Name: Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and split down the back, veins removed; Kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 4 tablespoons (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more as needed; 4 teaspoons (25g) minced garlic (4 to 5 medium cloves); Pinch red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup (120ml) dry vermouth; 3 tablespoons (45g) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces; 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon (4g) lemon zest from 1 lemon; 2 teaspoons (6g) minced parsley, tarragon, and chives

If you’ve been hunting for that perfectly balanced, restaurant-quality seafood dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests, then look no further! I absolutely love how this Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe bursts with vibrant flavors from fresh herbs, tangy lemon, and a gentle kick from red pepper flakes. When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how silky the sauce turned out using vermouth instead of white wine—trust me, it’s a game changer. Stick with me, and I’ll share everything you need to nail this one every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bursting with Fresh Herbs and Citrus: The combination of parsley, tarragon, chives, and lemon zest brightens the dish in a beautiful way.
Silky Vermouth-Butter Sauce: Using vermouth adds a subtle complexity that elevates the classic scampi sauce.
Quick and Easy to Make: This recipe comes together fast—perfect if you want a delicious meal without hours in the kitchen.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s a casual dinner or a special occasion, this shrimp dish never disappoints.

The image shows a close-up of a pan filled with cooked shrimp in a light yellow sauce. The shrimp are pink and white with orange tails, evenly spread within the pan. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled throughout the shrimp and sauce, adding specks of color. The sauce looks smooth and slightly thick, coating the shrimp gently. The pan is round and the food fills the frame with no background visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce, Shrimp Scampi, Garlic Shrimp Recipes, Seafood Dinner Ideas, Easy Shrimp Recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe plays a critical role, from the fresh shrimp to the fragrant herbs and tangy lemon. When picking your shrimp, I recommend going for fresh, large shrimp that are peeled and deveined to save prep time. Also, fresh herbs will make or break the dish here, so skip the dried if you can.

Flat lay of large raw shrimp with shells off and split, a small heap of coarse kosher salt crystals, a few coarse baking soda grains, a small white bowl of golden extra-virgin olive oil, a simple white bowl filled with peeled whole garlic cloves, a tiny pile of vibrant red pepper flakes, a small white bowl holding clear pale dry vermouth, several small cubes of unsalted butter on a white plate, a fresh whole lemon with a wedge cut showing bright yellow zest, and a small white bowl containing finely chopped bright green parsley, tarragon, and chives, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce, Shrimp Scampi, Garlic Shrimp Recipes, Seafood Dinner Ideas, Easy Shrimp Recipes

Large Shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp ensure tender bites; splitting them down the back helps them absorb the marinade.
Kosher Salt: This seasoning is gentler and perfect for evenly coating the shrimp without overpowering.
Baking Soda: This little trick helps tenderize the shrimp and keeps them juicy.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used for sautéing—choose a good-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives that punchy, aromatic base to the sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch adds a subtle spicy warmth without overwhelming the dish.
Dry Vermouth: I swapped out white wine for this, and it imparts a unique herbal note that pairs beautifully with the shrimp.
Unsalted Butter: Added in pieces and swirled into the sauce to create that luscious, velvety finish.
Lemon Juice and Zest: Essential for brightening and cutting through the richness of the butter sauce.
Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Tarragon, Chives): The trio adds layers of fresh, herby aroma that makes this dish stand out.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe my own by swapping in whatever herbs I have on hand or adjusting the spice level. It’s a flexible recipe that invites your creativity!

Herb Swaps: If you don’t have tarragon or chives, fresh basil or cilantro can be delightful substitutes. I once tried dill, and it gave a lovely fresh twist.
Heat Level: For more kick, double the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne. My family enjoys mild spice, but I like to turn it up a notch for dinner parties.
Wine Alternative: If you don’t have dry vermouth, a dry white wine can work too—but vermouth makes the sauce silkier in my experience.
Serving Style: Try tossing the shrimp with pasta or even over creamy polenta for a comforting change.

How to Make Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp for Maximum Tenderness

Start by tossing your peeled and deveined shrimp with kosher salt and a small pinch of baking soda—the baking soda is my secret weapon for tender, juicy shrimp that feel almost silky. Let them rest in this mixture for at least 10 minutes, but if you have the time, an hour in the fridge gives even better results. This little patience pays off big when you bite into perfectly cooked shrimp later.

