Garlic Butter Shrimp With Quinoa For Muscle Growth
Most people struggle to find a quick dinner that packs a punch of protein. If you are tired of eating the same old chicken, you need to try shrimp. They cook in just a few minutes and taste amazing with fresh garlic and butter. I like to serve them over a warm bed of quinoa for extra fuel.
When you eat this meal, you get a clean source of lean muscle building energy. It is perfect after a hard workout at the gym. Many folks at pezni love this recipe because it is light on the stomach but keeps you full for hours. It is much better than grabbing fast food on your way home.
Ingredients Needed
You do not need a fancy kitchen or expensive tools to make this dish. Just grab these simple items from your local store.
- One pound of large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- One cup of dry quinoa
- Two cups of vegetable broth or water
- Three tablespoons of unsalted butter
- Four cloves of garlic minced
- One teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a little heat
- One half cup of fresh chopped parsley
- The juice of one fresh lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Step By Step Making
1. Rinse your quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh strainer. This helps remove the bitter outer layer so it tastes better.
2. Put the quinoa and broth into a medium pot. Bring it to a boil, then cover the pot and lower the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about fifteen minutes until the liquid is gone.
3. While the quinoa cooks, pat your shrimp dry with a paper towel. Season them lightly with salt and pepper.
4. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and the red pepper flakes. Cook this for about one minute until you can smell the delicious garlic aroma.
5. Place the shrimp in the skillet. Cook them for two to three minutes on each side. They should turn pink and opaque when they are done.
6. Squeeze the lemon juice over the shrimp and toss in the fresh parsley. Remove the pan from the heat right away so the garlic does not burn.
7. Scoop a generous portion of cooked quinoa into a bowl. Top it with your garlic butter shrimp and drizzle the remaining sauce from the pan over the top.
Nutritional Value
This meal provides a fantastic balance of macros for anyone looking to stay lean and strong. Here is the approximate breakdown for one serving.
- Protein: 35 grams
- Calories: 420 calories
- Carbs: 45 grams
Health Benefits
Shrimp is one of the best sources of protein you can find. It contains almost no fat, which makes it perfect if you are trying to cut down on extra calories while still keeping your muscle mass. It is also packed with selenium, which helps keep your immune system running strong.
Quinoa is a special grain because it is a complete protein. This means it has all the amino acids your body needs to fix muscle tissue after a workout. Combining these two ingredients makes for a meal that supports your growth and recovery.
If you want more plant based options to mix into your weekly diet, you can check out these Spicy Black Bean Burgers: A Delicious Plant-Based Protein Powerhouse for another great idea. Adding variety to your plate is the best way to make sure you stick to your goals without getting bored.
Eating healthy does not have to be complicated. By using fresh ingredients like lemon and garlic, you create a meal that tastes like it came from a nice restaurant. Take your time to cook this for yourself and your family this week.
Disclaimer: This recipe information is provided by pezni for general informational purposes only.