Mediterranean Shrimp

Freezer Friendly Mediterranean Shrimp. Even the most reluctant seafood eaters will enjoy this succulent lemony shrimp that can be cooked in just minutes under the broiler, on the grill, or on the stovetop.

 

I love the versatility of this Mediterranean Shrimp recipe. It takes minutes to make, is freezer-friendly, and is also kid-friendly. The shrimp take a dip in a simple yet fresh-tasting marinade that will have you will daydreaming about a sunny relaxing atmosphere. With fresh lemon juice and a few pantry seasonings, you can marinate and cook this shrimp in under 45 minutes.

How to Make Mediterranean Shrimp

Shrimp cooks very quickly so it’s important not to overcook it or it can get tough. Here are some ways to prepare it after it has marinated for about 30 minutes:

Broil in the Oven

Preheat the broiler. Place the shrimp on a rimmed baking sheet that’s been covered with foil or parchment paper (for easy cleanup). Broil shrimp for 2-3 minutes on the first side. Flip and broil another 2 minutes or until pink throughout.

Cook on the Grill

Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Thread the shrimp on skewers* (reserve the marinade for next step) and grill on both sides for 2-3 minutes, or until pink throughout.

Saute on the Stove

If you don’t have skewers on hand, you can also sauté the shrimp in a skillet.

Add a little olive oil to a skillet. Once the pan is preheated to medium-high heat, add the shrimp to your skillet. They will cook in a matter of 2 to 4 minutes total. Watch closely. When you see that one side is starting to turn pink, you are so close. Use a pair of tongs or your wooden spoon to flip it so it cooks through on the other side.

How Should I Serve the Shrimp?

Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve a la carte or over quinoa (gluten-free option)
• Serve over couscous
• Serve over angel hair pasta with lemon wedges on the side

At the end, you can also boil the marinade and use it as a flavor-boosting sauce. (Tip: Double the marinade so you have double the sauce to pour over couscous or pasta, too!)

Side Dish Ideas for Mediterranean Shrimp

To make this recipe a complete meal, here are some side dish ideas.

• Roasted Asparagus or Grilled Asparagus
• Strawberry Fields Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
• Very Berry Crumble for dessert

Ways to Mix the Recipe Up

There are lots of ways you can mix up this recipe.

• Use Chicken: Yep! This marinade will work great with chicken as well.
• Make Wraps: Add some shrimp, arugula, feta cheese crumbles, chopped roasted red peppers, and a drizzle of the sauce to a wrap/tortilla. 
• Make a Salad: Top a salad with the shrimp. Serve with a light, citrusy dressing like our Lemon Vinaigrette or Creamy Citrus Dressing. Topping ideas: feta/goat cheese, red onion, toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds, and dried cranberries.

Can I Freeze Shrimp?

Yep! Shrimp can make a great freezer meal but we have found that if you freeze it mixed in with the marinade, the acidity from the lemon juice can sometimes kind of “cook” the shrimp and leave it mushy after defrosting. For this reason, we recommend freezing the shrimp and marinade in separate bags.

How to Freeze Mediterranean Shrimp:
Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a zip-top bag. Then rinse, pat dry, and skewer the shrimp, if desired. Place skewers or shrimp in a separate freezer bag. Seal the bags well and freeze.

How to Prepare From Frozen:
When ready to cook, submerge sealed freezer bags in cold water until the shrimp is mostly thawed (about 30 minutes). Then cook and serve according to directions, starting with marinating the shrimp in the refrigerator.