Easy Healthy Lemon Garlic Shrimp (Printable Version)

Succulent shrimp cooked with lemon and garlic, served on brown rice with fresh vegetables and herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon

→ Rice and Vegetables

08 - 2 cups cooked brown rice
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
11 - 1 avocado, diced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

→ Garnish and Sauce

13 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, optional
14 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium mixing bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and half the lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated.
02 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque throughout. Remove from heat and drizzle with remaining lemon juice.
03 - While shrimp cooks, divide cooked brown rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Top each portion with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced avocado, and fresh chopped herbs.
04 - Arrange hot cooked shrimp over the vegetable and rice base in each bowl. Drizzle with Greek yogurt if desired and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Lightning-fast: Ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Nutritious and balanced: Packed with lean protein, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Bursting with flavor: The lemon-garlic combination elevates the shrimp while keeping things light and refreshing.
  • Highly customizable: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice, add your favorite veggies, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
  • Diet-friendly: Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free (without the yogurt), and low-carb adaptable.
02 -
  • Buy quality shrimp: Look for wild-caught shrimp when possible for better flavor and sustainability.
  • Prep ahead: Cook your rice in advance and chop all vegetables earlier in the day to make assembly even faster.
  • Don't overcook: Shrimp cook very quickly—watch for them to turn pink and curl slightly, usually 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Toast the paprika: If using smoked paprika, let it bloom in the warm oil briefly before adding the shrimp for deeper flavor.
  • Room temperature avocado: Take your avocado out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving for better flavor and creamier texture.
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