If you’re a tired mom staring into your freezer at 5:30 p.m., this recipe is for you. Garlic butter shrimp with cauliflower rice is my go-to when I need a high-protein, low-effort dinner in under 20 minutes. No thawing, no extra pans—just one skillet and a handful of Trader Joe’s favorites. And the best part? It tastes like comfort food but fuels you like real food.
How to make Garlic Butter Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients you will need
Shrimp: Frozen Argentinian red shrimp from Trader Joe’s is my favorite here. It’s sweet, meaty, and cooks up beautifully straight from frozen. You can also use their peeled and deveined raw shrimp for a slightly lighter texture.
Garlic Spread Dip: This magical little tub from Trader Joe’s is loaded with garlic and oil and makes the perfect shortcut to instant flavor. If you don’t have it, a tablespoon of butter and some minced garlic work great too.
Cauliflower Rice: Trader Joe’s frozen cauliflower rice is super convenient and cooks in just a few minutes. It soaks up the garlicky shrimp juices like a dream and keeps the meal light but satisfying.
Spinach (Optional): A handful of baby spinach wilted into the pan adds color, nutrients, and that “I tried today” feeling. Totally optional but always a nice touch.
Lemon Juice + Seasoning: A quick squeeze of lemon brightens up the whole dish and brings balance to the richness. Salt and pepper to taste, always.
If you don’t have the spread, just sub in a little butter, garlic, and lemon.
Exact measurements and blending instructions are listed in the recipe card below.
Step by step Instructions
1-Cook the shrimp: In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp garlic spread (or butter with minced garlic). Add frozen shrimp straight from the bag. Sauté over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes until fully pink and opaque.
2-Add spinach (optional): Toss in a handful of baby spinach during the last minute and let it wilt.
Heat the cauliflower rice: In a separate pan or the microwave, cook cauliflower rice as directed on the bag. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
3-Assemble: Spoon the rice into a bowl, top with garlic butter shrimp, and drizzle with any extra pan sauce.
Equipment
- skillet for cooking shrimp
- microwave or pan for cooking cauliflower rice
- spoon or spatula
- bowl for serving
Ingredients
- 1 pack frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined, raw)
- 1 tbsp garlic spread or butter with minced garlic
- 1 pack frozen cauliflower rice
- 1 handful baby spinach (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (if not using garlic spread)
- 1 salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon wedge, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp garlic spread (or butter with minced garlic). Add frozen shrimp straight from the bag. Sauté over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes until fully pink and opaque.
- Add spinach (optional): toss in a handful of baby spinach during the last minute and let it wilt.
- Heat the cauliflower rice: In a separate pan or the microwave, cook cauliflower rice as directed on the bag. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
- Spoon the rice into a bowl, top with garlic butter shrimp, and drizzle with any extra pan sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
FAQ – Garlic Butter Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice
1. What goes well with garlic butter shrimp?
Garlic butter shrimp pairs beautifully with light sides like cauliflower rice, sautéed greens, or roasted veggies. You can also serve it with pasta, mashed potatoes, or warm crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
2. Is cauliflower rice actually healthy?
Yes! Cauliflower rice is low in carbs, high in fiber, and packed with nutrients like vitamin C and K. It’s a great option if you’re looking to lighten up your meals without sacrificing satisfaction.
3. Is garlic butter shrimp healthy?
It can be! When made with quality shrimp and just enough butter or olive oil, it’s a great source of lean protein, healthy fats, and important minerals like zinc and selenium especially helpful for postpartum recovery.
4. How to make garlic buttered shrimp?
It’s simple: sauté shrimp in butter with fresh garlic over medium-high heat until pink and cooked through. You can add a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of herbs to brighten the flavor. That’s it!
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Garlic Butter Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice: A Freezer Favorite for Busy Moms
This shrimp bowl has saved me on so many chaotic evenings. It’s fast, full of flavor, and actually makes me feel like I’ve done something good for my body. So if you’ve got 15 minutes and a freezer stocked with Trader Joe’s basics—you’re already halfway there.
