Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Herb Quinoa
Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and served atop fluffy quinoa brightened with fresh lemon and herbs for a light, nutritious dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 lb, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp, optional red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 1/2 tsp salt, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp along with 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest.
- Step 5: Fluff quinoa with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Serve shrimp spooned over lemon herb quinoa immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Herb Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Herb 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Herb 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Herb Quinoa for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Herb Quinoa?
Mediterranean 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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