Shrimp Scampi Food Cost: Full Breakdown for Restaurant Operators
A restaurant shrimp scampi entrée (6 oz shrimp, linguine, garlic butter wine sauce) typically costs $5.50–$8.50 in ingredients. At menu prices of $22–$30, that's a food cost of 20–35% — a strong margin pasta-protein combination.
Ingredient Cost Breakdown
Shrimp scampi is a perennial Italian-American restaurant staple that combines pasta's low ingredient cost with shrimp's premium positioning. The result is a dish with a good margin profile that commands a premium menu price.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Unit Cost | Recipe Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp 21/25 (6 oz / ~8 shrimp) | 6 oz | $0.55/oz | $3.30 |
| Linguine (4 oz dry) | 4 oz | $0.08/oz | $0.32 |
| Butter (2 oz) | 2 oz | $0.18/oz | $0.36 |
| White wine (2 oz) | 2 fl oz | $0.10/oz | $0.20 |
| Garlic (4 cloves) | 4 cloves | $0.04/clove | $0.16 |
| Shallot (½ oz) | ½ oz | $0.18/oz | $0.09 |
| Olive oil (½ oz) | ½ oz | $0.12/oz | $0.06 |
| Parmigiano-Reggiano (½ oz) | ½ oz | $0.68/oz | $0.34 |
| Parsley, lemon, red pepper flakes | 1 portion | $0.09 | |
| Bread for sauce (½ portion) | 2 oz | $0.29 | $0.29 |
| Total | — | — | $6.50 |
Shrimp Count Size and Cost
Shrimp count size (21/25, 16/20, 26/30) significantly affects both cost and presentation. The number indicates how many shrimp per pound — a 21/25 count yields 21–25 shrimp per lb, while a 16/20 count yields larger shrimp at higher cost per lb. For scampi, 21/25 is the most common restaurant spec — each shrimp is substantial but the 8-count portion at 6 oz is visually generous without excessive ingredient cost.
Fresh vs. Frozen Shrimp
High-quality IQF (individually quick frozen) shrimp is excellent for scampi — the cooking process in butter, wine, and garlic makes freshness differences less perceptible than in raw applications. Most restaurants use IQF shrimp for scampi, which provides supply consistency, lower cost, and equivalent quality versus fresh in this application.
Unlike applications where fresh shrimp quality is perceptible (shrimp cocktail, ceviche), scampi's garlic butter wine preparation means IQF shrimp delivers equivalent guest satisfaction at 10–20% lower cost than fresh. Use the savings to buy a larger count size for visual generosity.
Lower Your Shrimp Scampi Cost With Better Distributor Pricing
The ingredient costs above are based on typical broadline distributor pricing. FrillPick compares prices across all your distributors so you always buy each ingredient from the cheapest source.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does shrimp cost a restaurant?
IQF 21/25 count shrimp typically prices at $6.00–$9.00/lb through US broadline distributors at 2026 pricing — approximately $0.38–$0.56/oz. 16/20 count (larger) shrimp prices 15–25% higher per pound. Fresh shrimp prices are higher and more volatile, tracking daily seafood market conditions.
What shrimp count is best for scampi?
21/25 count shrimp is the most common spec for restaurant shrimp scampi — substantial size (about 8 shrimp per 6 oz portion), good visual presentation, and favorable cost compared to larger counts. Some premium concepts use 16/20 count for a more generous visual impact at slightly higher cost.
Should restaurants use fresh or frozen shrimp for scampi?
IQF frozen shrimp is the most practical and cost-effective choice for scampi — the cooking application in butter, wine, and garlic is forgiving enough that the quality difference versus fresh is minimal for most guests. Reserve fresh shrimp for applications where texture and flavor are more perceptible.
What wine should restaurants use for cooking scampi?
Use a dry white wine that's drinkable but not expensive for cooking — pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, or dry vermouth are all appropriate. A cooking wine should cost $4–$8/bottle at wholesale. Never use 'cooking wine' products with added salt — they produce inferior results and cannot be tasted to verify quality.
Ingredient costs are estimates based on typical US broadline distributor pricing as of early 2026 and will vary by region, distributor, and market conditions. Use FrillPick to compare actual current pricing from your specific distributors.