Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Couscous
Juicy shrimp sautéed with lemon and garlic, served atop fluffy couscous mixed with fresh herbs for a light and flavorful meal. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 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 350 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 couscous
- 1 1/4 cups boiling water
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pour 1 cup couscous into a large heatproof bowl and pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it. Cover tightly with a lid or plate and let it steam for 5 minutes until the water is absorbed and couscous is fluffy.
- Step 2: Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint, and 1 tsp salt. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using). Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Serve the lemon-garlic shrimp over the herbed couscous, spooning any pan juices on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Couscous take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 with Herbed Couscous?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Couscous?
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 with Herbed Couscous 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 with Herbed Couscous?
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.
