Sautéed Garlic Shrimp over Lemon Herb Quinoa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-28 · Updated 2026-06-28

Juicy sautéed shrimp infused with garlic served atop fluffy lemon and herb-infused quinoa for a light and flavorful seafood main. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Combine with 2 cups water in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
2. Step 2: Stir 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley into the cooked quinoa. Cover and set aside to keep warm.
3. Step 3: 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, being careful not to brown.
4. Step 4: Add 12 peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque.
5. Step 5: Serve the garlic shrimp immediately over the lemon herb quinoa, spooning any pan juices over the top for extra flavor.