Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Quinoa Skillet
Plump succulent garlic-butter seared shrimp over fluffy herb-seasoned quinoa with sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and fresh lemon.
In a nutshell: This authentic mediterranean-american lemon garlic shrimp & quinoa skillet comes together in just 35 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret is to Rinsing raw quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve removes naturally occurring bitter saponin, yieldi. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Riding Pinterest's #1 breakout food trend (+3,500% MoM search surge), this Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Quinoa Skillet is a vibrant, protein-packed 35-minute dinner! Plump jumbo shrimp seared in garlic butter over nutty quinoa with sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and fresh lemon wheels.
Key Equipment
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- Large heavy skillet or cast iron pan
- Fine-mesh strainer (for rinsing quinoa)
- Chef's knife
- Tongs
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Rinse quinoa before cooking: Rinsing raw quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve removes naturally occurring bitter saponin, yielding sweet, nutty grains.
- Sear shrimp hot and fast: Cook shrimp for just 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; overcooking makes shrimp rubbery.
- Fresh lemon zest adds restaurant aroma: Grate lemon zest into the garlic butter sauce right before folding in the warm quinoa.
Ingredients
4
servings
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1 lb jumbo shrimp (16/20 count), peeled, deveined, tails on or off, patted dry
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1 cup uncooked white or tri-color quinoa, rinsed thoroughly in fine-mesh sieve
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2 cups low-sodium chicken bone broth or vegetable broth, for cooking quinoa
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2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, for rich garlic butter sauce
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5 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen
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2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
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1 large lemon, zested and juiced, plus 1 extra sliced for garnish
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¼ cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
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1 tsp kosher salt and cracked black pepper, divided
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook Fluffy Quinoa
Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and 2 cups chicken broth with a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, let stand covered 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Sear Garlic Butter Shrimp
Season peeled shrimp with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until pink, curled, and just opaque. Transfer shrimp immediately to a clean plate.
Sauté Vegetables & Aromatics
In the same hot skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add halved cherry tomatoes and sweet corn, cooking for 3 minutes until tomatoes blister slightly. Add baby spinach and stir until just wilted (about 1 minute).
Combine & Finish with Lemon
Add the warm fluffy quinoa into the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and half the chopped parsley. Toss thoroughly until hot and evenly coated in savory pan juices.
Nestle Shrimp & Serve
Arrange seared golden shrimp on top of the quinoa bed. Garnish with charred lemon wheels and remaining fresh parsley. Serve immediately straight from the warm skillet!
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
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Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
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Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
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Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
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Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
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Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
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Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
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Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! Thaw frozen peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp completely in cold water and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels before searing.
Absolutely! Store in airtight glass containers for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Farro, brown rice, or cauliflower rice (for low-carb) work wonderfully with the lemon-garlic butter sauce.
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