Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Basil over Lemon Rice
Tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and fresh basil served atop fragrant lemon-infused rice for a bright and satisfying seafood dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice and 2 cups water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp lemon zest, fluffing with a fork.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to brown.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 2 tbsp lemon juice, tossing shrimp gently to coat.
- Step 5: Serve shrimp on a bed of lemon rice immediately, garnished with extra basil if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Basil over Lemon 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Basil over Lemon 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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Basil over Lemon 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Basil over Lemon 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Basil over Lemon Rice?
Mediterranean 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.
