Lemon-Lime Shrimp Scampi Appetizer Recipe
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.
- 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
