Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Herb Quinoa Salad
Bright, citrus-marinated shrimp grilled to juicy perfection served over a fresh herb quinoa salad bursting with flavor and texture. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 small, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp cumin powder. Add 1 lb peeled shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
- Step 3: Stir 1 diced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped mint, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into the cooked quinoa.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Serve grilled shrimp on a bed of the herb quinoa salad for a refreshing, balanced meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Herb Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Herb Quinoa Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Herb Quinoa Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Herb Quinoa Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Herb Quinoa Salad?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
