Lemon-Garlic Shrimp over Herb-Infused Quinoa
Succulent shrimp sautéed with garlic and lemon zest, served atop fluffy quinoa flavored with fresh herbs for a light and vibrant dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water, then combine with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a pot. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp lemon zest; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp lemon juice and stir to coat the shrimp, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
- Step 5: Fluff quinoa with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil. Serve the lemon-garlic shrimp over the herb-infused quinoa immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp over Herb-Infused Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp over Herb-Infused Quinoa?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Shrimp over Herb-Infused Quinoa?
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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp over Herb-Infused Quinoa 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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp over Herb-Infused Quinoa?
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.
