The Easiest Mediterranean Shrimp Bowls

Mediterranean Shrimp Bowls are my go-to when I’m craving something flavorful but don’t have a ton of time! The shrimp soak up a delicious marinade and are placed atop a crunchy Mediterranean salad and drizzled with a creamy tzatziki sauce.

It’s a restaurant-quality meal that's actually super easy to make! All you’ll need are some raw shrimp, fresh veggies, and a few pantry staples, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time. Plus, they only take 30 minutes TOPS, so you can enjoy a healthy meal in a pinch!

Before You Get Started

Here’s a quick debrief on the top things you need to know before making this recipe:

• Shrimp: Make sure to devein the shrimp and remove the shells before cooking!
• Prep ingredients beforehand: Chop up the veggies and prep the marinade before starting the cooking process to make things easier!
• Overcooking: Don't overcook the shrimp! Shrimp is super easy to overcook, making it rubbery and tough. A quick sear on each side will do the trick!

Recipe Ingredients

With a few basic ingredients, you can whip up these Greek-inspired shrimp bowls in a flash!

• Raw shrimp: For this recipe, medium or large shrimp are perfect. If you’re using frozen shrimp, just make sure to thaw it completely first. And whether you keep the tails on or off is totally up to you!
• Shrimp marinade: I make a simple shrimp marinade with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, minced garlic cloves, dried oregano, dried basil, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• Veggies: You'll need chopped Persian cucumbers, chopped cherry tomatoes, chopped red bell pepper (or roasted red peppers), and diced red onion.
• Fresh herbs: Use any type of fresh herbs you like. I use chopped fresh parsley and mint, but basil or dill would also be delicious.
• Feta cheese: It wouldn't be Mediterranean without feta! You can use fat-free or regular.
• Tzatziki sauce: I like to make my homemade tzatziki, but you can use store-bought if you like!
• Butter lettuce: This is the base for the salad. Feel free to use any type of greens you like!
• Steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice: Feel free to use whatever carb base you prefer. If you want to keep things low-carb, I suggest using cauliflower rice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

These bowls are seriously so easy to make! Here’s are some simple step-by-step instructions:

1. Marinate the Shrimp

Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices in a bowl. Add the shrimp, tossing to coat, and let it sit for a bit to soak up all those flavors.

Pro tip: Don't let the shrimp marinate for more than 20 minutes, as it can become mushy.

2. Prep the Mediterranean Salad

While the shrimp marinates, chop up the cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion. Toss them together with fresh herbs, a little lemon juice, and some feta.

3. Cook the Shrimp

Heat a pan over medium-high heat, then cook the shrimp for a few minutes on each side until they’re golden and cooked through.

4. Assemble the Bowls

Start with a base of rice or lettuce, then layer on the salad, shrimp, and a spoonful of tzatziki. Drizzle with olive oil if you like, and enjoy!

How to Grill or Bake the Shrimp

If you don't feel like cooking the shrimp on the stove, you can grill or bake it! Here's how:

Grill

Grill the shrimp for 1-2 minutes each side. To prevent overcooking, you can use skewers to easily flip the shrimp in one go!

Oven

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and lay the shrimp on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

Top It Off

Here are some fun topping ideas to jazz up these Greek shrimp bowls!

• Kalamata olives
• Chickpeas
• Toasted pine nuts or pistachios
• Capers
• Pita chips
• Hummus or avocado hummus

Change It Up

Get creative with these fun swaps!

• Swap the protein: Swap the shrimp for grilled chicken, salmon, lamb, or even falafel for a different twist.
• Tzatziki swap: If you’re not into tzatziki, swap it out for hummus, baba ganoush, creamy avocado dressing, Greek salad dressing, or green goddess dressing.
• Lettuce: Swap butter lettuce for arugula, spinach, or mixed greens, depending on your preference.
• Veggies: Swap out the veggies with whatever you like, such as zucchini, cabbage, carrots, or mushrooms! You can also add roasted sweet potatoes if you like.