Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Noodles
A light, stress-free meal featuring zucchini noodles and shrimp cooked in a bright lemon-garlic sauce to avoid energy crashes. This italian-inspired whole30 (low-carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs medium, spiralized zucchini, peeled and deveined shrimp, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, spiralized zucchini
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped chives
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1/2 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in lemon zest and juice.
- Step 3: Add spiralized zucchini to the skillet, tossing for 2 minutes until tender-crisp. Return shrimp to skillet, add sea salt and black pepper, and toss to coat. Top with chives before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Zucchini Noodles?
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 medium, spiralized zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Noodles?
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 Zucchini Noodles 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.
Is Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Noodles low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
