Garlic Shrimp and Rice

Garlic shrimp and rice is simple, yet still feels elevated. With juicy shrimp, spinach, fresh garlic and chewy brown rice sauteed in rich butter and olive oil, this easy shrimp dinner recipe comes together in just 20 minutes—perfect for nights when you need to get a meal on the table quickly.

We mix cooked rice with the shrimp just before serving to coat each grain with garlic butter. If you prefer, you can plate the rice and spoon the shrimp and spinach on top. Add a squeeze of lemon for freshness, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for heat and some grated Parmesan for creamy, cheesy goodness.

Garlic Shrimp and Rice Ingredients

• Brown rice: Chewy and hearty, brown rice is a good source of dietary fiber and counts toward your daily servings of whole grains. We recommend instant rice for this recipe because it cooks much faster than long-grain rice. Feel free to use white rice if you like it better. Try cooking the rice in chicken or veggie broth for more flavor—it’s a great way to use up a leftover carton of broth sitting in the fridge.
• Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp work in this recipe. Look for medium shrimp (41-50 per pound). You can pluck the tails off before cooking the shrimp, or leave them intact for a photo-worthy presentation.
• Garlic: You can use canned minced garlic or garlic powder in a pinch, but fresh garlic makes a difference in the flavor department!
• Butter and olive oil: The shrimp and spinach cook in bothe butter and olive oil, but you could use all butter for richer flavor, or all olive oil to make it dairy-free.
• Fresh spinach: Spinach cooks in the same skillet as the shrimp, sparing you dishes and adding a pretty green color (plus good-for-you vitamins and minerals) to the dish. We recommend tender baby spinach, but you can use a bunch of mature spinach if that’s what you have on hand.
• Optional: We like serving garlic shrimp and rice with lemon wedges to add bright, citrusy flavor. If you love lemony shrimp, toss the shrimp with lemon zest or add a squeeze of lemon juice to the skillet.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the rice

Cook the instant brown rice according to package directions.

Editor’s Tip: After cooking the rice, let it stand, covered, for about five minutes to give the grains a chance to absorb the last traces of moisture without scorching on the bottom.

Step 2: Cook the shrimp and spinach

While the rice is cooking, Cook the shrimp, garlic and salt in butter and olive oil for one minute. Add the spinach, cover the skillet and cook until the shrimp turn pink and the spinach is wilted.

Editor’s Tip: Cook shrimp over medium heat to prevent toughness. They’ll take four to five minutes to cook, and you can ensure they cook evenly by flipping them or stirring halfway through.

Step 3: Stir everything together

Stir the hot, cooked rice into the skillet with the shrimp and spinach. If desired, sprinkle the dish with coarsely ground black pepper and serve it with lemon wedges.

Editor’s Tip: For a more intense lemony flavor, zest a lemon and stir it in with the rice.

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Garlic Shrimp and Rice Variations

• Add a splash of wine: Pour a bit of dry white wine into the skillet for extra flavor. Add it after cooking the shrimp and spinach and allow it to reduce for a minute or two before stirring in the rice.
• Give it some kick: Satisfy spice lovers by sprinkling red pepper flakes over the shrimp and spinach, or add a dash of hot sauce before serving.
• Grate some cheese: Stir grated Parmesan cheese into the shrimp and rice, and warm just until the cheese melts.
• Make it low-carb shrimp and rice: Cut carbohydrates and make this dish keto-friendly by substituting steamed cauliflower rice for the brown rice.
• Pack in the veggies: Many vegetables taste great with the combo of shrimp, rice and garlic butter. For earthy, aromatic flavors, try sauteing celery, onion and carrots before adding the shrimp and garlic to the skillet. You could also saute sliced mushrooms or asparagus spears cut into smaller pieces, or stir frozen peas in with the hot rice, heating until they’re warm.

How to Store Garlic Shrimp and Rice

Transfer leftover shrimp and rice to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to four days.

Can you make garlic shrimp and rice ahead of time?

Garlic butter shrimp will have the best flavor and texture when the rice is cooked fresh—and when you use instant rice, it doesn’t take very long at all. If you must, you can make the rice one day ahead of time (rice lasts in the fridge for a short window due to the risk of bacterial growth). Cool the rice quickly and refrigerate it in an airtight container. When ready to cook the shrimp, reheat the rice in the microwave or stovetop.

How do you reheat shrimp and rice?

You can reheat the shrimp and rice in a skillet set over medium heat for just a few minutes until they’re warm. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent the rice from drying out. You can also microwave leftovers.

Garlic Shrimp and Rice Tips

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Can you make garlic shrimp and rice with frozen shrimp?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp in this recipe. If you prefer, you can thaw the shrimp overnight in the fridge, but it’s not necessary. You can cook frozen shrimp in the skillet without thawing them first—just add a minute or two to the cooking time. Once cooked, frozen shrimp will turn pink and opaque and curl into a C shape.

Can you make this recipe with frozen rice?

Yes, you can use frozen rice to make this dish even faster and easier. Frozen rice cooks in just minutes and will dirty fewer dishes since it can go right into the skillet. Transfer the cooked shrimp and spinach to a bowl or plate, then cover it with foil. Add the frozen rice to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for about three minutes or until the rice is warm. Stir the shrimp and spinach back into the rice and dig in!

What other grains can you serve garlic shrimp with?

If you’re out of rice or in the mood for something different, toss the garlic shrimp and spinach with hot couscous, quinoa or barley. You could also turn this into a quick pasta dinner by serving the shrimp over linguine, angel hair, tortellini or your favorite noodles.

What can you serve with garlic shrimp and rice?

Garlic shrimp and rice is a complete meal in a bowl, but you can bulk it up by adding extra veggies or serving it with a side salad, fluffy dinner rolls or garlic bread.