Garlic Shrimp Bowl Dinner (Printable)
Garlicky shrimp over rice with cherry tomatoes, avocado and cucumber - ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Shrimp
01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
05 - 1/2 tsp paprika
06 - 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
14 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp with minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - While the shrimp marinates, prepare the rice according to package instructions if not already cooked. Keep warm until ready to assemble.
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.
04 - Divide the cooked rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with the sautéed shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
05 - Finish each bowl with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro or parsley and serve alongside fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The entire thing comes together in half an hour, which means you can genuinely say you cooked dinner without it taking over your evening.
- That garlic and paprika marinade soaks into the shrimp fast and transforms plain protein into something you will actually crave again.
02 -
- Do not marinate the shrimp longer than fifteen minutes because the lemon juice will begin to break down the proteins and leave you with a mushy texture no one wants.
- Crowding the pan is the fastest way to end up with steamed shrimp instead of beautifully seared ones, so cook them in two batches if your skillet is not large enough.
03 -
- Let the skillet get fully hot before adding the shrimp because that initial contact with a hot surface is what creates the golden sear instead of a pale boiled look.
- Slice all your vegetables while the shrimp marinates so everything is ready to assemble the moment the shrimp leave the pan and the bowl building feels effortless.