Lemon-Herb Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini
A luxurious, creamy shrimp dish infused with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs, ready in under 20 minutes for an elegant weeknight dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (whole30) ready in about 25 minutes pairs avocado oil, large shrimp, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 12 oz large shrimp
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- to taste salt
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt. Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil to skillet, then stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Pour in coconut milk and lemon juice, then stir in thyme. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return shrimp to skillet, toss to coat, and cook for 1 minute to heat through.
- Step 6: Stir in chopped parsley, remove from heat, and garnish with fresh basil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini 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-Herb Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini?
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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini?
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-Herb Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini 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-Herb Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
