Lemon Garlic Skillet Shrimp

Lemon garlic shrimp cooking quickly in a hot skillet—simple, fast, and packed with flavor.

Shrimp is one of those foods that everyone in our house agrees on—and that’s saying something. Both girls absolutely love it, and lately one bag just isn’t cutting it anymore. What used to be plenty is now barely enough, so I’m almost at the point of cooking two bags at a time!

This lemon garlic skillet shrimp has become our go-to. It’s fast, simple, and works with just about anything. We use it as a protein for lunch bowls, salads, grain dishes, and easy dinners, and it’s especially good paired with the Cauliflower Couscous Salad I shared recently. We mention that pairing in the salad post, and it really does go both ways—together they make a complete, balanced Mediterranean-style meal.

Why Shrimp Fits the Mediterranean Diet

Shrimp is a great protein option within the Mediterranean Diet when it’s prepared simply, like this:

• Lean protein: Shrimp is naturally low in fat and high in protein, which helps keep meals filling without feeling heavy.

• Omega-3s: While not as high as fatty fish, shrimp still contributes beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

• Minerals: Shrimp provides selenium, iodine, and zinc, all important for thyroid and immune function.

• Quick-cooking: Because it cooks so fast, there’s less temptation to overcomplicate it with heavy sauces or processed ingredients.

Paired with olive oil, garlic, and lemon, it stays light, flavorful, and very Mediterranean.

A Truly Versatile Protein

This shrimp works with so many different meals:

• Served alongside roasted vegetables

• Added to grain bowls, pasta, or rice

• Paired with a simple salad and bread for an easy weeknight dinner

It’s also a great recipe to scale up. If your family loves shrimp as much as mine does, doubling the recipe is easy and worth it.

Lemon garlic shrimp served over cauliflower couscous salad for an easy, protein-forward Mediterranean-style meal.

How We Serve It Most Often

We most often pair this shrimp with the Cauliflower Couscous Salad, especially for lunches or light dinners. The spices in the shrimp complement the salad perfectly, and together they make a balanced meal with protein, fiber, healthy fats, and plenty of flavor.

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Lemon Garlic Skillet Shrimp

Yield: 4

Author: Siena Haskell

Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

A quick lemon garlic skillet shrimp recipe that’s flavorful, versatile, and ready in minutes. Perfect as a Mediterranean Diet protein for lunches and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cumin (optional, but ties in well with the cauliflower couscous salad)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Optional: chopped parsley, for finishing

Instructions

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
2. Toss shrimp with salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through.
5. Add garlic during the last 30 seconds of cooking, stirring gently so it doesn’t burn.
6. Remove from heat and finish with lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped parsley, if using.

Nutrition facts are approximate and may vary.