch.
Butter: Unsalted is ideal so you can control the saltiness of your dish.
Chicken broth: This replaces the wine and adds a savory depth without overpowering the dish.
Lemon zest and juice: Freshly grated zest and juice brighten everything up with that lovely citrus tang.
Crushed red pepper: Just a pinch adds warmth—but feel free to adjust to your heat preference.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the butter.
Chopped parsley: Adds a fresh herbal note and pretty green color for garnish.

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 making this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe my own by swapping or adding ingredients depending on the mood or what’s in my fridge. Feel free to get creative — these tweaks will keep the dish fresh every time you make it.

With Pasta: Mixing the cooked shrimp and sauce into cooked linguine or spaghetti turns it into a hearty meal — my family especially loves it this way.
Spicy Version: Add more crushed red pepper or a dash of cayenne if you want some serious heat; I discovered this trick when one of my friends wanted a fiery upgrade.
Herb Variations: Swap parsley for fresh basil or cilantro to give it a different herbal twist.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the butter for olive oil to make this recipe dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Shrimp and Garlic

Start by rinsing your shrimp under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels—this helps them sear nicely instead of steaming. Peel and mince the garlic cloves finely; you want them to release their flavor without any big chunks overpowering the dish.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Toast Garlic

In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently until fragrant and just starting to get a little golden—this takes about 3 minutes. Don’t rush this step or turn the heat too high, or you risk burning the garlic, which will make things bitter.

Step 3: Sauté the Shrimp

Turn the heat up to medium, add your shrimp in a single layer, and sauté for about 3 minutes, flipping once until they’re pink, opaque, and cooked through. Remove them gently with a slotted spoon and set aside—overcooking shrimp makes them rubbery, so watch closely!

Step 4: Make the Sauce

Now, pour in the chicken broth, followed by the lemon zest, lemon juice, crushed red pepper, and kosher salt. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a low boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce reduce slightly. Give it a quick taste—you might want to add a pinch more salt or a squeeze more lemon juice to balance it perfectly.

Step 5: Finish with Parsley and Shrimp

Stir in half of the chopped parsley into the sauce, then return the shrimp (and any juices from the plate) back into the pan. Cook for another minute, stirring gently just to rewarm the shrimp and marry the flavors. Don’t overcook here either, as your shrimp have already been cooked perfectly!

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Serve right away, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. You’ll love how the buttery, garlicky sauce coats each shrimp, teasing your taste buds with every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe

Dry Your Shrimp Thoroughly: I learned this the hard way—wet shrimp won’t sear properly and can make your sauce watery.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They go from perfectly tender to rubbery in seconds, so keep a close eye during cooking.
Use Fresh Lemon Zest: It makes a world of difference adding a bright, citrusy aroma compared to bottled lemon juice alone.
Simmer the Sauce Properly: Let the broth reduce slightly to intensify flavors instead of rushing this step.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe

A deep white bowl with blue floral patterns is filled with about two layers of cooked shrimp in a light yellow buttery sauce. The shrimp are pink and white with some green herb bits scattered on top and throughout the sauce. A silver spoon gently lifts some shrimp on the right side of the bowl. The bowl is set on a dark blue cloth on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley because it adds a fresh, herbal contrast against the rich butter sauce. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a scatter of lemon wedges on the side really elevate the presentation and taste.

Side Dishes

This scampi pairs beautifully with a simple side of steamed asparagus or a crisp green salad. If you want to turn it into a soul-satisfying meal, tossing it with linguine or serving alongside crusty garlic bread never fails to make dinner feel complete.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve even plated this shrimp atop creamy polenta or cauliflower rice for a fancy, low-carb option when entertaining guests. A colorful platter with the shrimp arranged over a bed of pasta, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon slices, makes for a stunning centerpiece that gets rave reviews.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sauce might thicken a bit, but a quick reheat with a splash of broth or water helps loosen it right back up.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this dish because shrimp texture can sometimes get a little rubbery after freezing and reheating. However, if you want to freeze, cool completely and freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month, then thaw gently in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer gently warming on the stove over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the sauce silky smooth and prevent the shrimp from drying out. Microwaving works too, but go low power and stir often to avoid overcooking.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes! Just be sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before cooking. This ensures they cook evenly and get a nice sear without excess water diluting the sauce.
Why is there no wine in this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe?

Some people avoid wine for dietary or personal reasons. Using chicken broth as a substitute offers similar savory depth while keeping the dish approachable and alcohol-free without sacrificing flavor.
How do I prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery?

Cook shrimp quickly over medium heat just until they turn pink and opaque—around 3 minutes. Overcooking is the main culprit for tough texture, so keep an eye and remove promptly.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free, just be sure to check that your chicken broth is gluten-free and serve with gluten-free sides if needed.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine Recipe holds a special place in my weekly rotation. It’s that perfect balance of comfort food and elegance, minus the fuss of complicated ingredients or long cooking times. I’m always excited to share it with friends because it feels like a treat but comes together like a weeknight dinner. Give this recipe a try—you’ll see it quickly becomes a go-to whenever shrimp cravings hit!