Sautéed Garlic Lime Shrimp with Cilantro Rice
Juicy shrimp imbibed with zesty lime and garlic flavors, served atop aromatic cilantro-infused rice for a bright and refreshing meal. This latin american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp zest of 1 lime
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, fluffing rice gently.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and immediately stir in 3 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 tsp lime zest, letting shrimp imbibe the citrus flavors for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Serve the garlic lime shrimp over the cilantro rice, spooning any pan juices on top for extra flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Lime Shrimp with Cilantro Rice 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 Lime Shrimp with Cilantro 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Lime Shrimp with Cilantro 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 Sautéed Garlic Lime Shrimp with Cilantro Rice 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 Lime Shrimp with Cilantro Rice?
Latin 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.
