Tender shrimp in a buttery sauce, this low-carb meal is quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
Served in a white wine garlic butter sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese, this delicious Keto Shrimp Scampi is packed with flavor.
This classic dish can be made diary free, Paleo, and Whole 30 compatible.
Pair this traditional Italian-American dish with cauliflower rice, Zucchini Noodles, Spaghetti Squash noodles, or Keto Rolls.
Why You’ll Love this recipe
Delicious shrimp scampi tossed in a luxuriant sauce is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner or for a special occasion.
So versatile - can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or as the main dish.
Make it your own! Squeeze on lemon juice, drizzle olive oil, or sprinkle on cayenne pepper - this recipe can be customized to your taste.
Shrimp is a lean protein that is low in calories and high in nutrients, including B12 and Zinc.
Prepare this dish with high fat grass-fed butter, and you've got the perfect healthy meal for your keto diet.
A great way to whip up an elegant dish in under 20 minutes.
Recipe ingredients
- Shrimp, shelled and deveined – Medium to large raw shrimp with the tails on are recommended for this recipe. You can buy fresh or frozen shrimp.
- Avocado oil – This lighter oil has a high smoke point for sautéing. If you do not have this on hand, you can use extra virgin olive oil.
- Unsalted Butter – Grass fed butter is ideal for a keto lifestyle due to its higher fat content and optimal nutritional profile.
- Chopped onion – White, red, or yellow onions work for this recipe.
- Minced garlic – Freshly minced garlic is used in this recipe, delivering texture and pungent flavor.
- White wine – It is recommended to use a good quality white wine that you would also drink with dinner.
- Parmesan cheese – Fresh parmesan cheese provides a nutty, umami flavor to this dish.
- Fresh basil – Sprigs of fresh basil deliver an aromatic garnish.
- Salt – Any salt can be used, we prefer pink Himalayan salt for this dish.
- Black pepper – Fresh ground pepper delivers a stronger flavor profile.
If you have any questions about this easy recipe, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.
Step by step instructions
Season shrimp with salt and pepper, and set aside.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent.
Add shrimp into skillet and cook until light pink, approximately 90 seconds on each side.
Spoon the partially cooked shrimp into a dish and set aside while preserving the oil in the pan.
Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Do not overcook the garlic or allow it to brown.
Add white wine into skillet and cook for 30 seconds, then add butter. Allow sauce to reduce by simmering for 5 additional minutes.
Replace shrimp into the skillet and cook in sauce until fully done, about two minutes. Do not overcook shrimp, remove from pan when it reaches a medium firmness.
Remove shrimp and white wine garlic butter sauce to a shallow dish or bowl. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil as desired. Serve immediately.
For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card with nutritional information below.
Don't forget dessert! Try our Keto Lemon Cake or Keto No Bake Cheesecake. Need a quick sweet fix? Keto Mug Cake is ready in just over 5 minutes!
Best tips
Leave the tails on for two reasons. Easier to grab if served as an appetizer. Secondly, the shell of the shrimp adds a lot of flavor to the dish while it is being cooked.
Use a dry, crisp white wine to achieve the proper flavor notes in this garlic, butter, and white wine sauce. A good sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. Do not use cooking wine, you want something that you enjoy drinking.
Monitor your shrimp carefully to avoid overcooking, everyone loves tender shrimp.
Save time by buying already cleaned and prepped shrimp from your local grocery store.
For best results serve hot and fresh once removed from the skillet.
Substitutions
Butter - you can use Earth Balance Vegan Butter – With zero carbs and a blend of healthful oils, this vegan option melts beautifully and has a rich buttery flavor.
Removing the dairy from this shrimp scampi also makes it Paleo and Whole 30 compatible.
Parmesan Cheese - Use NOOCH IT Grated Cheese Alternative - For just under 3 grams of net carbs per tablespoon, this cashew based vegan cheese alternative is highly rated.
For a recipe to make your own 3 ingredient diary free Parmesan cheese alternative check out this article: Dairy Free Parmesan Cheese.
Wine - Use a vegetable, seafood or chicken broth.
Serving suggestions
Go classic and serve this dish with lemon slices and chopped fresh herbs.
Fold these seasoned juicy shrimp into our Almond Flour crepes for a savory meal any time of day.
Serve over Zucchini noodles or Sauteed Zucchini.
Dip our Keto Rolls into the flavorful garlic shrimp scampi sauce.
Serve with your favorite steak to create an indulgent surf and turf platter.
Pair this classic dish with chopped salad greens for lighter fare.
Variations
If you love lemon, add the juice of half of a large fresh lemon to the skillet as the last step, or serve with sliced lemon wedges.
Throw in some capers. They add a light briny flavor, perfect with shrimp scampi.
Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes will bring some heat.
Increase the nutritional value by adding spinach or cherry tomatoes.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze, spoon shrimp and garlic sauce into a compatibly sized freezer bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Place in freezer for up to 6 weeks.
To defrost place the freezer bag into the refrigerator to thaw.
When reheating cooked shrimp use caution to avoid overcooking. Allow leftover shrimp to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to take the chill off and toss with a splash of water or dollop of butter in a low to medium skillet for approximately 1 minute until heated through.
If you plan to use a microwave use a low heat setting for short bursts of 10 seconds, checking in between.
Related recipes to try
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📖 Recipe
Keto Shrimp Scampi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds of shrimp shelled and deveined
- 3 Tablespoons Avocado oil
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons chopped onion
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- ½ cup white wine
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 6 sprigs of fresh basil optional
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add shrimp into skillet and cook until light pink, approximately 90 seconds on each side.
- Spoon the partially cooked shrimp into a dish and set aside while preserving the oil in the pan.
- Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Do not overcook garlic or allow it to brown.
- Add white wine into skillet and cook for 30 seconds, then add butter. Allow sauce to reduce by simmering for 5 additional minutes.
- Replace shrimp into the skillet and cook in sauce until fully done, about two minutes. Do not overcook shrimp, remove from pan when it reaches a medium firmness.
- Remove shrimp and white wine butter sauce to a shallow dish or bowl. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil as desired. Serve immediately.
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