Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Quinoa

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent shrimp cooked in garlic butter served on a bed of fluffy quinoa brightened with fresh lemon and herbs. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten free, low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, sauté for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter is melted.
  4. Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet, toss to coat in garlic butter, and cook for an additional minute.
  5. Step 5: Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
  6. Step 6: Serve the garlic butter shrimp on a bed of lemon herb quinoa, garnishing with extra parsley if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over 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 Butter Shrimp over 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over 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 Butter Shrimp over 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.

Is Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Quinoa gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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