Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Couscous and Balsamic Mozzarella Salad

Looking for a light yet satisfying dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor? This garlic butter shrimp dish is your answer. Juicy shrimp are marinated in garlic, citrus, and a blend of spices, then quickly sautéed until tender. Served over fluffy lemon-scallion couscous and paired with a creamy balsamic salad featuring fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and crunchy almonds, every bite is a balance of savory, tangy, and fresh.

This recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal that feels special. The creamy balsamic dressing ties the salad together beautifully, while the couscous soaks up all the buttery goodness from the shrimp. It’s a complete meal that will leave you feeling satisfied without being weighed down.

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Ingredients

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Grape TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Fresh MozzarellaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce ShrimpView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Italian SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 ounce Israeli CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Veggie Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Mixed GreensView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce Sliced AlmondsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Peel and mince or grate the garlic. Quarter the lemon. Trim and thinly slice the scallions, separating white parts from green tops. Halve the grape tomatoes. Dice the fresh mozzarella into ½-inch cubes.
2. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, garlic, juice from half the lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, half the fry seasoning, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat and set aside to marinate, tossing occasionally.
3. Heat a drizzle of cooking oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add the scallion whites and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the Israeli couscous, veggie stock concentrates, 1½ cups water, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until tender, 6-8 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together half the balsamic vinegar, half the mayonnaise, and ½ teaspoon sugar until smooth. Slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil, continuing to whisk until combined and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp along with the marinade. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter until melted.
6. In a medium bowl, toss together the mixed greens, halved tomatoes, and diced mozzarella with as much of the dressing as you like. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
7. Fluff the couscous with a fork. Stir in half the scallion greens, 1 tablespoon butter, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the couscous and salad between plates. Top the couscous with the shrimp, remaining scallion greens, and another squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish the salad with sliced almonds and serve.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Large bowl

Winco , 8-Quart, Stainless Steel (MXB-800Q)View on AmazonFox Run Brands 2.75-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, 9 x 9 x 4 inches, MetallicView on AmazonMfacoy 2 Pack Salad Bowl, 8 inch 60 oz Large Serving Bowl Set, Deep Bowl for Kitchen, White Ceramic Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal, Ramen, Pasta, Salad, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Easy CleanView on Amazon

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Whisk

NileHome Stainless Steel Whisk Set 8" 10" 12" Kitchen Whisk Balloon Whisk Kitchen Wisk Wire Whisks for Cooking, Whisking, Blending, Beating, Stirring-3 Pack…View on AmazonOXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon WhiskView on AmazonNileHome Silicone Whisk Set 8" 10" Kitchen Whisk Kitchen Wisk Wire Whisks for Cooking, Whisking, Blending, Beating, Stirring-BlackView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of couscous?

Yes, you can substitute regular couscous or pearl couscous, but adjust cooking time according to package directions.

What can I use instead of fry seasoning?

You can use a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

How do I store leftovers?

Store shrimp and couscous separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad is best enjoyed fresh.