Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Lemon-Dill Couscous

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bright, 20-minute dinner featuring plump shrimp sautéed in garlic and lemon, served over fluffy herb-infused couscous. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs shrimp, couscous, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 470 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 470 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse shrimp under cold water, pat dry, and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Finely mince garlic and zest 1 lemon, reserving juice.
  2. Step 2: Bring 1 cup chicken broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add couscous, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes until fluffy, then fluff with a fork and stir in lemon zest and 1 tbsp dill.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add lemon juice and cook for 30 seconds until sizzling. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat, cooking for 1 more minute until heated through. Stir in remaining 1 tbsp dill before serving over couscous.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Lemon-Dill 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 Lemon-Dill 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 Lemon-Dill 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 Lemon-Dill Couscous for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Dill 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.

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