Introduction

Savor the bright and buttery flavors of this Shrimp Scampi Appetizer, perfect for entertaining or a quick seafood treat. Tender shrimp cooked in garlic, citrus, and white wine make for an irresistible bite-sized starter.

Lemon-Lime Shrimp Scampi Appetizer Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 lemon
2 limes
2 Tbsp. light white wine
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

Step 1: Zest the lemon and limes, then juice them to yield 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Combine the zest, juices, and white wine in a small bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until warm.
Step 3: Add the smashed garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the shrimp and salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn just opaque in the center, approximately 3 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in the sliced scallions and the citrus-wine mixture. Cook, stirring, until the liquid barely comes to a boil.
Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Adjust salt to taste.
Step 7: Transfer the shrimp and sauce to a serving dish and serve warm with toothpicks for easy eating.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture.
For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.
Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
To make it gluten-free, ensure your white wine is gluten-free certified.

Storage

Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp. It’s best enjoyed fresh but can be served cold over a salad if preferred.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the skillet.

What can I substitute for the white wine?

You can replace white wine with chicken broth or a mixture of water and lemon juice for a non-alcoholic option that still provides flavor and acidity.

Lemon-Lime Shrimp Scampi Appetizer Recipe

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4.5 from 84 reviews

A zesty and buttery Shrimp Scampi appetizer featuring fresh lemon and lime juices, garlic, and scallions. Quick to prepare and perfect for entertaining, this dish combines succulent shrimp sautéed in olive oil and butter with bright citrus and a hint of white wine for a refreshing start to any meal.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Citrus and Wine Mixture

1 lemon
2 limes
2 Tbsp light white wine

Cooking and Seasoning

2 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp (½ stick) butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1¼ 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 them to yield 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Combine the zest, lemon juice, lime juice, and white wine in a small bowl and set aside.
Heat Oil and Butter: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and warm the olive oil 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-Wine: Stir in the sliced scallions and the prepared citrus-wine mixture. Cook, stirring, until the liquid just starts to boil gently, ensuring the flavors meld.
Finish with Butter and Seasoning: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and fully combined. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt to taste if necessary.
Serve: Transfer the shrimp scampi mixture to a serving dish. Provide toothpicks for easy appetizer serving and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Use large shrimp for the best texture and presentation.
Butter should be divided to add a rich finish at the end for extra flavor and silkiness.
Serving immediately ensures the shrimp retain their optimal texture and temperature.
Can be served with crusty bread or crackers for dipping into the flavorful sauce.
Adjust salt according to taste preferences, especially if pairing with salted crackers or bread.

Keywords: shrimp scampi, appetizer, citrus shrimp, garlic shrimp, lemon lime shrimp, easy seafood appetizer