Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa

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

Succulent shrimp seared to perfection with lemon and garlic, served over a bed of fluffy herbed quinoa for a light and flavorful meal. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse the quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear, then transfer to a saucepan with 2 cups water and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
  2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  3. Step 3: Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside. Add the 1/4 cup lemon juice to the skillet and stir to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits, then add the 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 1/4 cup chopped dill. Cook for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork, then divide into bowls. Top with the shrimp and pour the lemon-garlic sauce over the shrimp and quinoa.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa?

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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa?

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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa?

American 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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