Step 2: Sear the Shrimp Quickly

Heat most of your olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until it sparkles. Adding shrimp in batches helps each piece get that gorgeous slight golden sear without overcrowding. It only takes about 2 minutes per batch—shrimp cook super fast, and you want to pull them right when they’re pink and just starting to turn golden. Overcooking is the biggest mistake here; shrimp get rubbery fast, and I definitely learned that the hard way!

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Sauce

Add the remaining olive oil along with minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook this gently while stirring until the garlic just begins to turn golden—watch carefully, because garlic can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. Then pour in the dry vermouth. Let it boil hard, scraping the pan to release all those browned bits—the flavor here is unreal. Reduce the vermouth by half, which should take about 3 minutes. Next, melt in chunks of cold butter off the heat, swirling the pan rapidly to emulsify the sauce into a silky finish.

Step 4: Finish with Lemon, Herbs, and Shrimp

Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and a little salt to balance flavors. Return to medium heat and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly. If it looks like it’s breaking, don’t panic—I discovered that whisking in a teaspoon or two of water rescues the sauce every time. Toss your shrimp back in along with your freshly minced parsley, tarragon, chives, and lemon zest. Give it a final quick toss until the shrimp are warmed through and lounging in that luscious sauce. Serve immediately—you’re gonna love this!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe

Don’t Skip the Baking Soda: It’s a small addition that tenderizes shrimp beautifully, making a huge difference in texture.
High Heat is Key: Cooking shrimp quickly on high heat helps develop flavor and prevents them from getting rubbery.
Control Garlic Color: Watch your garlic closely and stir constantly to avoid burnt garlic—it turns bitter fast.
Rescue Your Sauce: If the butter sauce splits, a little warm water and whisking brings it back to silky goodness every time.

How to Serve Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe

A white plate holds a simple dish of spaghetti pasta mixed with cooked shrimp. The spaghetti noodles are a pale yellow color, intertwined across the plate in soft loops. Plump shrimp with pinkish-orange tails are scattered evenly on top and within the pasta. Small pieces of green herbs are sprinkled over the dish, adding bits of bright green color. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce, Shrimp Scampi, Garlic Shrimp Recipes, Seafood Dinner Ideas, Easy Shrimp Recipes

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley and a few extra twists of lemon zest—these little touches add freshness and a pop of color. Sometimes I even add a few microgreens for a pretty, gourmet touch if I’m serving company.

Side Dishes

My favorite way to serve Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe is alongside a simple linguine tossed lightly in olive oil or butter, soaking up every bit of that sauce. Roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad also pair perfectly to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For something fun, I’ve served the shrimp over garlic bread slices, turning it into a shareable, hands-on appetizer platter. It’s always a hit at gatherings! Another idea is plating it in individual shallow bowls topped with edible flowers for a fancy dinner vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and try to enjoy within 1-2 days. The shrimp stay tender, and the sauce flavors get even deeper. Just avoid mixing with pasta until reheating to keep textures spot on.

Freezing

Freezing shrimp scampi can be a bit tricky since the butter sauce changes texture, but I’ve frozen just the cooked shrimp and thawed them later to toss with fresh sauce made from scratch—this keeps everything tasting fresh.

Reheating

When reheating, I gently warm leftovers in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or lemon juice to loosen the sauce. High heat tends to toughen the shrimp, so slow and steady is the way to go.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely in the fridge overnight and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture, which can prevent proper searing. Using fresh shrimp gives the best texture, but good-quality frozen shrimp works well too.
What is the difference between using vermouth and white wine in this recipe?

Vermouth adds a slightly sweet, herbal complexity that white wine lacks, which makes the sauce silkier and more layered in flavor. That said, if you don’t have vermouth handy, a dry white wine is a fine substitute, just expect a slightly less nuanced taste.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning in the sauce?

Keep the heat moderate once you add the garlic and stir it constantly. Garlic cooks quickly and can turn bitter if burnt, so watch closely and remove from heat as soon as it’s just golden and fragrant.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce base ahead, but I recommend adding the shrimp and herbs just before serving to retain that fresh, vibrant flavor and tender texture. Reheating shrimp too much can make them chewy.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Herb Sauce Recipe has become such a staple in my kitchen because it strikes this perfect balance of elegance and ease. Every time I make it, I’m reminded how simple ingredients transformed with a few thoughtful steps can create something truly special. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how much your family or friends will swoon over those garlicky, buttery, herby shrimp. Believe me, this one is going to become a fast favorite in your dinner rotation!