What Makes Red Lobster's Shrimp Scampi So Delicious
When you've got a hankering for shrimp, the Garlic Shrimp Scampi at Red Lobster is a go-to dish that's hard to beat. What's not to love about a generous portion of sizable shrimp baked in garlic butter sauce and seasoned to perfection? Especially when it tastes great and you can easily find it at a popular casual dining restaurant chain with so many locations (more than 700).
Whether you're near the coast or in a landlocked location, you're almost always within an easy drive of a Red Lobster where you can enjoy wonderful, freshly prepared shrimp scampi for lunch or dinner. It doesn't matter if you opt for shrimp scampi alone or pair it with a steak or other seafood selections — this tasty dish is a seafood standby that's sure to satisfy a shellfish craving. Read on to discover a few facts about Red Lobster's Garlic Shrimp Scampi that reveal some key reasons why this popular shrimp dish tastes so very delicious.
Red Lobster's shrimp scampi's garlicky goodness is irresistible
Shrimp tastes great when prepared in just about any way, which is why it has long been the most popular seafood item in the United States. Even so, there's something incredibly special about perfectly cooked shrimp seasoned with garlic, scampi style. The unique sweet taste of shrimp pairs perfectly with the characteristic bite of garlic, which just may be the secret to why shrimp scampi tastes so great.
Red Lobster's shrimp scampi is so garlicky that the restaurant actually calls it Garlic Shrimp Scampi. Seasoned with just the right amount of garlic, this dish is cooked to perfection. It has a definite taste of garlic, but without so much of an allium overload that it would be considered overly seasoned. If you like both shrimp and garlic, you're sure to love this flavor-packed baked seafood dish. The garlicky taste of this dish is so fabulous, we have to describe it as irresistible.
Red Lobster's shrimp scampi includes a delectable buttery sauce
Garlic is great, but it's not just the garlic that makes Red Lobster's Garlic Shrimp Scampi taste so wonderful. Besides garlic, butter is a not-so-secret ingredient that makes shrimp scampi the decadent delight that it is. Fortunately, Red Lobster doesn't scrimp when it comes to serving plenty of rich, delicious butter sauce (also made with flavorful white wine and lemon juice) along with its Garlic Shrimp Scampi. As a matter of fact, the shrimp are baked directly in garlic butter sauce.
One might say that you can't really have scampi without butter. Not only does the sizzling butter sauce enhance the overall flavor of the Garlic Shrimp Scampi, but you can also dip the Cheddar Bay Biscuits that come with your meal in the extra butter. What a delicious way to truly savor every last drop of this rich seafood entree.
Shrimp scampi pairs perfectly with Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Do Red Lobster's soft and freshly-baked biscuits make its Garlic Shrimp Scampi taste even better, or is it the decadent garlicky shrimp dish that makes the restaurant's famous biscuits so special? Does it really matter? Great taste is great taste, no matter who started it. Either way, there's no denying that Garlic Shrimp Scampi paired with Cheddar Bay Biscuits is a match made in garlic lover's heaven.
Red Lobster may be just as famous for its uniquely delicious biscuits as for its extensive selection of seafood dishes. Cheddar Bay Biscuits enhance everything on Red Lobster's menu, but they're an especially excellent companion to shrimp scampi — largely because they amplify the already amazing taste of scampi with even more garlic and butter, while also adding the tangy sharpness of aged cheddar cheese.
You might be able to get shrimp scampi at many seafood restaurants, but you'll only get to experience Garlic Shrimp Scampi paired with Cheddar Bay Biscuits at Red Lobster. This rich combination of flavors is like a dream come true for seafood and garlic fans everywhere.
Red Lobster upped the size of the shrimp in its scampi
In some restaurants, you're never sure what size shrimp you'll be served when you order scampi for your entree. The shrimp served in this dish can range from tiny to large, or anywhere in between. Fortunately, that's not the case at Red Lobster. When you order Garlic Shrimp Scampi at Red Lobster, you can be sure that you're not going to be served a plate of tiny shrimp that would have been put to better use in a creamy dip or a batch of gumbo.
