Skip the restaurant and make this insanely delicious Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi recipe right in your own kitchen! Considering all the hype, it is surprisingly effortless to make -- you can make it perfectly yourself every time.
This easy shrimp recipe has only 5 ingredients, and after marinating the shrimp (a highly recommended step) it only takes 6 minutes to make! Most shrimp scampi recipes are naturally gluten-free, and this one is no exception.
The best time to make dairy-free shrimp scampi is... all the time! It's simple, it's classy, it's made to impress, so it's perfect for date nights, weeknights, and holidays like Valentine's Day, birthdays, and New Year's Eve.
We love to impress guests with a restaurant-style recipe made right at home.
Pair it with Sauteed Onions and Peppers and linguine or angel hair pasta for a full meal. Then end the meal with a super simple but truly decadent Thick Italian Hot Chocolate, Dairy-Free Tiramisu, Dairy Free Brownies, or Dairy-Free Gelato!
For more easy shrimp recipes, check out my Easy Shrimp Paella Recipe, Shrimp Stir-Fry, and Blackened Shrimp Tacos!
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How to make it (with photos)
Ingredients Notes + Substitutions
This 5 ingredient dairy-free shrimp scampi recipe is simple and full of flavor. You'll enjoy how quickly it comes together and all the ways you can serve it!
Mix in some peppers, zucchini, or snap peas for a delicious shrimp and vegetable scampi dish.
- Shrimp - Use large and uncooked, shelled, and deveined shrimp. Remove the tails if serving in pasta or cooking with vegetables. You can leave them on if they're a finger food. Raw frozen shrimp work perfectly in this recipe, but thaw them completely first.
- Olive oil - An olive oil and butter combination is classic, but I find that just olive oil alone tastes great! You can substitute for another oil of choice, use an oil and dairy-free butter combination, or simply use dairy-free butter.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic cloves are best. Freeze dried garlic is a great substitute when in a pinch. And sliced green onions can substitute if you can't eat garlic.
- Dry white wine - Wine adds a delicate flavor and makes that classic scampi sauce. See the sections below for tips on which wines to choose or how to make shrimp scampi without wine.
- Lemon - A fresh squeeze of lemon juice adds a bright, zesty pop of flavor.
See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients with quantities.
The Secret Ingredient
Before we get started, I'll let you in on the real secret to a phenomenal, restaurant-style shrimp scampi -- it's a splash of white wine to add a little sophistication and that classic flavor.
On a chef's note, that little bit of wine also helps to deglaze the pan quickly making cooking and clean-up a breeze.
What type of wine is best for shrimp scampi?
Shrimp scampi is best with a dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. A mild, classic flavor is best so it does not overpower the delicate seafood flavor.
If sampling wines ahead of time, one with citrus undertones makes an excellent pairing in the dish and also to drink while enjoying your meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
There are only two steps to this easy gluten-free and dairy-free shrimp scampi recipe!
Marinade: Marinade the shrimp in olive oil and garlic for 30 minutes.
Cook: Heat a skillet to medium-high heat and add the shrimp, marinade, and wine. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Enjoy hot!
Hint: Remove from the heat once the shrimp have finished cooking to prevent them from becoming rubbery. Serve immediately with freshly ground black pepper.
Serve this dairy and gluten-free shrimp scampi by itself, over gluten free pasta, rice, or tossed in a light salad. For an extra bite, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Make it without wine
To make shrimp scampi without white wine, simply leave the wine out! The recipe is still delicious and full of flavor. For a little extra flavor, consider adding fresh parsley or another Italian herb of choice. And to keep that extra zing of acidity, add extra lemon juice before serving!
Fun Fact: Since alcohol has a lower boiling temperature than water, the alcohol content of shrimp scampi boils out quickly and is nearly zero! If you do decide to add a little cooking wine for flavor, you will notice lots of bubbles as the alcohol quickly boils off. You'll see this same bubbling when adding wine to our delicious Vegan Vodka Pasta recipe!
How to serve it with pasta
This dairy-free shrimp scampi is perfect tossed in freshly cooked linguine pasta for a classic pairing. Top with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice right before serving!
What to serve with shrimp scampi
While Shrimp Scampi is often served as an appetizer or finger food all on its own, you can also serve it with any of the following combinations to make a full meal:
- Sauteed Peppers and onions
- Linguine or another pasta
- Steamed rice
- Risotto
- Gnocchi
- Zoodles (zucchini noodles)
- Polenta
- Crusty Bread like this Gluten-Free French Baguette or Simple Gluten-Free Artisan Bread
- Italian Minestrone Soup
Expert Tips
Make restaurant-quality dairy-free shrimp scampi on the first try with these expert tips!
Always add lemon juice at the end of a recipe, just before serving!
The flavor and fragrance of lemon juice is easily destroyed by heat, so you want to add it just before eating.
Use a thermometer.
Since shrimp cook so quickly, it's easy to overcook them. While 120 degrees F is often listed as the appropriate internal temperature for cooking tender shrimp, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
I find using a thermometer to check the internal temperature is the best way to cook shrimp safely without over-cooking.
Recipe FAQs
Here I answered some frequently asked questions about this Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi recipe. Don't see your question? Leave it in the comments at the end of this post and I'll answer within two business days.
Store leftover dairy-free shrimp scampi in a shallow air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best taste, reheat in a skillet, stirring frequently, until shrimp are your desired serving temperature but no longer (you don't want to overcook them).
Top with more lemon juice before serving since heat diminishes the delicate flavor of the lemon juice.
While butter and parmesan cheese are part of some restaurant-style shrimp scampi recipes, they are not necessary. Olive oil is fine on it's own without butter, and cheese is not an authentic ingredient in shrimp scampi.
Fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes both taste excellent with a classic dairy-free shrimp scampi recipe. You can also add a little paprika or smoked paprika for extra spice.
Related dairy-free shrimp recipes to consider...
Look for more dairy-free shrimp recipes like this dairy-free shrimp scampi? Check these out:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card or comment field below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe
Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 15 large uncooked shrimp shell off and de-veined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 4 lemon wedges for serving
- ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper plus more to taste
Instructions
- Marinade the shrimp in olive oil and garlic for 30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet to medium-high heat and add the shrimp, marinade, and wine.
- Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Enjoy hot!
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
Tips to make dairy-free shrimp scampi according to FDA food safety standards:
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 145 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat and fish
- Wash hands after touching raw meat and fish
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Cori says
If you’re looking at several dairy free shrimp scampi recipes, this is the one you wanna make! The wine and the lemon make them really delish.
Pia says
Such an easy classic. Made this for company and everyone loved it! Will be making it soon for myself (probably with rice this time), and enough to have leftovers!
Lillian says
This was perfect! I left the tails on and sprinkled with a bit of dairy free Parmesan for an appetizer. They were delicious!
Creta says
Really easy! I didn’t know that most scampis had butter. I couldn’t tell this wasn’t from a restaurant. I’ll be making it again!
Abbi says
Easy and impressive! I added a little bit of reserved pasta water and some chopped parsley to make a sauce for pasta. Perfection!
Pria says
Perfect! I agree that the wine makes it restaurant style quality. Saved it to make again!
Alma says
These are delicious! So simple and the wine makes it really special.
Jamie says
Thank you for the review Alma! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.