Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes
Quick-cooked shrimp with sweet cherry tomatoes and aromatic garlic in a vibrant lemon-garlic sauce for a light, fresh meal. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb shrimp, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 2: Push shrimp to one side of the skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1 lemon, cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften, then toss in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and cook for 1 more minute until sauce coats shrimp.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Shrimp with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes 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.
What goes well with Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
Italian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
