Italian-American · Mains
Shrimp Scampi With Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes, and Herbs
To get the most flavor in this shrimp scampi, we use vermouth instead of white wine and a mix of fragrant herbs—parsley, tarragon, and chives—instead of just parsley.
Ingredients
Serves 4- 1pound large shrimp, peeled and split down the back, veins removed
- Kosher salt
- ¼teaspoon baking soda
- 4tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more as needed
- 4teaspoons minced garlic (4 to 5 medium cloves)
- red pepper flakes
- ½ cupdry vermouth
- 3tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
- 1tablespoon fresh juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 1 lemon
- 2teaspoons minced parsley, tarragon, and chives
Method
- 01
In a large bowl, toss together shrimp with 3/4 teaspoon (3g) kosher salt and baking soda until evenly coated. Let stand for at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour.
- 02
In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil over high heat until shimmering. Add half of shrimp in an even layer and cook, stirring and turning shrimp occasionally, until pink, barely cooked through, and just starting to turn lightly golden in spots, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, flexible slotted offset spatula, or tongs, transfer shrimp to a plate. Repeat with remaining shrimp, adding more oil if necessary. Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
- 03
Add remaining 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil to skillet along with garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until garlic is just starting to turn golden, about 1 minute; lower heat if necessary to prevent scorching. Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
- 04
Add vermouth and boil over high heat, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until raw alcohol smell is mostly gone and vermouth has reduced by about half, about 3 minutes. Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
- 05
Add butter and cook, stirring and swirling pan rapidly as butter melts to create a silky, emulsified sauce. Remove from heat, add lemon juice, and season with salt. Return to medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. (If sauce breaks, whisk in a teaspoon or two of water until sauce emulsifies again.) Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
- 06
Return shrimp to skillet, add herbs and lemon zest, and toss until shrimp are coated in sauce and warmed through. Serve immediately. Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik