This easy keto shrimp scampi is a traditional Italian dish that involves cooking shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce with lemon and parsley. It is typically served with spaghetti, but for a keto-friendly variation, you can substitute zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
This dinner takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and has only 6 grams of net carbohydrates per serving. Every bite is filled with juicy shrimp, zesty lemon, and aromatic garlic.
Ingredients:
- Whole shrimp
- Minced garlic
- Red chili flakes
- Butter
- Cooking oil
- parsley for garnish
- Salt as needed
Wine replacement
- Water
- Apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- Sugar
Making The Keto Shrimp Scampi
If you’re using whole shrimp, you’ll need to peel, devein, and clean them first. Don’t throw away the shells and heads! These can be used to make a delicious shrimp stock later. Just put them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.
Once the shrimp are prepped, pat them dry with a paper towel. This will help them cook evenly.
Mince the garlic and parsley, and prepare your wine replacement. If you’re using a non-alcoholic wine replacement, be sure to choose one with a flavor that you like, as it will be a key component of the sauce.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil and butter are hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook them until they’re cooked through, which should take between 1 and 4 minutes per side depending on the size of the shrimp. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough and rubbery.
Once the shrimp are cooked through, remove them from the pan and set them aside for later.
To the same pan, add the minced garlic and chili flakes. Sauté them for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant.
Add your wine replacement to the pan and let it simmer until it’s reduced by half. This will help concentrate the flavors and thicken the sauce.
Add 2 tablespoons of cold butter to the pan and stir until it’s fully melted and combined with the sauce. This will help create a smooth and creamy emulsion. If you’re using unsalted butter, be sure to add salt as needed to bring out the flavors.
Add the cooked shrimp back to the pan and stir until they’re warmed through. Be careful not to cook them for too long, as this can cause the sauce to separate.
Garnish the dish with chopped parsley and serve it with a side salad and some crusty bread. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is shrimp good for ketosis?
Yes, shrimp is a great option for those on a ketogenic diet as it is low in carbs and high in protein.
Is shrimp scampi high in carbs?
Traditional shrimp scampi may be high in carbs due to the use of white wine and pasta. However, our Keto Shrimp Scampi recipe is low in carbs and keto-friendly.
How much shrimp can you have on keto?
The amount of shrimp you can have on keto depends on your individual macro goals. As a general guideline, 100g of shrimp contains about 0.2g of carbs, so it can be easily incorporated into a keto diet.
Are prawns allowed in keto?
Yes, prawns (also known as shrimp in some countries) are allowed on a keto diet as they are low in carbs and high in protein.
How many net carbs are in Keto Shrimp Scampi?
The number of net carbs in shrimp scampi varies depending on the recipe. However, our Keto Shrimp Scampi recipe contains only 2g net carbs per serving.
Why is it called scampi?
The term “scampi” originally referred to a type of Mediterranean lobster-like crustacean, but it is now commonly used to describe a dish made with large shrimp or prawns cooked in garlic butter and white wine sauce.
Is scampi the same as prawns?
In some countries, scampi refers to a specific type of crustacean, while in others it is used to describe a dish made with large shrimp or prawns. So, while scampi and prawns may be used interchangeably in some contexts, they are not the same thing.
Tools Needed:
- Knife and cutting board for mincing garlic and parsley
- Pan for frying shrimp and making the sauce
- Measuring spoons and cups for wine replacement ingredients
- Tongs or spatula for flipping shrimp during cooking
Keto Shrimp Scampi Recipe
This Keto Shrimp Scampi recipe is a delicious and healthy dish perfect for any occasion. It uses a wine replacement made from apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, making it suitable for those following a keto or low-carb diet.
Ingredients
- 1 lb/450g whole shrimp OR 0.5 lb/225g peeled shrimp
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- parsley for garnish
- Salt as needed
Wine replacement
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Peel, devein, and clean whole shrimp, reserving shells and heads for stock.
- Pat shrimp dry and season with salt.
- Mince garlic and parsley, and prepare wine replacement.
- Fry shrimp in a single layer in a pan with oil and butter on medium heat until cooked through (1-4 minutes per side).
- Set aside cooked shrimp.
- Sauté garlic and chili flakes in the same pan for 30 seconds.
- Add wine replacement and simmer until reduced by half.
- Stir in cold butter until smooth, adding salt if using unsalted butter.
- Return shrimp to the pan and stir until warmed through (don't overcook or the sauce will separate).
- Garnish with parsley and serve with a side salad and bread. Store leftover shells and heads for stock.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: per servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 204kcalTotal Fat: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 23g