Shrimp Quinoa Bowl: High Protein Meal Prep (Print Version)
Shrimp quinoa bowls packed with lean protein and fresh veggies. Meal prep-friendly, ready in 30 minutes, and great for the whole week.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Halal
# Ingredients:
→ Fluffy Protein Base
01 -
1 1/2 cups dry white quinoa
02 -
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
03 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 -
1/4 tsp salt
→ Seasoned Shrimp
05 -
1 1/2 lbs large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
06 -
2 tbsp olive oil
07 -
1 tsp smoked paprika
08 -
1 tsp cumin
09 -
1/2 tsp onion powder
10 -
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
11 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Vibrant Veggie Mix
12 -
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 -
1 medium cucumber, diced
14 -
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
15 -
1 medium avocado, sliced
16 -
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
→ Zesty Lime Drizzle
17 -
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
18 -
2 tbsp olive oil
19 -
1 tbsp honey
20 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
21 -
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
# Instructions:
01 -
Rinse 1 1/2 cups dry white quinoa under cold water to remove bitterness. Add it to a medium saucepan with 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until fluffy.
02 -
Pat 1 1/2 lbs large raw shrimp dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Coat evenly and set aside to marinate for 5 minutes.
03 -
While the quinoa simmers, build the zesty sauce for your Shrimp Quinoa Bowl: High Protein & Meal Prep Ready. Whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro in a small bowl until fully combined. Set aside.
04 -
Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, thaw 1 cup frozen corn, finely dice 1/4 cup red onion, and slice 1 medium avocado. Combine all vegetables except the avocado in a bowl. Keep avocado separate to prevent browning, especially if meal prepping.
05 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink, opaque, and slightly charred at the edges. Avoid overcrowding the pan — work in batches if needed. Remove from heat immediately once cooked through.
06 -
Once the quinoa has absorbed all the broth, remove it from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before assembling. This Shrimp Quinoa Bowl: High Protein & Meal Prep Ready gets its satisfying texture from properly rested, fluffy quinoa as the base.
07 -
Divide the fluffy quinoa evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with a generous portion of the vibrant veggie mix, cooked shrimp, and fresh avocado slices. Drizzle the zesty lime dressing generously over each bowl. This Shrimp Quinoa Bowl: High Protein & Meal Prep Ready is now ready to serve immediately.
08 -
For the best Shrimp Quinoa Bowl: High Protein & Meal Prep Ready results, store components separately in airtight containers. Keep quinoa, shrimp, and veggies in individual containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add avocado and lime drizzle fresh at serving time to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
# Notes:
01 -
🍤 Shrimp Tip: Don't overcook your shrimp — they only need about 2 minutes per side. As soon as they curl into a 'C' shape and turn pink, pull them off the heat. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough.
02 -
🥑 Avocado Hack: If meal prepping, toss avocado slices in a little extra lime juice before storing to slow browning. Alternatively, store the whole avocado and slice fresh each day for the best color and texture.
03 -
🔄 Substitution Ideas: Swap white quinoa for tri-color quinoa for extra visual appeal, or use vegetable broth to make this dish fully pescatarian. For a lower-heat version, reduce or omit the 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper entirely.
04 -
❄️ Storage & Reheating: Reheat quinoa and shrimp separately in the microwave in 30-second intervals to avoid rubbery shrimp. The zesty lime drizzle can be stored in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days — shake well before using.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
medium saucepan with lid
02 -
large skillet
03 -
mixing bowls
04 -
cutting board
05 -
chef's knife
06 -
measuring cups and spoons
07 -
citrus juicer
08 -
meal prep containers
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 520 kcal
Total Fat: 20 g
Total Carbohydrate: 48 g
Protein: 38 g