Garlic butter shrimp with zucchini and couscous
Shrimp Meal Prep
Shrimp Meal Prep
18 minEasy
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
8 min
Total Time
18 min
Servings
4
4 meals
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Shrimp Meal Prep
Garlic butter shrimp with zucchini and couscous
Plump garlic butter shrimp with sautéed zucchini noodles and fluffy pearl couscous. A light, high-protein meal prep that comes together in under 20 minutes.
10m
Prep Time
8m
Cook Time
18m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Shrimp is the fastest-cooking protein, making it ideal for meal prep when you are short on time. Garlic butter sauce infuses every shrimp with rich, savory flavor in minutes.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced, and 3 tbsp butter
- 2 medium zucchini, spiralized or sliced into half-moons
- 2 cups cooked pearl couscous
- 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
- Red pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Cook pearl couscous according to package directions; drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
- 2
Melt butter in a large skillet; sauté garlic 30 seconds, then add shrimp in a single layer.
- 3
Cook shrimp 2 minutes per side until pink; add wine, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.
- 4
Remove shrimp, add zucchini to the same pan and sauté 2 minutes until just tender.
- 5
Divide couscous, zucchini, and garlic butter shrimp among 4 containers; spoon pan sauce over top.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Substitutions
ShrimpScallops or chicken breast strips
Adjust cooking time accordingly
Pearl couscousOrzo or rice
Both absorb the garlic butter sauce beautifully
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Buy peeled and deveined shrimp to save significant prep time.
Do not overcook the zucchini—it should still have a slight crunch for best meal-prep texture.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Shrimp is best consumed within 3 days of cooking.
Reheating
Microwave at 50% power for 90 seconds to prevent rubbery shrimp.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (220mg) · 4 servings
Calories380
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein12g
Carbohydrates32g
Fat34g
Fiber540mg
Sugar2g
Sodium4g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use frozen shrimp?
- Yes, thaw under cold water for 5 minutes, then pat dry before cooking.
- What if I do not like zucchini?
- Substitute with sautéed spinach, snap peas, or asparagus.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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