Back in 2015 — based on customer feedback — Red Lobster committed to significantly increasing the size of the shrimp in its popular Garlic Shrimp Scampi dish, changing from 41/50 count shrimp to 31/40 count. What does that mean for you? It means that you can count on being served good-sized shrimp whenever you order shrimp scampi at Red Lobster.
Enjoy Red Lobster's shrimp scampi as part of a feast
Shrimp scampi is unquestionably delicious, but with so many great options on Red Lobster's menu, it can be hard to narrow your choice down to just one type of seafood. Sure, shrimp scampi tastes great all by itself, but it's even better in a combination. Scampi pairs perfectly with everything from lobster to seafood pasta and beyond.
Fortunately, you absolutely don't actually have to choose between shrimp scampi and everything else. That's because Red Lobster includes Garlic Shrimp Scampi in its Signature Feasts and other combination meals that feature several seafood selections and a choice of sides. You can also create your own combination meal and pair the shrimp scampi you crave with one or two other items for a meal that's customized exactly to your taste.
Beyond that, Red Lobster makes it super-easy to pair Garlic Shrimp Scampi with any menu item that strikes your fancy by adding a serving of Garlic Shrimp Scampi to any other dish. Whether you want to add it to an entree or if you'd prefer to simply have an appetizer for your main course, you can round out your choice with a flavor-packed shrimp scampi add-on. Not only does Garlic Shrimp Scampi serve as the perfect topper for whatever else you'll order, but it'll also be a lot of fun to say, "I'd like to add on Garlic Shrimp Scampi, please." Way to live the high life like a true seafood lover!
Red Lobster's scampi is a great alternative to fried shrimp
Some seafood restaurants limit their shrimp selections to fried options, but that's so not the case at Red Lobster. Now, Red Lobster does have delicious fried shrimp, but scampi is a wonderful alternative if you're trying to avoid or reduce fried food in your diet.
Red Lobster's Garlic Shrimp Scampi doesn't rely on breading or a deep fryer to get its flavor. When you take a bite, all you'll taste is skillfully seasoned shrimp. Of course, it's not oil-free — because you can't make shrimp scampi without butter. Lots and lots of butter.
And, of course, it's really not an either/or proposition. You can always enjoy the best of both worlds if you just want to make sure your meal isn't all fried. It's easy. Just create your own combination featuring Walt's Favorite Shrimp (which is a fried dish) paired with a serving of Garlic Shrimp Scampi.
Shrimp scampi makes for a fabulous low-carb meal
If you're following a low-carb or keto way of eating, Red Lobster's Garlic Shrimp Scampi is your friend. Not only does this seafood dish taste great, but it's also a low-carb lover's dream dinner. A serving of Red Lobser's shrimp scampi has only six grams of carbohydrates, so it's an excellent main course for any carb-controlled meal.
You don't have to dine on scampi alone to keep your carb count low. Many seafood restaurants only have sugary or carb-laden sides, but that's not the case at Red Lobster. Instead, the restaurant has some great low-carbohydrate side options to help you stick with your eating plan.
It's easy to pair an order of Garlic Shrimp Scampi with a salad (hold the croutons) and broccoli for a delicious meal that provides maximum flavor with only minimal carbs. Red Lobster's broccoli has 10 grams of carbs per serving, and its side salad also has 10 grams (with the croutons left on). Just choose your salad dressing wisely and you'll be able to feast on a complete meal for less than 30 grams of carbs.
Use Red Lobster's scampi to hack a tasty shrimp and rice dinner
Red Lobster might not be the first place that comes to mind when you're in search of comfort food, but don't let that stop you. With a little creativity, you absolutely can enjoy a homestyle rice and protein dinner that starts with shrimp scampi.
If you're not watching your carbs, order a side of Red Lobster's Orzo Rice and pour a serving of Garlic Shrimp Scampi over the top — including all the butter. Mix it all together and savor the goodness of buttery rice combined with a decadently delicious shrimp dish. Be sure to eat a few Cheddar Bay Biscuits as well.
What a great way to hack your way to a tasty comfort food meal of shrimp and rice. It's a secret menu item so good that you just might amaze your server and inspire other diners to imitate your order.