Shrimp Scampi Recipe Without Wine

Garlic, buttery, shrimp scampi is a treat for the entire family. You can serve shrimp scampi as an appetizer or combine with pasta for a full meal. Either way, they are very delicious and better than a restaurant option.

The shrimp scampi is very easy to make, and within 10 minutes you will have a satisfying meal. Shrimp is very easy to cook and needs only two minutes per side.

The beauty of this recipe is that you do not need any fancy ingredients. With this one, you will not have to go treasure hunting through your pantry or fridge.

Usually, wine is added as a cooking liquid, and to give a bit of flavor, but this recipe does not require wine.

I have created a simple shrimp scampi without wine that is bursting with flavor!

What is shrimp scampi?

Shrimp scampi is an Italian-American dish cooked in a buttery garlic sauce with a splash of flavorful liquid. In this recipe, we use chicken stock.

Thanks to Italian immigrants, this dish became popular all over the states and from that point somehow spread all over the world.

The classic Italian scampi are sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and white wine, while the American version uses butter. That is the only difference between these two versions. 

Should you use frozen or fresh shrimp?

Shrimps are tiny lobster-like crustaceans, with pale pink shells. You can find these fresh or frozen, cleaned or in a shell.

I strongly advise you to go and buy some fresh shrimps at the fish market, as these are bursting in flavor.

You can go and get some already cleaned ones, but cleaning the shrimp shells has its own magic. If you are cleaning these in the comfort of your home, make sure you devein each shrimp.

Once the shrimps are ready, it is time to think how to substitute the white wine.

What are the best substitutes for white wine?

As mentioned above, white wine is used as a cooking liquid and to add a bit of flavor. There are some great substitutions for white wine in shrimp scampi.

The first substitute, which I used in this recipe, is chicken stock.

Chicken stock has a very mild taste and pairs perfectly with shrimp. Hopefully, this eases any fears you may have about the stock overpowering the shrimp.

If you do not have stock, or just want to try something new, you can go with the unsweetened grape juice.

If your pantry is kind of empty, even plain water will be sufficient in a pinch.

If you want some more inspiration before making your shrimp scampi, you might be interested in our article: The Best Seasoning For Shrimp.

How do you make shrimp scampi?

As with any recipe, you will have to gather your ingredients. Make sure you are using fresh shrimps, as frozen ones are not the best option.

If you have ever bought fresh or frozen shrimps, you will easily spot the difference between these two: Fresh shrimp has a beautiful scent and color, while the frozen rather look very pale and almost scent-free. 

The second important part of this recipe is garlic. Now, I am not talking about the type of garlic, fresh cloves vs pre-minced, but the method of preparation.

Garlic has a tendency to burn easily, so keep an eye on it. The ideal cooking time is between 30 seconds up to a minute, which is when its time to add the shrimp or remove it from the heat.

If you are wondering why the garlic does not burn with the shrimp, the answer is simple: because of the liquid coming from the shrimp and the addition of the chicken stock. 

The chicken stock is our next hero. Do not use fish stock as you will not get the same results or beef stock as it simply does not pair with the seafood. Go with chicken or vegetable stock. 

As a final touch, you can sprinkle the shrimps with chopped parsley or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy version. 

How To Make Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

Step 1

Gather your ingredients.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 2

Add shrimps and cook for 1 minute.

Add stock and lemon juice and simmer until the stock is reduced by half.

Make sure you do not overcook the shrimps as they will become rubbery. 

Step 3

Serve shrimps with chopped parsley. 

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