One-Pan Garlic Herb Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon
A light and flavorful 20-minute dinner featuring plump shrimp and crisp asparagus tossed in a garlic-herb lemon sauce. This mediterranean-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, minced garlic cloves, finely chopped fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 bunch, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces asparagus
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 bunch trimmed asparagus and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender with slight char, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Push asparagus to one side of the skillet, then add 12 oz peeled shrimp to the empty space. Season shrimp with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then cook for 2 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp chopped thyme to the skillet, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant and garlic is golden (do not brown).
- Step 4: Toss in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest, then add the cooked asparagus back to the skillet with shrimp. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring until everything is evenly coated and fragrant.
- Step 5: Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking shrimp. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Herb Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Herb Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Herb Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon?
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 One-Pan Garlic Herb Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Herb Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon?
Mediterranean quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
