Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Light and vibrant zucchini noodles tossed with garlic and lemon-infused shrimp, offering a fresh and Whole30-friendly low-carb dinner option. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe (whole30, low carb), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs large zucchini, spiralized into noodles, large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 6 cups spiralized zucchini noodles and sauté for 3-4 minutes until just tender but still slightly crisp.
  4. Step 4: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, add 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, and toss everything together for 1 minute to combine and heat through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp?

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 Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp 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 Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, low carb, 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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