Description

This Shrimp Scampi Appetizer is a vibrant and flavorful starter featuring large shrimp cooked in a garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and lime zest and juice, white wine, and scallions. Perfectly sautéed in a skillet, this dish combines the brightness of citrus and the richness of butter for a quick, elegant appetizer that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Citrus Mixture

1 lemon (zested and juiced to yield 2 Tbsp. lemon juice)
2 limes (zested and juiced to yield 2 Tbsp. lime juice)
2 Tbsp. light white wine

Cooking Ingredients

2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 Tbsp. (½ stick) butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 and ¼ lb. large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
¾ tsp. salt, plus more to taste
8 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced

Instructions

Prepare Citrus Mixture: Zest the lemon and limes, then juice the fruits to collect 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Combine the zests, the lemon and lime juices, and the white wine in a small bowl and set aside.
Heat Fat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil together with 2 tablespoons of the butter until melted and hot.
Sauté Garlic: Add the smashed garlic cloves to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp along with ¾ teaspoon of salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn opaque in the center, about 3 minutes.
Add Scallions and Citrus Mixture: Stir in the sliced scallions and the prepared citrus-wine mixture. Continue cooking while stirring until the liquid barely comes to a boil, allowing the flavors to meld.
Finish Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
Serve: Transfer the shrimp scampi to a serving dish and provide toothpicks for easy appetizer-style serving. Serve warm.

Notes

Ensure shrimp are peeled and deveined for best texture and flavor.
Use fresh lemon and lime for bright, natural citrus notes.
If white wine is unavailable, dry vermouth or a mild white grape juice can be substituted.
Adjust salt levels based on dietary preferences.
Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: shrimp scampi, appetizer, garlic shrimp, citrus seafood appetizer, easy shrimp recipe, stovetop shrimp, quick appetizer