Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa Pilaf

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and herbs served atop a fluffy quinoa pilaf enriched with fresh parsley and lemon zest. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large 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 400 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Mediterranean cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 3/4 cup dry quinoa under cold water, then combine with 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 large peeled and deveined shrimp, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Serve the garlic shrimp over the herbed quinoa pilaf immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa Pilaf 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 Herbed Quinoa Pilaf?

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 Herbed Quinoa Pilaf?

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 Herbed Quinoa Pilaf for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa Pilaf gluten free?

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

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