Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi

Last Updated on July 2, 2025

This Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi will become one of your favorite summer dinners, so thankfully it’s so easy to get fresh shrimp.

You probably love cooking in your Instant Pot, especially now that the weather is warmer, since it doesn’t heat up the whole house. Plus, the quick cook time means you'll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your evening.

If you need some ideas of a side dish that goes with the shrimp, there’s lots of suggestions in this What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi post. Whether you want something light and fresh or hearty and satisfying, you'll find the perfect pairing there.

Jump to:

• What is Shrimp Scampi?
• SAVE THIS RECIPE!
• ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔀 Substitutions
• 🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins
• 🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
• Tired of Ads?
• 🔪 How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi
• 👩‍🍳 Pro Tips
• ❓ Recipe FAQs
• 🙏 Pairing
• SAVE THIS RECIPE!
• 📋 Recipe
• Pro Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• More Instant Pot Resources

What is Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish featuring shrimp cooked in a sauce of butter, garlic, and white wine. It’s often served over pasta or with crusty bread for dipping. 

The “scampi” part of the name actually refers to a type of small, lobster-like crustacean (langoustines). When Italian immigrants came to America, they had to adapt their recipe to what they could find, which was shrimp.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This shrimp recipe fits well with the relaxing summer season since it’s so delicious and convenient to make.

• Ready in under 30 minutes: This recipe will be done in about 25 minutes. (However, if you’re cooking the pasta or rice in the Instant Pot too, add 10-15 minutes to the total time.)
• Easy to make: It is so easy to make this shrimp scampi. All you have to do is sauté a few ingredients, deglaze the pot, add the shrimp to cook, then add in the rest of the ingredients.
• Leftovers make great lunch: It tastes even better the next day and it warms up well in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.

If you want to try another shrimp recipe made in the Instant Pot, try this shrimp and sausage gumbo.

🥘 Ingredients

To make this delicious scampi you will need a few simple ingredients. All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store and you might already have some of them in your pantry. 

• Shrimp: You’ll need 2 pounds of raw shrimp that are peeled and deveined. If you get large shrimp that will be about 31-40 individual shrimp per pound or extra-large shrimp will be about 26-30 individual shrimp per pound.
• Minced garlic: The recipe says one tablespoon, so if you’re using fresh cloves, peel and mince about 3 medium-sized ones. If you’re using jarred minced garlic, just measure out the tablespoon.
• White wine: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked) or Dry Vermouth would add nice flavor to the dish. Don’t use sweet wines like Moscato or Riesling - they can make the dish taste off-balance.
• Chicken stock: Use either store bought chicken stock or homemade-just make sure it’s not too heavy or seasoned. A low-sodium or no-salt-added stock would be a good choice so you can control the salt level.
• Pasta or rice: For the pasta, you can use linguine (classic choice), spaghetti, angel hair or fettucine. For the rice, you can use white rice (long-grain or jasmine), brown rice or cauliflower rice.

See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities

🔀 Substitutions

If you don't have the ingredients you need or if you have different dietary needs, see if you have these instead:

Shrimp: Scallops have a similar texture and cook time so they make a great seafood alternative. If you want a vegetarian version, use extra firm tofu-just saute it first for the best texture.

Minced garlic: If you prefer to use garlic powder, use 1 teaspoon for every tablespoon of minced garlic. You could also use garlic-infused oil for low-FODMAP diets.

White wine: You could just use more chicken stock instead or unsweetened white grape juice which mimics wine's acidity without alcohol.

Chicken stock: Chicken broth would work just as well as the stock. If you’re using scallops instead, seafood stock would really enhance the seafood flavor.

Pasta or rice: For the pasta, you can use gluten free pasta (check the cook time) or zoodles and just stir them in at the end. For the rice, you can use quinoa which cooks well in the Instant Pot or orzo, a pasta that looks like rice has a great texture and works well with scampi flavors.

🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Here are a few ways that you can personalize this simple dinner recipe. 

• Make it Creamy: Stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream or a few tablespoons of cream cheese after pressure cooking for a richer, creamy sauce.
• Make it Spicy: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a kick of heat.
• Add Veggies: Stir in a handful of baby spinach or chopped kale after cooking-it wilts quickly and adds nutrients. You can also stir in cooked peas or small zucchini cubes at the end for a light veggie twist.

For a different kind of shrimp dinner, try these sheet pan shrimp tacos.

🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this simple dinner. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this tasty dish. 

• Instant Pot (6-quart or 8-quart): This is where you’ll do all of the main cooking for this recipe.
• Wooden spoon: For sautéing garlic and deglazing the pot.
• Garlic press: If you prefer pressing garlic instead of mincing.
• Serving dish: To plate it beautifully if you’re serving guests.

🔪 How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi

Since shrimp cooks so quickly, this meal is ready fast. And like all my recipes, it’s just a few simple steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Base of the Sauce

Place the oil and butter in the Instant Pot. Set to Sautee.

Step 2: Add Garlic Then Deglaze

When the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the white wine and chicken stock to deglaze the pot, and stir up any browned bits.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Turn off the Sautee setting and add the shrimp and cover. Set to meat/stew for 1 minute and natural release for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add the Rice or Pasta

Stir in the cooked pasta or rice and add the lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.

*To cook rice in your instant pot, use 2 cups of rice and 3 cups of water. Use the rice button on Instant Pot and do a 10-minute natural pressure release.

*To cook pasta in your instant pot, use 2 cups of pasta to 3 cups of water. Use the soup button and cook 8 minutes, quick release.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Dinner’s ready! Now you just have to put the meal on a serving plate-lay the pasta down first, then top with the shrimp and sauce.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure this recipe turns out perfectly every time. 

• Deglaze the pot well after sautéing. Scrape up all the browned bits with wine or broth-this prevents a burn warning and adds tons of flavor.
• Use large or extra-large shrimp to avoid overcooking-they stay juicy and tender under pressure.
• Pressure cooking for this recipe is fast so don't walk away. The shrimp cooks in just 1 minute under pressure with a 5-minute natural release-overcooking makes it rubbery.
• Taste and adjust at the end. A splash more lemon juice, pinch of salt, or sprinkle of Parmesan can brighten and finish the dish perfectly.
• Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon zest for a pop of color and flavor right before serving.

❓ Recipe FAQs

🙏 Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi:

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📋 Recipe

More Instant Pot Resources

Love your Instant Pot? Find more Instant Pot Recipes here. And check out my favorite Instant Pot Hacks.