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Delicious Lemon Herb Shrimp with Quinoa for a healthy meal

Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Herbed Quinoa

This vibrant dish features tender shrimp marinated in a zesty lemon-garlic-herb sauce, quickly sautéed and served over fluffy herbed quinoa for a light and flavorful meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon Herb Shrimp

  • 1 lb Fresh shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves Fresh garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp Fresh dill chopped
  • 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes optional
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.25 tsp Black pepper

For the Quinoa

  • 1 cup Quinoa rinsed thoroughly
  • 2 cups Vegetable broth or chicken broth/water
  • 0.25 tsp A pinch of salt

Instructions
 

Cook the Quinoa

  • In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups vegetable broth (or water). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Prepare the Lemon Herb Marinade

  • In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped dill, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.

Marinate the Shrimp

  • Add the cleaned shrimp to the marinade and toss gently to coat evenly. Marinate at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, ensuring not to marinate longer to prevent the lemon juice from "cooking" them.

Sauté the Shrimp

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

Combine and Serve

  • Divide the cooked quinoa among plates and top with the zesty shrimp. Drizzle any remaining pan juices over the dish and garnish with fresh herbs or a lemon wedge as desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, do not overcook the shrimp, as it can become tough. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference. A quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving enhances the flavors even more.