Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon Zest
Quick shrimp cooked in garlic and lemon until tender, finished with fresh herbs for a bright, elegant weeknight meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zest and 1 tbsp juice lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Step 3: Return shrimp to skillet and toss with 1 tbsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp chopped parsley. Cook for 1 minute more until heated through and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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 Lemon Zest?
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 Lemon Zest?
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 Lemon Zest 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 Lemon Zest?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
