Shrimp In White Wine Sauce

Why Make Shrimp In White Wine Sauce?

Please add this to your list of easy weeknight dinners for several reasons.

• It is easy, even for beginner cooks. Our shrimp in white wine sauce recipe has simple steps that anyone can follow! It doesn’t require extensive cooking skills to make it. You can also have it ready within 15 minutes!
• You can serve it as an appetizer or transform it into a main course. Make the recipe as it is and serve it as a satisfying appetizer with bread for dipping. Alternatively, you can enhance the recipe by adding other ingredients, such as al dente pasta to make shrimp scampi or rice and vegetables, to make it a complete main course.
• It has a show-stopping presentation. This dish is restaurant quality! It has incredible savory flavors and an elegant appearance. You can have a five-star experience in the comfort of your own home.

Get wild-caught shrimp if you can as they have better flavor than farmed shrimp.

Ingredients Needed

Although this dish contains an array of ingredients, these specific components are crucial to the recipe and its flavor!

• Medium Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp that are peeled and deveined. If yours are frozen, make sure to properly thaw them beforehand. Here is a great guide on how to thaw frozen shrimp.
• Butter and Oil: These ingredients are essential for both flavor and browning garlic and shallots, providing the sauce’s base with a rich taste.
• Crisp White Wine: Dry white wine is the perfect foundation for a luxurious sauce. Its acidity balances the fat in the sauce. Make sure to follow the directions when adding it because if you add it at the wrong time, an emulsion won’t form, and the sauce will be broken.
• Lemon Juice: This ingredient gives the sauce a bright finish and pairs with every component! Use fresh lemon juice for optimal results.

Scroll down below to see the details about measurements and remaining ingredients.

How it comes together

Here is how to make shrimp in white wine sauce, broken down to 4 easy steps! Be sure to check out the more detailed recipe below.

Step 1: In a large skillet, sauté garlic and shallots in olive oil and butter.

Shallots have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to onions, which makes them perfect for elevating sauces like this to gourmet standard. Make sure the shallots are finely minced so they incorporate seamlessly with the sauce.

Step 2. Add the white wine and red pepper flakes.

White wine incorporates acidity, cutting through the richness of the butter and oil, and it also deglazes the pan.

Step 3: Add the shrimp, salt and pepper.

Go for medium to large shrimp as they make for a more alluring presentation. White pepper is a great substitute for black pepper. We use both peppers interchangeably with seafood dishes.

Step 4: Cook until the shrimp turn pink.

Stir the shrimp with the seasoning to combine and let them cook until the shrimp go from translucent to opaque. It should take about 3-4 minutes. When shrimp turn pink, that’s the indication that they’re done. Don’t overcook the shrimp as they’ll turn rubbery. Shrimp only need a couple of minutes to cook.

Then it’s time for finishing touches. Taste to see if it needs more salt, add in some fresh lemon juice and garnish with minced parsley, chives or some lemon zest. Fresh herbs really elevate the presentation.

Pantry notes

• Clams: Why not have a medley of seafood by making shrimp and clams in white wine sauce? The clams go very well with the other ingredients in the recipe! While canned clams are an option, fresh clams are definitely best! Before using, make sure to clean them properly. As they take longer to cook than shrimp, add them earlier when the wine first comes to a simmer. Cover and steam them for a few minutes, then proceed with the recipe as usual. By the time the shrimp is ready, the clams should have opened up.
• Pasta: You can easily turn this into a heartier meal by making pasta and shrimp in white wine sauce! Angel hair and linguine are top-tier choices, but don’t worry about taking a trip to the store; you can use any pasta shape you have. Cook the pasta separately and serve the shrimp over it. Alternatively, add the cooked pasta to the pan and mix everything together before serving.
• Spinach: This ingredient is not only nutritious, but it’s also a phenomenal pairing with the shrimp. For best results, use fresh spinach and add it at the same time as the shrimp, giving it time to wilt.
• Chicken Broth: You can easily swap chicken broth for white wine if you don’t want to cook with alcohol! Use an equal amount. Don’t worry about how it will turn out. The dish will still be equally good and savory!
• Heavy Cream: If you would like this easy weeknight meal creamy, add some heavy cream cream and parmesan cheese.

Cook notes

• It’s important not to overcook shrimp as they can become tough and rubbery. Examine their appearance to determine when they are done, as they cook very quickly. They should be opaque, pink to orange, slightly firm yet tender, and form a C-shape.
• This recipe calls for medium shrimp. If all you have is large shrimp, that’s perfectly okay! But just keep in mind they will take slightly longer to cook.
• No matter which size shrimp you use, it is best to devein and peel them before you begin the recipe so you don’t have to scramble. If you start the sauce before doing so, you’ll run out of time. You can always purchase them pre-peeled and deveined to make it easier on yourself!
• Choose your wine carefully! If you pick a white wine that is too sweet, it will throw off the flavor profile of the entire dish. That is why we recommend dry wine.

• Yield: 4 servings
• Prep: 5 minutes
• Cook: 10 minutes
• Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound medium shrimp
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ⅓ cup white wine
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, sub with white pepper
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons minced parsley, for garnish

Serving

• Crusty bread like ciabatta or baguette

Method

1. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat then add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter melts, add the minced shallots and garlic. Stir well and let it cook for about a minute or two while stirring occasionally until fragrant and golden brown.
3. Add the white wine and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes until the shrimp turn pink.
5. Add in the lemon juice, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. We add in a little pinch of salt at this stage.
6. Garnish with minced parsley and serve warm with crusty bread.