Man, shrimp and quinoa are like the coolest food combo right now. They both taste great and you feel good after eating them because its packed with good stuff like protein and fiber that your body needs. Plus they fits lots of diets, even gluten free or vegetarian if you skip the shrimp.
Now days cooking is more about eating healthy, not just eating junk, so shrimp quinoa dishes are popping up everywhere from fast cafes to fancy restaurants. Its pretty clear people want food thats simple but also good for you.
This guide gonna show you everything about shrimp and quinoa, from easy recipes to good tips on how to cook them right, and tell you why they are so good for you. Whether you know your way around a kitchen or hardly ever cook, youll find stuff here to try. Lets get started.
Nutritional Benefits of Shrimp and Quinoa
Shrimp and quinoa not only taste amazing, they also bring lots of health pros to your table. Learning their nutriotional facts can help you see why theyre so worth adding to your meals.
1. The Health Benefits of Shrimp
Shrimp is loaded with protein, about 24 grams in just a 3 ounce serving, so its great if you wanna build muscle or just keep you feeling full. And its low in calories and fat, only 84 calories and less than 1 gram fat, so its perfect if you want to manage your weight.
Shrimp also has stuff like iron wich helps move oxygen in your blood, selenium wich boosts your immune system and metabolism, and vitamin B12 thats key for your nerves and making blood cells. Thats a lot of good things in a tiny little shrimp.
2. The Advantages of Quinoa
Quinoa is often called a superfood because it have all nine amino acids your body cant make by itself. One cup cooked quinoa gives you about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber so it keeps you full longer.
Its gluten free, so people with celiac or gluten issues can eat it easy. And you can put it in salads, bowls, pilafs, casseroles, you name it. It also has minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and some B vitamins wich help your body in many ways.
Combining Shrimp and Quinoa
When you put shrimp and quinoa together you get great taste and texture because shrimp is soft and light and quinoa is a bit nutty and chewy. Its a balance that just works.
Here is some ideas to mix them up:
- Mix cooked shrimp with quinoa, fresh veggies and a lemony dressing for a quick salad
- Make a quinoa pilaf with shrimp and spices like cumin and paprika for extra kick
- Stir fry shrimp and quinoa with your favorite veggies and sauce
- Serve shrimp on a bed of quinoa with a squeeze of lemon and some herbs
Shrimp Quinoa Recipes
1. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Directions
1. Rinse quinoa under cold water then cook with 2 cups water, bring to boil and simmer about 15 minutes until its fluffy.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add garlic and cook about 1 minute until you smell it.
3. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, cook 2-3 minutes each side until they turn pink and opaque.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over shrimp, stir and take off heat.
5. Fluff quinoa with a fork and stir in shrimp. Top with parsley and serve warm.
Cooking Tips
Dont overcook the shrimp or they get rubbery. Once they turn pink they done coz they keep cooking a bit after you take them off heat.
2. Shrimp Quinoa Bowl with Avocado and Spinach
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 avocado sliced
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Your favorite dressing like balsamic vinaigrette
Directions
1. Cook quinoa per instructions, set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in skillet, add shrimp with salt and pepper, cook 3-4 minutes until pink and done.
3. In a bowl put spinach, quinoa, shrimp, avocado slices and tomatoes.
4. Drizzle dressing on top and mix gently before you eat.
Serving Suggestions
This makes a great lunch you can make ahead and store in fridge. Or serve with whole grain bread or light soup for full meal.
Tips for Cooking Shrimp and Quinoa Perfectly
1. How to Cook Quinoa
Rinse quinoa first to remove bitter coating. Use 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water. Bring to boil then lower heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Let it sit covered 5 minutes then fluff with fork.
2. Best Practices for Cooking Shrimp
Let shrimp come to room temp before you cook. Heat pan on medium high and dont crowd it. Cook until pink and opaque about 2-3 min per side.
Shrimp Quinoa Variations
You can change it up easy:
- Add chili flakes or hot sauce for a spicy twist
- Go Mediterranean with olives, feta and sun dried tomatoes
- Load up on veggies like bell peppers, zucchini or corn
Or switch quinoa with farro or brown rice, and trade shrimp for chicken or tofu if you want.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is shrimp quinoa a healthy meal?
Yes its healthy. You get lean protein from shrimp and protein plus fiber from quinoa so its balanced.
2. Can I use frozen shrimp for shrimp quinoa recipes?
Yes, just thaw them properly before cooking for best results.
3. How long does it take to cook quinoa?
About 15 minutes plus 5 more minutes to let it rest after cooking.
4. What is a good sauce for shrimp quinoa?
Try a light citrus vinaigrette, garlic butter sauce, or even a spicy peanut sauce.
Conclusion
Shrimp and quinoa together give you an awesome mix of flavors, textures and health benefits. With all these recipes and tips you can make cool meals fast and easy. Dont be shy to mix and match ingredients till you find your fav combo. Share your ideas or comments below!
shrimp quinoa
Equipment
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Measuring cups
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 Cutting board
- 4 Serving bowls
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa (uncooked) Rinse under cold water before cooking.
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (diced)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Feta cheese (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh strainer.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle with paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, stirring occasionally.
- Once the quinoa is ready, fluff it with a fork and season with a little salt, if desired.
- Divide the quinoa evenly among four serving bowls.
- Top each bowl of quinoa with the sautéed shrimp, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and chopped parsley. Drizzle with lemon juice and add feta cheese if using.
- Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Shrimp Quinoa Bowl!
