10 Delicious Side Dishes to Pair with Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice

Looking for a quick weeknight dinner that feels fancy without the fuss? This Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Rice is your answer. Tender shrimp are sautéed in a buttery garlic sauce with a bright splash of lemon, then piled onto fluffy rice for a simple, satisfying seafood meal. It’s an easy seafood dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings in the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia. Whether you’re cooking for family or just craving a restaurant-style meal at home, this shrimp dinner recipe delivers big flavor and protein without a lot of work. We’ll walk through why shrimp and rice are both nutritious and filling, share the full ingredient list (with metric & imperial units), and give you step-by-step instructions to make this dish a success. Let’s dive into this healthy shrimp recipe that’s sure to become a go-to weeknight favorite!

Nutritional Benefits of Shrimp and Rice

Shrimp is a superstar in the nutrition department. Despite being low in calories, it’s packed with protein – about 20 grams of protein in a 3-ounce (85g) serving healthline.com. This makes garlic butter shrimp a high-protein seafood meal that helps you feel full and supports muscle maintenance. Shrimp also provides key nutrients like iodine and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your thyroid and heart eatingwell.com. In fact, dietitians note that shrimp are “low in calories” and “a great source of protein,” with added nutrients such as selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, copper, and the antioxidant astaxanthin eatingwell.com. All this means you get big nutritional benefits along with delicious flavor.

Why Rice is the Perfect Partner for Garlic Butter Shrimp

Rice is an energy-rich, gluten-free side that perfectly complements garlic butter shrimp. A 100g serving of cooked long-grain white rice has about 131 calories, 2.8g protein, and just 0.5g fiber bbcgoodfood.com. Brown rice is similar in calories (~132 kcal) but higher in protein (3.6g) and fiber (1.5g) bbcgoodfood.com. Healthline notes that brown rice provides roughly twice the fiber of white healthline.com, which supports digestion and steady energy release.

Garlic butter shrimp is rich in lean protein and savory flavor, and rice adds the carbohydrates and fiber it lacks. Together they form a balanced meal: shrimp provides protein and iodine, while rice (especially brown rice) adds energy and nutrients such as magnesium and phosphorus bbcgoodfood.com. The carbohydrates in rice supply fast energy and the fiber in brown rice helps steady blood sugar, keeping you satisfied bbcgoodfood.com healthline.com. Overall, rice’s mix of carbs, fiber and micronutrients makes it a wholesome complement to garlic butter shrimp.

Sources: BBC Good Food’s nutrition tables for rice bbcgoodfood.com; Healthline comparison of white vs brown rice healthline.com.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp (Metric & Imperial)

• Shrimp: 450 g (1 lb) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (use large or jumbo shrimp for best texture)
• Salt & pepper: To taste (season the shrimp and rice generously)
• Butter: 2–3 tbsp (30–45 ml) unsalted butter – for rich, garlicky flavor
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil – to keep the butter from burning
• Garlic: 3–4 cloves, minced (add more if you love garlic)
• Lemon: 1 large lemon – zest (~1 tbsp) and juice (~2 tbsp) for bright citrus notes (reserve extra lemon slices for garnish)
• Rice: 1 cup (200 g) uncooked long-grain white or brown rice (yields about 3 cups cooked)
• Broth: 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth – to cook the rice (adds flavor)
• Parsley: ~2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish; optional)

Notes: You can customize this recipe by using brown rice (to boost fiber), adding vegetables (see variations), or swapping the seasoning. If you prefer more heat, red pepper flakes or paprika are great additions (see Variations below).

Step-by-Step Instructions for Garlic Butter Shrimp

These simple steps will turn raw shrimp and rice into a delicious one-pan meal. The key is to build flavor in the pan with garlic and lemon, then cook everything together so the rice soaks up the savory juices. Don’t worry if you’ve never cooked shrimp before – it cooks very quickly and the steps are easy to follow. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prep the ingredients. If your shrimp are frozen, thaw them in the fridge or under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper. Zest the lemon and squeeze out the juice (you’ll use about 2 tablespoons of juice). Mince the garlic cloves. This prep step keeps things moving once you start cooking.
2. Sauté the garlic. In a large deep skillet or sauté pan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. When the butter is melted and foaming, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant (be careful not to let the garlic brown too much, or it will become bitter). This infuses the fat with garlicky flavor right at the start.
3. Toast the rice. Add the uncooked rice to the pan with the garlic butter. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until the rice grains turn slightly translucent and start to sizzle. Toasting the rice briefly in the butter adds a nutty flavor and helps it stay fluffy.
4. Add liquid and lemon. Pour in the 2 cups (480 ml) of chicken or vegetable broth. Stir in the lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer gently. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is almost tender. (If using brown rice, you may need a few extra minutes or a splash more water, since it takes longer to cook.)
5. Cook the shrimp. After the rice has simmered 10 minutes, lift the lid and distribute the shrimp evenly over the surface of the rice. Try not to stir the rice too much – just nestle the shrimp on top so they can steam. Cover the pan again and continue cooking for 5–7 more minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through (internal temp should reach about 63°C/145°F).
6. Finish and serve. Turn off the heat. Let the pan rest, still covered, for 3–5 minutes. This standing time lets the rice finish absorbing any leftover liquid and keeps the shrimp tender. Then, remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice gently and stir the shrimp into the rice. Taste the dish and adjust salt or pepper if needed.

