Garlic Shrimp Bowl Dinner (Printable)

Garlicky shrimp on rice with fresh vegetables and lime for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Rice

08 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice

→ Vegetables & Toppings

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 avocado, sliced
11 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
12 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
14 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - While the shrimp marinate, cook the rice according to the package instructions if not already prepared. Fluff with a fork and set aside, keeping warm.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp in an even layer and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
04 - Divide the warm rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange the sautéed shrimp over the rice, then top with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
05 - Sprinkle each bowl with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve alongside lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The marinade takes ten minutes and transforms plain shrimp into something genuinely exciting.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means cleanup is almost nothing.
  • It is naturally gluten free and dairy free without tasting like you compromised on anything.
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery and sad, so pull them off the heat the moment they are just pink and slightly firm.
  • Patting frozen shrimp dry after thawing is the single step that determines whether you get a sear or a steam.
  • Assembling the bowls right before serving keeps the avocado from browning and the cucumber from getting soggy.
03 -
  • Let the skillet get fully hot before adding shrimp because that initial contact creates the golden crust that carries all the garlic flavor.
  • Slice all your vegetables while the shrimp marinates so the actual cooking and assembly feels effortless and calm.

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