One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes: Your 25-Minute Healthy Dinner

A beautiful skillet of One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes, showcasing the bright, fresh ingredients of this easy weeknight meal.

This incredible One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes recipe is the answer to your busiest weeknights. Last Tuesday was one of those days—back-to-back meetings and the looming question of ‘what’s for dinner?’. In less than 25 minutes, this stunning dish was on the table, proving that amazing one-pot meals don’t have to be complicated. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a lifeline for anyone who craves a flavorful, light meal without the mountain of dishes. The zesty, buttery sauce is so addictive, it reminds me of the simple, powerful flavors in our classic Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi. This is proof that you can have a fast, healthy, and absolutely delicious meal any night of the week.

Before we dive in, here are the key details for this “One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes” recipe:

❤️ Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Recipe

• Incredibly Delicious: The flavor of this dish is spectacular. The sweetness from the cherry tomatoes bursts in the pan, creating a natural sauce that mingles with the rich, savory garlic butter. The fresh lemon juice cuts through everything, making this One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes taste incredibly fresh. It’s a restaurant-quality flavor you can easily achieve at home.
• Easy to Make: As one of our favorite one-pot meals, this recipe is the definition of weeknight-friendly. Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means cleanup is a breeze. If you can sauté garlic, you can make this dish. The instructions for our lemon-garlic shrimp & tomatoes are straightforward and stress-free.
• Perfect for Healthy Eating: This recipe fits beautifully into a healthy lifestyle. It’s packed with lean protein from the shrimp and vitamins from the tomatoes. Served with zucchini noodles, it becomes the ideal low-carb shrimp dinner, leaving you feeling energized and satisfied, not heavy.
• Customizable & Forgiving: This One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes is a fantastic template. Want to add some greens? Toss in a handful of fresh spinach at the end until it wilts. Want more spice? Add extra red pepper flakes. It’s a forgiving recipe that invites you to use what you have on hand.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need for This Shrimp and Tomatoes Recipe

Here’s everything you need to gather to make this amazing dish. For the best flavor, I highly recommend using fresh garlic that you mince yourself. You can learn more about the best techniques with this great guide on how to mince garlic. Preparing these simple ingredients is the first step toward a perfect One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes.

• ✓ 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• ✓ 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
• ✓ 5 cloves garlic (finely minced)
• ✓ 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ✓ 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• ✓ 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
• ✓ 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
• ✓ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
• ✓ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ✓ 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• ✓ Optional for serving: Zucchini noodles, pasta, or crusty bread.

Ingredient Note: Using a good quality broth is key to building a flavorful pan sauce for your lemon garlic shrimp. Also, ensure your shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry with a paper towel before cooking for the best possible sear.

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes

Let’s walk through how to make this delicious one-pot meal. It comes together so quickly, so it’s a good idea to have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking your One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes.

1. Prep the Ingredients: Pat the shrimp completely dry and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mince the garlic and chop the parsley.
2. Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes, until they start to soften and burst.
3. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly.
4. Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them.
5. Finish the Dish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and fresh parsley. Give everything one last toss to combine.
6. Serve: Your One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes is ready to serve immediately over zucchini noodles, pasta, or with crusty bread.

Tossing the shrimp with the burst tomato sauce in the final step of this easy one-pot recipe.

💡 Expert Tips for a Flawless Lemon Garlic Shrimp Dish

Want to guarantee perfect results? After making this dish countless times, I’ve learned a few key tricks that make all the difference for this specific One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes recipe.

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: When cooking the shrimp, make sure they are in a single layer. If you overcrowd the pan, they will steam instead of sear. Cook in two batches if necessary for the best texture in your lemon garlic shrimp.
• Dry Your Shrimp Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Before seasoning, pat your shrimp completely dry. This step ensures they get a beautiful golden-pink color.
• Use Fresh, Quality Ingredients: With a recipe this simple, the quality of your ingredients shines. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh garlic provide an aromatic punch that you just can’t replicate.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes is incredibly versatile. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:

• With Zucchini Noodles: For a light, low-carb shrimp dinner, toss the finished shrimp and sauce with spiralized zucchini noodles right in the pan.
• Over Pasta: Serve over a bed of angel hair or linguine for a more traditional and hearty pasta dinner.
• With Crusty Bread: This is a must! Have a side of warm, crusty bread for sopping up every last drop of that incredible pan sauce. If you like great one-pot meals, our One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Veggies is another winner.

The final plated dish, ready to eat, garnished with extra fresh parsley for a pop of color.

🥡 Storage and Freezing Instructions

To Store: Store any leftover One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this dish. The texture of the burst tomatoes does not hold up well to freezing and thawing. This recipe is definitely best enjoyed fresh.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen shrimp for this one-pot recipe?

Absolutely! High-quality frozen shrimp is often fresher than the “fresh” shrimp at the seafood counter. The key is to thaw it properly. The best way is to place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker method, put the shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for 5-10 minutes. Just be sure to pat them completely dry before cooking. This ensures a great result for your One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes.

Can I use a different kind of tomato?

Yes, while cherry or grape tomatoes are ideal because they burst and create a natural sauce, you can also use diced Roma or other plum tomatoes. If you use larger tomatoes, chop them into small, bite-sized pieces. The cooking time might be slightly longer to ensure they break down and release their juices into the sauce. This flexibility is what makes this One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes so great for using what you have.

What makes this a “one-pot” meal?

A “one-pot” meal means that every part of the cooking process happens in a single piece of cookware—in this case, a large skillet or Dutch oven. This not only makes cleanup incredibly easy but also helps to build a more flavorful dish, as all the delicious bits from cooking stay in the pan and become part of the final sauce. It’s the ultimate technique for easy weeknight dinners, like our popular Sheet Pan Lemon Roasted Salmon and Asparagus.

Final Thoughts on This One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Making this One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes always feels like a little victory in my kitchen. It’s a reminder that a beautiful, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal doesn’t have to be complicated. I truly hope this recipe brings as much joy (and as little cleanup!) to your table as it does to mine. If you give it a try, please leave a comment and a rating below—I absolutely love hearing how your creations turn out!