Mediterranean Style Sauteed Garlic Shrimp

I love cooking with shrimp because it is packed with protein, lean, low in calories, and is one of the fastest foods you can cook! Since shrimp cooks in the blink of an eye, it makes it ideal for whipping together something quick, like this healthy shrimp and vegetables dinner, any night of the week. Shrimp is also a huge part of a Mediterranean diet because fresh fish and seafood are key sources of healthy protein and other nutrients. We aim to eat seafood about two times per week (as the Mediterranean diet recommends,) and this sautéed shrimp is an easy way to do that. You’ll love this healthy shrimp and vegetables recipe. Fresh veggies–zucchini, onions, and bell peppers–paired with succulent shrimp, and protein packed chickpeas. And the flavors will surprise you in the best way possible–a few spices, coupled with lemon juice and a bright pop of fresh basil! So good. And if you’ve ever been intimated by cooking shrimp, fear not! It’s super easy to cook shrimp in the skillet, but a couple of tips make all the difference, so read on…

Why this sautéed shrimp recipe works?

Three things I love about this satueed shrimp and zucchini recipe: few ingredients; one skillet; and just over 20 minutes start-to-finish! And the biggest draw for me is just how bright and wholesome this dish is. Tender zucchini, onions, and bell peppers pack the dish with fresh veggies. Chickpeas add more protein and fiber. And the additions of warm spices (oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika), along with bright lemon juice, fresh basil, and cherry tomatoes make the dish pop with color and flavor! And…at 234 calories per serving; less than 6 grams of good fat; and loads of fiber and protein, this shrimp and vegetables recipe makes one light and feel-good weeknight meal. Here’s what’s in it in detail…

Ingredients for shrimp and zucchini recipe

Large Shrimp (Prawns) – Prawns are like large shrimp, which are great in this recipe since they are a little bigger and heartier. They are mild and sweet in flavor and are beautifully tender when cooked right(tips below)! However, shrimp and prawns are very similar in flavor and texture and can be used interchangeably. Chickpeas – Chickpeas add great texture, volume, and plant-based protein to this sautéed shrimp and vegetables. They have a bit of nuttiness and a meaty texture. Using canned and drained chickpeas in this recipe keeps the meal easy-peasy. Vegetables- Loads of beautiful veggies to bring in texture, flavor and color

Onions, thinly sliced Bell peppers, sliced into sticks Zucchini, sliced into half moons Cherry tomatoes, halved

These fresh veggies are a tasty combo of flavors. Onions provide lots of sweet flavor and great depth, zucchini is tender and mild, bell peppers are packed with sweetness, and the halved cherry tomatoes at the very end give a tasty burst of freshness and make the dish feel extra light. Lemon Juice- lemon is the perfect blast of acidity for the dish.Lemon and shrimp are a match made in heaven. Fresh lemon juice brings even more bright flavor to the sautéed shrimp and zucchini. Fresh Garlic and Spices – Fresh garlic cloves go well in everything, I like to mince the garlic real small to capitalize on its flavor. The garlic is sauteed with the onions at first to kick start the flavoring process, while dried spices like oregano, coriander, cumin, and sweet paprika create depth of flavor. Fresh Herbs – In this sautéed shrimp recipe, I used fresh basil at the very end. Do not skip this part, it really does make a difference. But, if basil is not available to you, you can use any fresh herb you like or have in the house. Fresh parsley or cilantro would go perfectly.

Tips for how to cook shrimp in a skillet

Cooking shrimp in a skillet it as simple as it can get, but it is easy to overcook shrimp. A few tips do make all the difference for getting perfectly sautéed shrimp every time:

Cook the shrimp until just pinkEven large shrimp cook super quickly. Overcooking shrimp is about the only way you can ruin them (they become chewy and tough.) Cook the shrimp until they turn that pinkish color, they curl in a bit, and the translucent grey color turns white. That’s it, they are done! Usually they need no more than a few minutes of cooking time. In this recipe, they will not take longer than 4-5 minutes (about 2 minutes or so per side). Make Sure Your Skillet is HotMaking sure that your skillet is on medium-high heat will give you the best cooked shrimp. Not only will the shrimp cook quickly, but they will get a bit of a browned crust on the outside, which provides a lot of delicious flavor.To make sure everything is cooked properly in this recipe, you’ll start by cooking the veggies first and then the shrimp separately. Here is how…

How to make sautéed shrimp with veggies

Season the shrimpMix your combine your dried oregano, ground cumin, ground coriander, and sweet paprika in a small bowl. Pat the shrimp dry and toss it with kosher salt, black pepper, and about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice mixture. Refrigerate for now, or if you’re working quickly, set the shrimp aside. Sautee the vegetablesIn a large skillet, cook the garlic and onion in a bit of extra virgin olive oil, tossing until they soften a bit, then add the zucchini, bell peppers, and chickpeas. Season with a bit of kosher salt and black pepper and the remaining spices. Toss and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the veggies soften and char in some parts. Transfer the veggies and chickpeas to a plate for now. Sautee the shrimpTo the skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the shrimp, a little more garlic and cook over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally, until the shrimp turns pink (about 3 minutes or so, depending on the size of the shrimp. Combine the shrimp, veggies, tomatoes and fresh basilAdd the veggies and chickpeas back to the skillet. Add the tomatoes and toss briefly. Finish with fresh lemon juice and basil. Serve!

Leftovers?

You can store leftover sauteed shrimp and vegetables in an airtight container for about 3 days.

How to reheat shrimp?

The best way to reheat shrimp and your leftovers is by heating a skillet over medium-high heat and giving it a quick warm through, don’t keep it on the heat too long. Your goal is to warm the food, but not completely overcook your shrimp.

What to serve with sauteed shrimp?

In this sauteed shrimp recipe, we already have our protein and veggies in one skillet. You barely need to add anything else! But here are a few suggestions, if you’re looking for something more to add:

Mediterranean Sauces: Drizzle a bit of tahini or add a dollop of Greek tzatziki or Baba Ganoush! Sides: Greek lemon rice; plain orzo; or grain of your choice Starter Salads: Greek salad; Shirazi Salad; or Tabouli