🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to create an explosion of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined | 1.5 pounds |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves |
| Chicken broth (low-sodium recommended) | 1/4 cup |
| Lemon zest | Zest of 1 lemon |
| Fresh lemon juice | 1/4 cup |
| Red pepper flakes (optional) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Unsalted butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons |
| Extra lemon wedges | For serving |
📝 Note: You can use frozen shrimp—just thaw and pat them dry before cooking for best results.
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Slow cooking shrimp? It might sound surprising, but with the right timing, it’s a total game-changer. Here’s exactly how to do it:
1. Prepare the Shrimp
Start by placing your raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp into the bottom of the slow cooker. No need to layer or spread them out perfectly—just a nice even layer will do.
2. Whisk the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Minced garlic
- Chicken broth
- Fresh lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes (if using)
- Black pepper
- A small pinch of salt
This mixture is bright, garlicky, and packed with flavor—and it’s going to soak right into your shrimp.
3. Pour It On
Pour the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the shrimp in your slow cooker. Use a spoon to gently stir and make sure all the shrimp are lightly coated.
4. Add the Butter
Slice your butter into small cubes and place them over the top. As the shrimp cooks, the butter will melt and blend with the lemon-garlic mixture to create a rich, glossy sauce.
5. Cook Gently on Low
Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for about 2 hours. Check at the 1.5-hour mark—shrimp cook quickly and overcooked shrimp can get rubbery. You’re looking for that telltale pink color and slightly curled tails.
6. Garnish and Serve
Once the shrimp are cooked through, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and give everything a gentle stir to coat in the buttery sauce. Serve hot with extra lemon wedges for anyone who loves an extra citrusy kick.
🍝 How to Serve Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi
This shrimp scampi is endlessly versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to plate it:
- Over Pasta: Angel hair, linguine, or spaghetti all soak up that dreamy sauce.
- With Rice or Quinoa: A light, gluten-free option that works beautifully.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t waste a drop of that sauce—sop it up with a warm baguette.
- Zoodles or Spaghetti Squash: For a low-carb version with all the flavor.
- Straight from the Crockpot: We won’t judge.
🌶️ Recipe Variations and Add-Ins
Want to customize your shrimp scampi? Try these easy upgrades:
- Add White Wine: Swap 2 tablespoons of broth for white wine for a more traditional twist.
- Toss in Veggies: Add sliced mushrooms or baby spinach in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
- Make It Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese at the end.
- Spice It Up: Amp up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of Cajun seasoning.
🧊 Storage and Leftovers
To Store:
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Since shrimp can become tough when reheated, it’s best eaten fresh.
To Reheat:
Warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to revive the sauce.
đź“ť Pro Tips for Perfect Shrimp in the Slow Cooker
- Use Raw Shrimp Only: Pre-cooked shrimp will become rubbery in the slow cooker.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Taste Before Serving: Add a bit more salt, lemon juice, or red pepper flakes at the end if needed.
- Pat Shrimp Dry: This helps avoid watering down the sauce.
- Butter Lasts Longer: Placing the butter on top allows it to melt gradually and coat everything evenly.
đź’¬ Final Thoughts: Elegant Dinner, Effortless Process
This Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi is proof that elegant dinners don’t have to be complicated. With bold flavors from garlic, lemon, and herbs, and that luscious, buttery finish, this dish feels like something you’d order at a restaurant—but it came from your slow cooker.
Perfect for a cozy dinner, meal prep, or even entertaining guests, this recipe brings bold, zesty flavor to the table with almost no work at all. It’s light, vibrant, and absolutely unforgettable.
So go ahead—toss those ingredients in the pot, walk away, and get ready to wow your taste buds.