Each step is straightforward, making this a perfect recipe for beginners or busy cooks. If you have leftover lemon slices or parsley, scatter them on top as a garnish for extra color and brightness. Enjoy the hot shrimp and rice right away!

Variations on Garlic Butter Shrimp

This shrimp dinner recipe is very adaptable. Here are a few ideas to change it up:

• Shrimp Scampi Pasta: Skip the rice entirely and toss the garlic-butter shrimp with 8 oz (225 g) of cooked spaghetti or linguine. Add a splash of pasta water to the pan if needed to help the sauce coat the noodles. Finish with parsley and grated Parmesan for a classic shrimp scampi twist.
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp: For heat, sprinkle in ¼–½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or cayenne) when sautéing the garlic. You could also add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of smoked paprika with the garlic. The result is a spicy garlic butter shrimp dish that’s perfect if you like a little kick.
• Dairy-Free Version: Omit the butter and use 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil or avocado oil instead. Coconut oil also works (it gives a slight coconut aroma that pairs nicely with lemon). The flavor will still be rich and garlicky. If you want a creamy texture without butter, stir in a tablespoon of coconut milk or a splash of non-dairy milk at the end.
• Veggie-Loaded Shrimp Rice: Stir in vegetables like diced bell peppers, peas, or asparagus tips during step 2 when the garlic is cooking. Cook until the veggies are slightly tender before adding the rice and broth. This turns it into a colorful, veggie-packed one-pan meal.
• Shrimp & Quinoa: Substitute cooked quinoa for rice (either cook the quinoa separately or add ½ cup quinoa and 1 cup broth). The quinoa adds protein and a nutty flavor, similar to our [Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa, Black Beans, and Cheddar] taylorrecipe.com recipe.

Feel free to mix and match these ideas. The basic garlic-butter-and-lemon flavor goes well with many ingredients, so get creative!

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This garlic butter shrimp with lemon and rice is a complete, flavorful meal all on its own, but here are some tips to round it out and store any leftovers:

• Serving: Serve the shrimp and rice garnished with the chopped parsley and extra lemon wedges. A crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted vegetables make a fresh side. For an indulgent meal, offer garlic bread or crusty baguette to soak up the buttery sauce. You can even pair this dish with other recipes on our site – for example, a side of Quick and Easy Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella for the Whole Family adds cheesy comfort taylorrecipe.com, or a plate of Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Rice complements the lemon-garlic flavors nicely taylorrecipe.com. For a vegetarian option alongside, try our Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa, Black Beans, and Cheddar taylorrecipe.com.
• Leftovers: Let any extra shrimp and rice cool completely, then store in an airtight container. Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave (adding a splash of broth or water if it seems dry) until warmed through. Freezing: You can freeze this dish, although shrimp can become a bit softer after thawing. To freeze, pack portions in freezer bags or containers and seal tightly. It will keep for up to 1–2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Tips: Shrimp can overcook easily, so be careful when reheating not to make it rubbery. Stir gently and heat only until just warm. If desired, sprinkle a little extra lemon juice on the reheated dish to revive the bright citrus flavor.

Enjoy this high-protein seafood meal knowing it’s both easy to make and nutritionally balanced. For more dinner inspiration, explore our other recipes: try the creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Rice taylorrecipe.com for another flavorful skillet dinner, or our hearty Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa, Black Beans, and Cheddar taylorrecipe.com as a plant-packed alternative. If you’re in the mood for pasta, you can’t go wrong with Quick and Easy Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella taylorrecipe.com for a cozy, cheesy feast.

Sources: Nutrition facts for shrimp and rice from Healthline and BBC Good Food healthline.com bbcgoodfood.com; dietitian insights from EatingWell eatingwell.com (all cited above). Enjoy your garlic butter shrimp dinner!