Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

If you are looking for a flavorful Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine, this easy version is a great choice. It is made with tender shrimp, fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, and a glossy butter sauce that tastes rich, slightly spicy, and bright without using any wine.

This shrimp scampi without wine is ideal for anyone who prefers not to cook with alcohol or wants a family-friendly pasta dinner that still has the classic tangy flavor of scampi. Instead of white wine, the sauce gets its acidity from fresh lemon juice and zest, while vegetable or chicken broth adds savory depth.

The recipe is simple enough for a weeknight but still feels special. Juicy shrimp are quickly seared, then tossed with angel hair pasta in a buttery garlic sauce. The result is a satisfying meal with lean protein, pasta, fresh parsley, and a bright lemon finish. Serve it on its own or add a green salad, warm bread, or vegetables for a complete dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy and rich – This shrimp scampi recipe does not use heavy cream, but the cold butter and broth create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
• Easy to make – The steps are straightforward, and the recipe uses simple kitchen tools, making it approachable for beginners.
• Full of flavor – Garlic, shallots, lemon, parsley, chili flakes, and broth give this shrimp scampi without wine plenty of fresh, savory flavor.
• No wine needed – You can enjoy the bright taste of shrimp scampi without adding white wine to the sauce.
• Quick dinner – With a short prep time and fast cooking process, this pasta dish is ready in about 25 minutes.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp, such as U20-25 shrimp or larger, work best. Tails are often left on for presentation, but you can remove them before cooking if preferred. Fresh shrimp is ideal, though frozen shrimp also works well as long as it is thawed and patted dry.
• Kosher Salt: Morton kosher salt is used in this recipe. If you use table salt instead, reduce the amount because table salt is finer and saltier by volume.
• Red Chili Flakes: Use 1/4 teaspoon for mild heat or 1/2 teaspoon for a spicier sauce. You can omit them if you are sensitive to spice.
• Broth: Vegetable broth or chicken broth replaces the wine. It adds savory flavor and helps create the sauce.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest bring the acidity that balances the butter and shrimp.

The complete ingredient list with exact amounts is included in the recipe card below.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

Quick Overview

• Season the shrimp.
• Bring salted water to a boil.
• Sear the shrimp.
• Remove the shrimp from the skillet.
• Sauté the shallots, garlic, and chili flakes.
• Deglaze the pan with broth.
• Cook the angel hair pasta.
• Toss the pasta, sauce, shrimp, and parsley together.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with kosher salt, granulated garlic, and freshly ground black pepper. While you prepare the shrimp, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.

Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the olive oil.

Step 3: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, just until the shrimp are cooked through. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon of the cold butter to the skillet.

Step 5: Add the finely diced shallots and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Step 6: Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant.

Step 7: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth to deglaze the skillet. Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then simmer until the broth has reduced by about half. Lower the heat and add the lemon juice and zest.

Step 8: Boil the angel hair pasta according to the package directions. For the best texture, cook it for the shortest recommended time. Reserve some pasta water before draining. While the pasta cooks, stir the remaining cold butter into the sauce until it becomes glossy.

Step 9: Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce. Add a small splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Gently fold in the shrimp and fresh parsley, then serve immediately.

Recipe Serving Suggestions

This shrimp scampi recipe without wine is delicious as a main course, but it also pairs well with simple sides. A crisp green salad helps balance the richness of the butter sauce, while warm bread is perfect for soaking up any extra garlic lemon sauce. Roasted vegetables, glazed carrots, green beans, dinner rolls, or garlic bread also make great additions.

• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls
• Parmesan rosemary bread
• Green salad
• Glazed carrots
• Green beans

Expert Tips

• Pat the shrimp dry. Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp sear instead of steam. This gives them a better texture and a lightly golden exterior.
• Salt the pasta water. Well-salted water seasons the noodles as they cook. Do not add oil to the water because it can prevent the sauce from clinging to the pasta.
• Use cold butter. Cold butter helps emulsify the sauce, making it smoother and slightly thicker.
• Set a timer for the pasta. Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly. Cooking it until al dente keeps it from becoming gummy and helps leftovers hold their texture.
• Add pasta water slowly. The starch in pasta water helps loosen the sauce while keeping it silky. Add only a little at a time so the sauce does not become watery.

Additions & Variations

• Gluten-free – Use gluten-free angel hair pasta in place of regular pasta.
• Vegan – Replace the shrimp with artichoke hearts, use non-dairy butter, and choose vegetable broth.
• Chicken – Chicken can be used instead of shrimp. Increase the cooking time as needed and use a meat thermometer to confirm it is fully cooked.
• Dried herbs – Fresh parsley gives the best flavor, but dried parsley can be used in a pinch. Start with half the amount because dried herbs are more concentrated.

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Easy Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

Brianna May

This easy shrimp scampi recipe without wine is made with shrimp, fresh parsley, lemon, garlic, broth, and a creamy butter sauce. It is rich, bright, slightly spicy, and quick enough for a weeknight dinner.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Equipment

• Large skillet or shallow Dutch oven
• Citrus squeezer
• Microplane grater

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 Tablespoons salted butter, cold
• 2 small shallots, finely diced
• 8-10 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 lemon, juiced & zested
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 8 ounces angel hair pasta

Instructions

• In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
• Place the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
• Add the shallots and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
• Add the minced garlic and chili flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
• Deglaze the skillet with the broth, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Simmer until reduced by half, then lower the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest.
• Cook the angel hair pasta according to the package directions, using the shortest suggested time. Reserve some pasta water. While the pasta cooks, stir the remaining cold butter into the sauce until glossy.
• Toss the pasta with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen it. Gently toss in the shrimp and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Shrimp: Use jumbo shrimp if possible. Fresh shrimp works best, but thawed frozen shrimp can also be used.
• Kosher Salt: If using table salt, reduce the amount.
• Red Chili Flakes: Adjust the amount to your spice preference or omit them for a milder dish.
• Pat the shrimp dry. This helps them sear evenly and improves their texture.
• Use cold butter. Cold butter helps create a smooth, glossy scampi sauce.
• Do not overcook the pasta. Angel hair cooks quickly, so set a timer and aim for al dente.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 50g
|
Protein: 32g
|
Fat: 20g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.