Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa
Succulent shrimp sautéed with lemon and garlic served atop fluffy quinoa tossed with fresh herbs. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, minced garlic 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 minced garlic
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water and drain. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sauté shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side until opaque and slightly golden.
- Step 3: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Stir 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill into the cooked quinoa.
- Step 5: Serve shrimp on a bed of herbed quinoa, spooning any pan juices over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed 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 with Herbed 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 with Herbed 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 with Herbed 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 with Herbed 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.
