How Many Carbs Are in a Portion of Scampi?

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

While raw scampi (or shrimp) contains virtually no carbohydrates, the final carb count of a portion can vary dramatically depending on the cooking method and accompanying ingredients. This article explores the nutritional variations in different scampi preparations to help you understand precisely how many carbs are in a portion of scampi.

Quick Summary

The carb content of scampi depends heavily on its preparation, with breaded or sauced versions containing significantly more carbohydrates than plain cooked scampi. Preparation methods like baking, frying, and incorporating pasta affect the final nutritional value.

Key Points

Inherent Carbs are Low: Plain, raw scampi (shrimp/prawns) has a negligible amount of carbohydrates, making it an excellent base for low-carb diets.
Preparation is Key: The carb count for scampi is heavily influenced by the cooking method and additional ingredients, especially breading and pasta.
Breaded Scampi is High Carb: Breaded and fried scampi, common in takeaway meals, can contain 24-30g of carbs per 100g serving due to the coating.
Classic Scampi Varies: Traditional garlic-butter shrimp scampi sauce adds minimal carbs, but serving it with pasta dramatically increases the overall carbohydrate load.
Low-Carb Alternatives Exist: Enjoy the flavors of scampi with low-carb options by using zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta, and grilling or pan-searing the shellfish plain.
Portion and Sides Matter: Total carb intake is affected by portion size and accompanying side dishes like garlic bread or starchy vegetables.

Understanding the Carbohydrate Content of Scampi

The inherent carbohydrate content of scampi, or prawns and shrimp, is negligible. As a protein-rich shellfish, the main macronutrients are protein and fats. However, the way scampi is prepared and served is the deciding factor for its total carbohydrate count. Traditional scampi recipes often involve a buttery, garlic, and wine sauce, while popular takeaway versions are breaded and fried. Each method introduces varying levels of carbohydrates, which is crucial for those monitoring their intake.

Scampi Preparation Methods and Carb Impact

Plain Scampi: Boiled, grilled, or pan-seared scampi with no added ingredients (other than herbs and spices) will have an extremely low carbohydrate count. This is the ideal method for anyone on a strict low-carb or ketogenic diet. The focus is on the natural, savory flavor of the shellfish itself.
Classic Shrimp Scampi: This popular dish, typically served with pasta, features a sauce made with butter, garlic, white wine, and lemon juice. While the sauce itself has a modest amount of carbs from the wine, the bulk of the carbohydrates comes from the pasta. For a 250g cup serving, the total carbohydrate can be around 5.7g, but this increases significantly with pasta. Choosing zucchini noodles or other low-carb alternatives can make this dish keto-friendly.
Breaded Scampi: A staple of British fish and chip shops, breaded scampi is coated in breadcrumbs before being fried. The breading significantly increases the carbohydrate content. A 100g portion of breaded scampi can contain around 24-29.6g of carbohydrates, depending on the brand and how it's cooked (oven-baked or fried).

Comparison of Scampi Preparation Methods


Preparation Method	Key Ingredients Adding Carbs	Typical Carbohydrate Range (per 100g)	Notes on Carbs
Plain/Pan-seared Scampi	None (naturally low-carb)	< 1g	Primarily from natural sources in the shellfish.
Classic Shrimp Scampi Sauce	White wine	Approx. 3-6g	For the sauce alone. Pasta increases this dramatically.
Breaded & Fried Scampi	Breadcrumbs, batter	24-30g	Breading is the primary source of high carbs.
Keto Shrimp Scampi	Vegetables (e.g., zucchini)	Approx. 5-8g	Sauce ingredients plus low-carb vegetable base.

Controlling Carbs in Your Scampi Dishes

One of the easiest ways to enjoy scampi while managing carbohydrate intake is to control the preparation. For a zero-carb approach, simply grill or pan-sear the scampi with a sprinkle of seasoning. If you enjoy the classic scampi sauce, opt for a low-carb vehicle like zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta. When purchasing pre-made or restaurant scampi, be aware of the preparation method. For instance, a takeaway portion of fried scampi can have as many carbs as a side of fries, which can be a surprise to those counting.

Beyond the Recipe: Other Factors to Consider

The Role of Sauces and Side Dishes

It's not just the scampi itself but the entire meal that determines the total carb count. A large portion of garlic bread with a shrimp scampi dish will add a substantial amount of carbohydrates. Similarly, a creamy sauce made with flour for thickening can also contribute. Always consider what you're serving alongside your scampi. For a truly low-carb meal, pair scampi with a simple side salad, steamed vegetables, or grilled asparagus.

The Importance of Portion Size

Portion size is critical for controlling carb intake. While a small appetizer of breaded scampi might be acceptable, a large main course could push you over your daily carb limit. Using a food tracking app or weighing your portions can help you stay on track. This is especially true for pre-packaged meals where a single serving might contain a surprisingly high amount of carbohydrates due to the breading.

Low-Carb Scampi Alternatives

For those on keto or other low-carb diets, several recipes exist that replicate the flavor profile of scampi without the high-carb ingredients. Using alternative thickeners for sauces, like a touch of cream cheese or a small amount of Xanthan gum, can achieve a similar texture. Pairing the scampi with fresh herbs, garlic, and a quality olive oil can deliver an incredible flavor experience without relying on breading or starchy pasta.

Conclusion: Scampi is a versatile low-carb choice

In summary, the number of carbs in a portion of scampi depends entirely on how it is prepared and served. Raw scampi is naturally very low in carbohydrates, making it an excellent base for healthy, low-carb meals. However, popular recipes involving breading or pasta can drastically increase the carb count. By being mindful of preparation methods and portion sizes, you can easily incorporate scampi into a low-carb diet. For the lowest carbohydrate option, choose plain, pan-seared scampi and pair it with fresh vegetables. For those who enjoy the classic butter and garlic sauce, using a low-carb alternative to pasta is a simple yet effective adjustment.

For more on low-carb cooking methods and ingredients, you can explore resources on the ketogenic diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, shrimp scampi typically contains some carbohydrates, though the amount varies significantly. Plain shrimp itself has almost no carbs, but the traditional scampi sauce (butter, garlic, wine) and especially the accompanying pasta or breading are the sources of the carbohydrates.

To make scampi low-carb, avoid breading and pasta. Use a simple butter, garlic, and herb sauce, and serve the scampi over zucchini noodles, steamed vegetables, or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta.

Yes, breaded scampi is high in carbohydrates because it is coated in breadcrumbs. The breading is the primary source of carbs in this preparation method, with some versions containing 24-30g of carbs per 100g.

Takeaway scampi is often breaded and deep-fried, resulting in a much higher carbohydrate count. Homemade scampi, especially when prepared without breading and served with low-carb alternatives, can be made with a very minimal carb content.

While often used interchangeably in American cuisine, true scampi are a type of shellfish (Nephrops norvegicus) similar to a small lobster. 'Shrimp scampi' in the US typically refers to a dish of shrimp cooked in a garlic and butter sauce, not the original scampi shellfish.

Adding a small amount of white wine to a scampi sauce adds a minimal number of carbohydrates. The alcohol cooks off, and the remaining carbs from the wine itself are low compared to other ingredients like breading or pasta.

Excellent low-carb side dishes for scampi include zucchini noodles, steamed asparagus, a fresh garden salad, sautéed spinach with garlic, or grilled vegetables like bell peppers and onions.