This Grilled Shrimp Bowl is the perfect answer to a healthy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal. In just over 30 minutes, you can have a vibrant bowl packed with perfectly charred, juicy shrimp, fluffy rice, and a medley of fresh toppings, all drizzled with a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Shrimp Bowl Recipe
This isn’t just another boring salad. The star of the show is the spicy, smoky grilled shrimp, which gets its flavor from a simple yet powerful marinade. When combined with fresh ingredients like creamy avocado, sweet corn, and hearty black beans, it creates a harmony of textures and tastes in every single bite. It is completely customizable, making it a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these simple ingredients. The combination is classic, but feel free to get creative based on what you have on hand.
For the Grilled Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp: peeled and deveined, tails on or off.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: The base for our marinade.
- 1 tbsp lime juice: Freshly squeezed is always best.
- 2 cloves garlic: Finely minced.
- 1 tsp chili powder: For a touch of warmth.
- 1/2 tsp cumin: Adds a smoky, earthy flavor.
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika: Enhances the smoky, grilled taste.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Or to taste.
- 1/4 tsp black pepper: Freshly ground.
For the Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt: Makes the dressing creamy and adds protein.
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro: Loosely packed.
- 2 tbsp lime juice: For that signature zesty kick.
- 1 tbsp olive oil: To smooth it out.
- 1 clove garlic: For a little bite.
- A pinch of salt and pepper.
For the Bowl Assembly
- 2 cups cooked rice: White, brown, or even quinoa works great.
- 1 cup canned black beans: Rinsed and drained.
- 1 cup canned corn: Drained.
- 1 large avocado: Sliced or diced.
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes: Halved.
- Lime wedges and fresh cilantro for serving.
How to Make the Perfect Grilled Shrimp Bowl
Making this shrimp rice bowl is a straightforward process. We’ll marinate the shrimp, whip up the dressing, grill, and then assemble. It’s that easy!
Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp
In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the shrimp is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes, as the lime juice can start to ‘cook’ the shrimp.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
While the shrimp marinates, make the dressing. Add the Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can add a tablespoon of water to thin it out. For another great dressing idea, check out this Shrimp and Avocado Bowl recipe.
Step 3: Grill the Shrimp
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you’re using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, or just until the shrimp are pink and opaque. The key is not to overcook them, so watch them closely!
Step 4: Assemble Your Bowl
Now for the fun part! Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top with the grilled shrimp, black beans, corn, avocado, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle generously with the cilantro lime dressing. Garnish with extra cilantro and a lime wedge on the side. For those who love a good bowl meal, our Grilled Steak Bowl is another must-try.
Pro-Tips for Nailing Your Grilled Shrimp
Grilling shrimp can be intimidating, but it’s simple once you know the tricks. First, always start with a clean, well-oiled grill grate to prevent sticking. Second, high heat is your friend; it ensures a beautiful char on the outside before the inside overcooks. Finally, remember that shrimp cook incredibly fast. Two to three minutes per side is usually all it takes for large shrimp.
Building Your Ultimate Bowl: Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this Grilled Shrimp Bowl is its versatility. You can easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or use up what’s in your fridge.
Grains
While rice is a classic base, you can substitute it with quinoa for a protein boost, couscous for a lighter texture, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Try pairing it with our Crispy Roasted Cauliflower for an amazing texture combo.
Veggies
Feel free to add any fresh or roasted vegetables you like. Bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, or leafy greens like spinach and romaine lettuce are all fantastic additions. For a heartier meal, add some Healthy Sautéed Vegetables (coming soon).
Toppings & Sauces
Get creative with your toppings! Crumbled cotija cheese, pickled red onions, a dollop of guacamole, or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds can add another layer of flavor and crunch. You could even swap the dressing for a different sauce entirely.
Meal Prep and Storage
This grilled shrimp bowl recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can cook the rice and shrimp ahead of time and chop all your vegetables. Store everything in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble your bowl. It’s great served warm or cold.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Shrimp Bowls
Yes, this recipe is excellent for meal prep. You can cook the shrimp and rice, prepare the dressing, and chop the veggies ahead of time. Store all components in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble the bowl just before serving for the best results.
Grilled shrimp cooks very quickly, usually in 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat. You’ll know it’s done when it turns from translucent grey to opaque pink and white. It should curl into a loose ‘C’ shape. An overcooked shrimp will be tough and curl into a tight ‘O’.
Absolutely. This bowl is well-balanced with lean protein from the shrimp, complex carbohydrates from rice (especially if using brown rice), healthy fats from avocado, and plenty of fiber and vitamins from the vegetables and beans.
A classic shrimp bowl typically includes a grain base like rice or quinoa, the shrimp itself, and a variety of fresh toppings. Popular additions are black beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. You can customize it with any veggies you like!
A creamy, zesty sauce pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp. Our cilantro lime dressing made with Greek yogurt is a fantastic option. Other great choices include a simple avocado crema, a spicy chipotle aioli, or even a sweet chili sauce.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other dinner favorites. This Creamy Cajun Chicken (coming soon) is always a hit, and our readers rave about it. We hope you love this Grilled Shrimp Bowl as much as we do! Let us know what you think in the comments and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Grilled Shrimp Bowl Recipe
Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15-30 minutes.
- While the shrimp marinates, add Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook.
- Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top with grilled shrimp, black beans, corn, avocado, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with the cilantro lime dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: To save time, use pre-cooked rice and canned beans and corn.
Tip 3: If you don't have a grill, you can cook the shrimp in a grill pan or a cast-iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.
