One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Rice
A simple one-pot meal combining tender shrimp with fragrant garlic butter and fresh spinach, served over fluffy rice. This seafood-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs uncooked long-grain white rice, water, large shrimp, peeled and deveined for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 12 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium pot, combine 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
- Step 2: While the rice cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1/2 tsp black pepper and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side until opaque and pink.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 cups fresh spinach leaves and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle 1 tbsp lemon juice over the shrimp and spinach mixture. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and serve the shrimp and spinach mixture over the rice immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Rice?
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 water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Rice?
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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Rice?
Seafood one pot 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.
