This garlic butter shrimp scampi recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. The classic scampi sauce, made with garlic, butter, white wine, and lemon juice, comes together in minutes. You’ll love it!.
Our family loves this garlic butter shrimp scampi recipe. It’s so quick to make and tastes incredible. Serve these garlicky shrimp as an appetizer, with toasted or grilled bread or over pasta.
This is a classic recipe for shrimp scampi. If you love the classic but want to try a fun twist, try our cilantro lime butter shrimp!.
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish that combines succulent shrimp garlic butter, white wine and herbs. With its bright, briny and garlicky flavors, what wine should you pair with this popular shrimp recipe?
As a wine and food enthusiast always seeking the perfect pairings, I did some research on the best wine varietals and styles that complement shrimp scampi’s signature flavors. Whether you’re dining out or cooking this buttery garlic shrimp at home, consider these wines to make the flavors sing.
Lean Towards Light, Crisp Whites
In general, light-bodied white wines work best with shrimp scampi’s delicate seafood flavors. The brightness from acidic whites cuts through the dish’s rich butter and balances the garlic’s punch Full-bodied oaky whites and bold reds tend to overwhelm scampi’s flavors. Lean towards these vibrant whites
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay (unoaked style)
- Pinot Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Riesling
- Vinho Verde
- Soave
- Vermentino
Within these varietals, choose crisp, high-acid examples with bright fruit flavors and minimal oak influence. Now let’s explore the best options in more detail.
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris – #1 Pairing
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio the same grape with slightly different styles, is likely the best wine pairing for shrimp scampi. The high acidity cuts through butter while fruity flavors complement the garlic and herbs. Choose a dry Italian Pinot Grigio or an aromatic Alsatian Pinot Gris.
Pinot Blanc
Underrated Pinot Blanc has medium body with bright citrus and apple notes that accent scampi nicely. This dry white has good acidity to match the shrimp and sauce. Pinot Blanc from Italy, Germany or Alsace are all good bets.
Sauvignon Blanc
With its trademark zesty acidity and grassy, citrus notes, Sauvignon Blanc is another foolproof option for shrimp scampi. Cool-climate, unoaked styles from New Zealand or northern Italy have the liveliest fruit flavors to complement the seafood.
Chardonnay – Go Unoaked
While oaky, buttery Chardonnay can overpower scampi, unoaked styles have bright apple flavors and medium body that pair nicely with the shrimp. Choose a lighter Italian Chardonnay or unoaked Chablis for a crisp mineral match.
Chenin Blanc
Underappreciated Chenin Blanc works well with its vibrant acidity, green apple fruit and hint of honeyed richness to handle scampi’s butter. Opt for a dry Vouvray from the Loire Valley.
Riesling – A Versatile Match
Riesling may be the most versatile white for scampi. Dry styles have bracing acidity, while sweeter Rieslings echo the shrimp’s briny sweetness. German Kabinett or Spätlese Rieslings are great options.
Consider a Light Red
While most reds overpower scampi, lighter-bodied ones can complement the seafood nicely. Go for low-tannin styles like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese or Rioja Crianza. The soft red fruits and touch of earthiness work nicely with shrimp. Stick to cooler climate regions for the most finesse.
What to Avoid
Skip full-bodied oaky whites that will overwhelm scampi, like overly ripe Chardonnay, white Bordeaux, and Rhône whites. Avoid heavier reds like Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah, which have tannins that clash with delicate shrimp. Sweet wines are also too cloying for the briny seafood.
Tips for Picking the Perfect Wine
Here are some final tips for selecting the ideal shrimp scampi wine pairing:
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Match wine’s acidity to the garlic’s punch and butter’s richness
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Complement the seafood with fruity, mineral white wines
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Consider region – Italian and French whites pair beautifully
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Drink young, fresh wines – avoid oaky or sweet styles
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Weight matters – stick with light to medium-bodied wines
The next time you’re enjoying shrimp bathed in garlic, butter and wine, use these pairings to make sure your wine choice elevates the flavors. What’s your favorite shrimp scampi wine match? I’d love to hear your top pairing suggestions in the comments!
How to Make Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is a quick and easy dish. Start by cooking your aromatics in olive oil until they smell good. Some ideas are shallots, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Next, add your shrimp to the pan. Shrimp cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them. They’re done when they turn pink and opaque, usually within a few minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside.
Now, it’s time to deglaze the pan. Add a little white wine and fresh lemon juice. To get as much of the flavor as possible, scrape up any browned bits that are stuck to the bottom.
Finally, finish the sauce by swirling in butter and a handful of chopped fresh parsley. The butter melts into the wine and lemon juice, making a garlic butter sauce for the shrimp that is unbelievably tasty.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
What wine goes with shrimp scampi?
Pairing wine with shrimp scampi is easier than people think. It’s an incredibly versatile dish. In its traditional Italian form, scampi or langoustines, are cooked in a sauce of olive oil, butter, white wine, and garlic. It’s eaten as is, ideally with crusty Italian bread to soak up all those rich flavors (swoon).
What wine goes well with shrimp?
Pin for Later! This high acid wine is one of the most planted grape varieties in the world. It’s almost always made as a dry wine. And it’s a perfect match for this buttery, garlicky shrimp dish. Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white wine, meaning it’s got powerful aromas. And it packs a flavorful punch.
What is shrimp scampi?
After all, in its most traditional form, shrimp scampi is a dish of tender shrimp cooked in olive oil, butter, white wine, and garlic. Fresh lemon juice is often used to impart subtle tartness and complement the shrimp. Each of these components is perfectly matched for a variety of refreshing white and even red wines.
Is Sauvignon blanc good for shrimp scampi?
Sauvignon Blanc is known for having bright citrus, green fruit, and grassy flavors, making it a fun and refreshing pairing choice for shrimp scampi, especially one with a ton of garlic flavor. The best examples of Sauvignon Blanc come from the Loire Valley of France, New Zealand, and California.