Garlic Shrimp Veggies and Rice Recipe

My Busy-Night Lifesaver

Hello, dear. It’s Anna. Let’s talk about easy dinners. We all need them. This one is my go-to. It feels fancy but is so simple.

I learned this from my daughter years ago. She was a new mom, tired but clever. She showed me how fast it comes together. I still laugh at that. She taught her old mom a new trick! What’s your favorite quick dinner to make? I’d love to know.

Why This Simple Meal Works

This matters because it’s balanced. You get your protein, your veggies, and your grains. All in one happy bowl. It keeps you full and gives you energy.

It also matters for your spirit. A good meal doesn’t have to be hard. Taking care of yourself is important. This dish helps you do that, even on a crazy day.

Let’s Get Cooking

First, get your big pan warm. Melt that garlic butter. Oh, doesn’t that smell amazing? Toss in your shrimp. They cook so fast, just a minute or two per side.

Now, throw in the frozen veggies. No need to thaw! Add another little scoop of butter. Let it all sizzle together for a few minutes. While that cooks, heat your rice packet. In five minutes, you’re ready to eat. Do you prefer your shrimp with tails on or off? I’m a tails-off person myself.

A Little Shrimp Story

My grandson used to call shrimp “sea bugs.” It made me giggle every time. He was a little scared of them. So I let him help me peel some.

He saw they were just sweet, pink food. Now he loves them. Getting kids involved helps. It turns strange food into a friend. Fun fact: Shrimp are related to crabs and lobsters. They’re all little ocean cousins!

Make It Your Own

That’s the best part of cooking. You can change things. Try a different rice flavor. Use fresh veggies if you have them. Add a squeeze of lemon at the end.

This recipe is just a friendly start. Your kitchen, your rules. What’s one ingredient you always add to make a meal yours? For me, it’s a little extra garlic. Always.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Butter and Garlic	16 ounces	or any flavor you desire
Raw Medium Shrimp	12 ounces	thawed, peeled and deveined (tail on or off, optional)
Mixed Vegetables	12 ounces	frozen
Garlic and Herb butter or spread	2 Tablespoons	you can make your own, or use store bought

My Easy Garlic Shrimp Supper

Hello, dear! Come sit a moment. Let’s talk about supper. This is my go-to meal on busy nights. It feels fancy but is so simple. The garlic butter makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful. Doesn’t that smell amazing? I remember my grandson licking his plate. I still laugh at that. You can have this ready before anyone gets too grumpy. Let’s begin.

Step 1: Get your biggest skillet nice and warm. Melt your garlic and herb butter in it. That sizzle is the sound of flavor starting. Now, add your thawed shrimp in a single layer. We just want them pink and a little curled. This only takes a minute or two per side. (A hard-learned tip: Don’t crowd the shrimp! They’ll steam, not sear.)

Step 2: Time for the veggies! Pour your frozen mix right into the skillet. It will hiss and steam—that’s okay. Give it a good stir to coat everything in that lovely butter. Let it all simmer together for a few minutes. The veggies just need to be hot and tender. What’s your favorite frozen veggie mix? Share below!

Step 3: While that simmers, make your rice. Tear open the packet and follow the simple directions. Usually, it’s just 90 seconds in the microwave. I like to fluff it with a fork. My old fork has seen more rice than I can count. Now, the magic part: spoon that fluffy rice onto plates.

Step 4: Ladle the shrimp and veggie mixture right over the warm rice. Get all that delicious garlic butter sauce, too. That sauce is the best part. And you’re done! See how easy that was? You made a beautiful, healthy meal. I’m so proud of you.

Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner, Quick Meal

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a favorite sweater. You can dress it up different ways! Here are three ideas I love. They make it feel like a brand-new meal. Cooking should be fun, don’t you think?

Lemon Zest & Herb: Add the zest of one lemon at the end. It makes everything taste bright and sunny.

Spicy Kick: Use a spicy Cajun butter. Or add a big pinch of red pepper flakes with the shrimp.

Spring Garden: Use fresh asparagus and peas instead of frozen mix. Perfect for May.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving It Up Just Right

Presentation is a little gift to your family. A simple plate can feel special. I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top. It adds a pop of green. A lemon wedge on the side is pretty, too. Squeeze it right before you eat. For a side, a simple green salad is perfect. It adds a nice, cool crunch.

For a drink, iced herbal tea with mint is lovely. A crisp white wine also pairs nicely for the grown-ups. The key is to keep it easy and enjoyable. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Garlic Shrimp Dinner Fresh

Let’s talk about storing this tasty meal. First, let everything cool down completely. Then, pop it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days. You can also freeze it for a month. I remember my first time freezing shrimp. I was so worried it would get rubbery. It reheated just fine, though!

To reheat, use your microwave or a skillet. Add a tiny splash of water or broth. This keeps the rice from drying out. Batch cooking this recipe is a great idea. Just double everything and make two meals at once. This saves you precious time on busy nights. Storing food well means less waste and more easy dinners. That matters for your wallet and your peace of mind. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Sometimes cooking doesn’t go as planned. That’s okay. Here are three easy fixes. First, if your veggies are soggy, you cooked them too long. Just simmer them for the shortest time listed. I once got distracted and my veggies got very soft. We still ate it, but now I set a timer.

Second, if your shrimp is tough, you overcooked it. Shrimp cooks very fast. It’s done when it turns pink and curls. Stop right then. Third, if the dish tastes bland, add a pinch more salt. Salt makes all the other flavors shine. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. Getting the shrimp just right also makes the whole meal more delicious. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Check your rice packet and butter labels. Many are gluten-free, but always verify.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Yes! Cook it, cool it, and store it in the fridge. Reheat when ready.

Q: What are easy ingredient swaps? A: Use chicken instead of shrimp. Try fresh veggies instead of frozen. Fun fact: You can use any flavor of ready rice you like!

Q: How do I scale the recipe for more people? A: Simply double or triple all the ingredients. Use a bigger pan to cook.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A squeeze of lemon juice at the end is lovely. It adds a bright, fresh taste. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you enjoy making this simple, cozy meal. It always reminds me of quick dinners with my grandkids. I loved seeing their happy faces at the table. Cooking for people you love is a special joy. I would be so delighted to see your version. Please share your cooking adventures with me. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @AnnaWhitmoreKitchen. I can’t wait to see what you create.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.