Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
Quick and simple Whole30 shrimp sautéed with garlic, fresh spinach, and sweet cherry tomatoes for a nutritious and vibrant meal. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 (gluten free) ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
- 6 cups, washed and trimmed fresh spinach
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 6 cups fresh spinach and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet with 1/2 tsp salt. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to the pan and toss gently with vegetables. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tsp lemon zest over the top. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Spinach 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 Spinach 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 large shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Spinach 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 Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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.
Is Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My go-to Whole30 meal. The shrimp stayed juicy and the spinach cooked just right—simple and elegant.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick dinner that even my kids devoured! The garlic and tomatoes made it so flavorful without any extra sauce.
- ★★★★★
Served it at a dinner party and everyone asked for the recipe. So fresh and light!








