Juicy shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil, tossed with tender spinach and finished with a squeeze of lemon. Low in carbs, high in protein, and ready in minutes!
🛠️ Equipment Needed:
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Mixing spoon or tongs
- Knife and cutting board
- Paper towels (for drying shrimp)
📝 Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail on or off)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for richness)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups fresh spinach (about 6 oz)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Grated parmesan or lemon zest (optional garnish)
🍴 Ingredient Notes:
- Shrimp: Medium or large shrimp work best. Thaw frozen shrimp under cold water and pat dry before cooking.
- Spinach: Baby spinach wilts quickly and doesn’t require chopping.
- Butter: Optional but adds a silky finish and flavor depth.
- Lemon: Balances the richness and brightens the dish.
⏱️ Time:
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 10–12 minutes
- Total: ~15–20 minutes
- Serves: 2–3
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Prep the Shrimp
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Sauté Garlic
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook the Shrimp
Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1½–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from pan and set aside.
4. Wilt the Spinach
Add butter (if using) and spinach to the skillet. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until just wilted. Season lightly.
5. Combine & Finish
Return shrimp to the pan, toss everything together, and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
6. Serve
Garnish with lemon zest, parmesan, or more chili flakes. Serve warm!
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving, approx.):
- Calories: ~280
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbs: ~4g
- Fat: ~16g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Net Carbs: ~2g
💡 Tips:
- Don’t overcook shrimp — they go rubbery quickly. Remove as soon as they’re pink and curled.
- Add sliced mushrooms or cherry tomatoes for extra veggies.
- Make it a full meal: serve over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or mashed avocado.
🔄 Variations:
- Garlic butter shrimp: Use all butter and add chopped parsley.
- Asian-style: Swap lemon for lime, and add a splash of tamari or sesame oil.
- Creamy version: Add a splash of cream and a sprinkle of parmesan at the end.
