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Quick Zesty Mediterranean Shrimp & Feta

quick zesty mediterranean shrimp feta recipe - featured image

A quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired shrimp dish featuring zesty lemon, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy feta cheese, perfect for a satisfying 30-minute dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably packed in oil)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or thyme, chopped (optional)
  • Warm pita bread or cooked couscous, for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Halve the cherry tomatoes, chop sun-dried tomatoes, mince garlic, and chop herbs. Zest and juice the lemon, keeping them separate.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and warm until it shimmers but does not smoke.
  3. Add garlic to the skillet and stir quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, avoiding overcrowding.
  5. Add cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir gently and let warm through for about 3 minutes.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Add lemon zest and juice, then sprinkle crumbled feta over the top. Gently fold everything together to soften the feta without melting it completely.
  7. Scatter chopped parsley and oregano on top. Serve immediately with warm pita bread or couscous.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a good sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan to cook shrimp evenly. Add feta off the heat to keep its creamy texture. If pan dries out, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Leftovers keep well for up to 2 days and reheat gently to avoid overcooking shrimp.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp, Mediterranean, feta, quick dinner, easy recipe, lemon garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, weeknight meal