Gourmet Hacks: 5 BEST White Wine Substitutes in Shrimp Scampi

Are you looking for simple yet delicious shrimp scampi recipes, but aren’t sure if it requires white wine? Have no fear.

In this blog, we’ll explain what the sauce of shrimp scampi is made of and provide you with five excellent substitutes for white wine in your favorite seafood dish.

Make shrimp scampi easily and without hassle.

What is the Sauce of Shrimp Scampi Made of?

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish that consists of shrimp cooked in a delicious garlic, butter and white wine sauce.

It can be served over pasta or with crusty bread for a delicious meal.

The sauce of shrimp scampi is made of chopped garlic, melted butter, and white wine.

The white wine adds a unique flavor to the sauce and helps keep the flavors balanced.

To make the shrimp scampi sauce, heat some butter in a pan then add in the garlic and cook briefly.

Next, add the white wine followed by some red pepper flakes for heat if desired.

Let this mixture simmer until it has reduced by half.

Once reduced you can add your shrimp to the pan and season with salt, fresh cracked pepper to taste.

Cook until your shrimp have reached desired doneness – usually no more than 5 minutes per side depending on size.

Serve over seasoned cooked pasta or with crusty bread.

5 Best White Wine Substitutes in Shrimp Scampi

However, you may not always have white wine on hand, or you may be looking for an alcohol-free option if you are cooking for children or individuals who avoid alcohol.

Whatever the case may be, there are a variety of substitutions that can work as alternatives to white wine in your Shrimp Scampi.

Here are five great options:

1 – Dry Vermouth

Dry vermouth is a fortified wine produced by blending white wine and herbs, spices, and other flavorings (especially wormwood).

It is similar in flavor to white wine, but is its own distinct variety.

Vermouth has been preferred by many cooks as a substitution for white wine when making shrimp scampi due to its low alcohol content and mild yet complex flavors.

A quarter cup of dry vermouth can be used as a one-to-one replacement for the same amount of white wine in a shrimp scampi recipe.

Furthermore, it adds a pleasant botanical aroma to the sauce.

2 – Chicken Broth

Chicken Broth is one of the most common substitutes for white wine in shrimp scampi.

This is because it retains the same flavor and consistency of white wine, making it an easy way to retain the signature taste of the dish.

To make shrimp scampi with chicken broth, simply replace the amount of wine called for with an equal amount of chicken broth and proceed with your recipe as normal.

Make sure to taste before you serve, as you may want to spice it up with a pinch more of garlic and lemon juice.

3 – Apple Cider

Apple cider is a great substitute to use in the sauce of shrimp scampi.

Not only is it acidic like white wine, but it will still add the same sweetness and tangy flavor that you love in this popular Italian dish.

To use apple cider as a replacement for white wine, simply follow your shrimp scampi recipe and replace the designated amount of white wine with an equal amount of apple cider.

Be aware though that since apple cider has a more distinct flavor than white wine, you might want to reduce the amount of other ingredients such as garlic or lemon juice to prevent overpowering your dish.

4 – White Grape Juice

White grape juice is an excellent substitute for wine.

It has a light flavor that complements the savory flavors of the dish and it will not add an acidic aftertaste.

White grape juice is relatively easy to find in most supermarkets and it can be used as a one-to-one substitution for white wine.

It’s important to note that if you choose to use white grape juice, reduce the butter slightly as well as the salt, as these two ingredients combine with white wine to make a richer flavor profile.

5 – White Wine Vinegar

White wine vinegar is a great substitute for the white wine used in shrimp scampi sauce.

It will provide the same acidic and slightly sweet flavor as white wine does.

Be aware that since white wine vinegar is more acidic than white wine, you may need to reduce the amount of lemon juice when substituting it.

You’ll want to start by adding 1 tablespoon and taste before deciding to add more.

To further balance out the acidity and give it sweetness, you can add a teaspoon of sugar if desired.

Conclusion

When it comes to the sauce for shrimp scampi, white wine is a great ingredient that can help give the dish a nice depth of flavor.

However, if you are out of white wine or looking for an alternative, there are many great substitutes available.

Some options include chicken broth, vermouth, sake, non-alcoholic white wine substitute and even plain water.

These ingredients can be used as direct substitutes in place of white wine and can still help you achieve a delicious recipe.

No matter what ingredients you decide to use in your version of shrimp scampi, remember to adjust seasoning accordingly and enjoy this amazing Italian seafood dish.