The Spicy Ingredient Your Shrimp Scampi Is Begging For

Shrimp scampi is one of those dishes that's always good — but maybe a little too good at playing it safe. It's buttery, garlicky, lemony, and familiar in that cozy, weeknight dinner kind of way. But if you've made it more than a few times, you might be wondering, "Is this all there is?" That's where gochujang enters the chat. This Korean chili paste doesn't just spice things up, it gives shrimp scampi a totally new personality.

You can always spruce up shrimp scampi with Papa John's garlic sauce, or, you could stir in a spoonful of gochujang and suddenly you've got a sauce that's tangy, sweet, spicy, and completely irresistible. When combined with the richness of butter and the zing of lemon, the whole dish levels up from "delicious" to "why didn't I think of this sooner?" It's still shrimp scampi, just with a little edge and a whole lot more flavor.

This isn't just about making the dish spicier, though. Gochujang brings more to the table than heat; It adds depth. It's a fermented chili paste, so it has savory undertones and just enough sweetness to round things out. That means your usual scampi ingredients don't get lost in the mix. Instead, they shine in a new way. The lemon still does its bright, fresh thing, and the garlic still brings the punch. For spice lovers in particular, this twist will be welcomed with open arms.

Umami-rich gochujang easily upgrades any soup, but there's something magical about gochujang and butter together. In shrimp scampi, butter smooths out the fermented chili paste's bite. Gochujang also adds a depth of flavor, with a spicy aftertaste that doesn't make your nose run or numb your lips like Sichuan peppers do. When garlic and lemon join the mix, you're left with a sauce that's complex and savory, with just the right amount of heat. And because gochujang is thick and sticky, it actually clings to the shrimp instead of sliding off into a pool at the bottom of the plate.

This combo works especially well for shrimp scampi because it transforms a simple base into something more dynamic. And if you're worried the lemon might dull the heat too much, a pinch of red chili flakes can bring the fire right back. You can serve it over pasta, spoon it over rice, or pile it onto crusty bread. However you serve it, expect it to disappear fast. Even better, it doesn't require extra time or a complex ingredient list; You're literally just adding one spoonful. Easy-peasy.

Gochujang is easy to find in most grocery stores these days, and it keeps well in the fridge, so you'll always have it on hand for a quick flavor bomb. Stir it into melted butter and garlic, let it bloom for a few seconds, toss in the shrimp, add your lemon juice, and you're done. Along with your favorite seafood dish, gochujang amps up breakfast burritos when you're looking for a good kick.