Sautéed Garlic Ginger Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
Quick and vibrant shrimp sautéed with garlic and ginger tossed with tender zucchini noodles for a light and flavorful Whole30-compliant dinner. This asian-inspired seafood (whole30, low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, zucchini, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 large shrimp
- 4 medium, spiralized into noodles (about 6 cups) zucchini
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 6 cups spiralized zucchini noodles and 1/2 tsp salt, tossing gently to coat in the garlic-ginger oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes until noodles are just tender but still have bite.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet, drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and toss everything together for 1 minute to combine and heat through.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Ginger Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Ginger Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Ginger Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
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 Ginger Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles 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 Ginger Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, low carb, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So flavorful and easy. The shrimp was tender and the sauce was delicious.
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit with my family! The garlic and ginger really popped, and the zucchini noodles were perfect.
- ★★★★★
Loved how quick and healthy this was. My kids even ate the zucchini noodles!








