This Slow Cooker Shrimp Scampi recipe will help you make the easiest and most tastiest batch of jumbo shrimp ever. Skip the restaurant and make the best shrimp scampi right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Disclaimer: you may want to double up on this recipe so there’s plenty for seconds (and thirds)!
Pair this garlic butter shrimp scampi with my Slow Cooker Grits and/or with a bed of Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash (click the title and use the cooking instructions without the meat sauce).
What is Shrimp Scampi?
Similar to shrimp, scampi are small, lobster-like crustaceans that have a palish-pink shell. Over time, Italian cooks swapped scampi for shrimp, hence, where we get the term shrimp scampi. Now, shrimp scampi has come to be known as a seafood dish made with fresh garlic, butter, and a white wine sauce.
For this easy shrimp recipe, you’ll use a combination of those ingredients as well as a few classic seasonings for the perfectly cooked shrimp and shrimp scampi sauce. You only need very few ingredients and a short cooking time.
Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen Shrimp: I used medium sized frozen shrimp but you can also use jumbo shrimp.
- Butter: It may seem like a lot, but you’ll use 2 sticks (or 8 ounces) of butter.
- Olive Oil: This is used for adding more flavor and texture to the large shrimp.
- Lemon Juice: The tang from lemon juice gives it the “scampi” taste but also helps in creating the best flavor.
- Garlic: What’s scampi without garlic? I like to use lots of garlic, but this recipe calls for four cloves.
- Parsley: Used for garnish.
- Seasonings: Salt, freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika make this amazing recipe irresistibly delicious.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Pour the frozen shrimp into the crock pot.
Step Two – Add the remaining ingredients (except the parsley).
Step Three – Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
How to Serve
- One of the quickest and easiest ways to serve shrimp scampi is directly from the slow cooker. It can be positioned as an appetizer or for scooping and putting on top of pasta.
- Speaking of pasta, this shrimp is absolutely delicious served over angel hair pasta, zucchini noodles, or any linguini of your choice.
- When it comes to toppings and pairings, sprinkle on a nice helping of fresh parsley, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, grated parmesan, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a side of crusty bread or garlic bread. And don’t forget to pour over some of the butter sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp in this recipe. Just make sure they are peeled and deveined before adding them to the slow cooker. Note, that this will effect the cooking time.
You can add vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini.
Leftover slow cooker shrimp scampi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat until heated through, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.
Yes, you can add a splash of white wine to this recipe; only use a few tablespoons for alcohol can taste very strong in slow cooker recipes.
It’s best to serve this shrimp immediately; however, if you’re wanting to serve it later (like as a dish tonight), then you can turn off the crockpot until you’re ready to warm up the shrimp.
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Crockpot Shrimp Scampi
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 24 oz. medium sized frozen shrimp peeled, deviened style
- 8 oz. salted butter Sliced
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves Minced
- 1 tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp. black pepper
For Serving:
- fresh parsley for garnish
- linguine or angel hair or spaghetti
Instructions:
- In the slow cooker, add the frozen shrimp, butter, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir to mix the ingredients.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. FDA recommends shrimp be cooked to 145℉.
- White the shrimp is cooking, prepare your choice of pasta if using, according to package instructions.
- To serve, spoon the shrimp and sauce over the cooked pasta and garnish with fresh parsley, top with grated parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes:
- Yes, you can use fresh shrimp in this recipe. Just make sure they are peeled and deveined before adding them to the slow cooker. Note, that this will effect the cooking time.
- You can add vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini.
- Leftover slow cooker shrimp scampi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat until heated through, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.
- Nutritional values do not include pasta.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
I made it with 2 lbs partially thawed uncooked jumbo shrimp. Started on high for one hour and turned to low for 2nd hour. Shrimp were slightly over cooked, but not bad. I added cooked fettuccini to the crockpot for the last 15 minutes. I really enjoyed the meal, but next time I make it, I’ll probably reduce the cooking time just a bit.
I don’t understand how the shrimp is cooked for 2 hours and not be rubbery. It’s doesn’t take 2 hours to cook shrimp. Plead help me understand
The slow cooker heats up VERY slow. And these are frozen shrimp.
Can you cook this on low? If so how long?
I have not tested this on low, I’m sure it would be fine though. Unsure exactly how long.
Can I use thawed shrimp not frozen f so how long to cook for?
It’s hard to say without testing it. You’ll know when they turn opaque and curl and the temprature is 145 degrees.
Can you sub chicken for shrimp? And how much chicken should I use?
I don’t see why not. I would do 1.5 – 2 lbs.
I made this last night.
It was yummy.
However it is only my dad and me, and we have quite a bit left over.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Thanks
Yes, I think the leftovers will freeze well.
If not using a slow cooker .. how long do I cook the shrimps on the hob . .. thanks in advance
It only takes a few minutes on the stove.
Do you cook 2 hrs on low or 2 hrs on high, there seems to be both listed in this recipe…..I’m confused.
Cook on high.
Can I use frozen cooked shrimp, and if so, when should I add it to the crock pot. Thanks. Marge
It’s hard to say without testing, but I think about the same amount of time.