Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine
This easy Shrimp Scampi recipe is made without wine for a family-friendly meal. It’s a healthy, low carb recipe made with zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
For more dinner ideas, check out my Chicken Satay Recipe and Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup. And try my Wacky Cake for dessert!
Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine
Shrimp scampi includes succulent shrimp swimming in a rich garlic butter sauce. It usually contains some white wine but maybe you want a no-alcohol version due to diet or kids. Whatever the reason, I’m here to show you how to make the best shrimp scampi with or without wine!
Why We Love This Shrimp Recipe
Easy: This is an easy one pot recipe. Everything comes together in the slow cooker for hands-off meal prep.
Healthy: Skip the linguine and opt for low carb zucchini noodles instead.
Versatile: We have delicious substitutes so you can make shrimp scampi without wine.
Do I need alcohol for shrimp scampi?
You don’t need alcohol to make shrimp scampi. White wine is usually added for depth of flavor but you can easily replace it with a broth instead.
Ingredients
Frozen shrimp: Use peeled and de-veined frozen shrimp. There’s no need to thaw them; they can go straight into the slow cooker.
Salted butter: It’s not shrimp scampi if there’s no butter. This gives the sauce that smooth, velvety texture.
Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the creamy sauce with savory flavor.
Bone broth, veggie broth, or white wine: These liquids add depth and complexity to the sauce. Bone broth brings a rich, umami flavor, vegetable broth keeps it light and herbaceous, and white wine offers a bright, acidic touch that balances the richness of the butter. Use whichever you prefer.
Olive oil: Mixing this in prevents the butter from burning.
Red pepper flakes: This adds a pop of heat.
Sea salt and black pepper: Keep the seasoning simple so the other flavors can shine through.
Zucchini: Spiralized zucchini, or "zoodles," add a fresh, light component. They absorb flavors well and offer a pleasant, noodle-like texture without the heaviness of traditional pasta. I prefer their texture and flavor in the slow cooker instead of sautéed because they absorb the sauce a lot better.
Check out the recipe card below for measurements.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi without Wine
Gather all the ingredients, excluding the zucchini noodles, and place them into the slow cooker. Cover the cooker and set it to cook for 2 hours on the hot setting.
Once the initial cooking time is up, carefully remove the lid and gently stir in the spiralized zucchini noodles.
Allow the dish to continue cooking for an additional 30-40 minutes, adjusting the time according to your preferred zoodle texture and ensuring the shrimp reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
When everything is cooked to perfection, garnish your shrimp scampi with fresh parsley, a splash of lemon juice, and any extra spices.
Tips for the Best Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Do not thaw the shrimp. Even in a slow cooker, shrimp can become rubbery if overcooked. Adding the shrimp while frozen allows you to better control the cooking process, ensuring they turn out perfectly tender.
Use high quality butter and oil. Both ingredients provide a lot of flavor and enrich the sauce so use the good stuff!
Don’t add the zucchini noodles too soon. To prevent the zoodles from becoming too soggy, add them during the last 30-40 minutes of cooking. This will ensure they maintain some texture and absorb the flavors of the sauce without disintegrating.
Not feeling the zucchini noodles? Use spaghetti, angel hair pasta, fettuccini, or linguine instead.
Storage
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. However I suggest eating it the same day or within 24 hours because as it sits, the zoodles will absorb more liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can substitute white wine in shrimp scampi with bone, chicken, or vegetable broth to maintain depth of flavor without the alcohol content. Alternatively, you can use a combination of lemon juice and a splash of vinegar to add acidity and brightness to the dish.
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The food chain restaurant’s sauce includes butter, onions, garlic, white wine, chicken stock, and herbs.
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Scampi is the Italian word for tiny crustaceans. In the United States, we use shrimp for this dish because its readily available.
Shrimp Scampi Recipe Without Wine
Ingredients
- 3 pounds frozen, peeled and de-veined shrimp
- 10 tablespoons of salted butter
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup bone broth, veggie broth, or white wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large zucchinis, spiraled
Instructions
- Begin by placing all ingredients (except for the zucchini noodles) into the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook for 2 hours on the hot setting.
- After 2 hours, remove the lid and stir in the spiralized zucchini noodles.
- Continue cooking for an additional 30-40 minutes, depending on your desired zoodle texture, or until the shrimp reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Once cooked to perfection, top your shrimp scampi with fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and additional spices if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
