Mediterranean Shrimp (30 Minutes, One-Pan)

This Mediterranean shrimp recipe, made in just one skillet, comes together in less than 30 minutes! Packed with classic Greek-inspired spices and ingredients, this dish features pan-seared shrimp seasoned with paprika and Italian seasoning, alongside briny olives, juicy tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, spinach, and a white wine sauce. It’s a gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, and protein-rich weeknight meal.

30-Minute One-Pan Mediterranean Shrimp

This recipe features both Mediterranean and Greek-inspired flavors and is a breeze to prepare! Plus, it’s healthy, low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, and rich in lean protein, making it suitable for various diets, including pescatarian. The shrimp is first seasoned with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and pan-seared in olive oil. Then, you’ll make a white wine sauce with sautéed tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, spinach, and garlic. Combine everything, and dinner is served! Everything is done in 30 minutes using only one pan! It’s a weeknight dinner done right, loaded with Greek-inspired, bright, and fresh flavors. My other shrimp favorites are blackened shrimp and Italian-inspired shrimp scampi with capers. Serve it as is, or pair it with rice or pasta, such as orzo, ravioli, or tortellini. This versatile recipe allows you to swap in spinach or arugula, use regular or sun-dried tomatoes, and add other veggies like bell peppers or asparagus. You can even switch up the seafood and use scallops instead.

Why you’ll love it

Packed with healthy omega-3s, fiber, and other nutritious ingredients, this Greek-inspired shrimp is high in protein and perfect for a gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, and pescatarian diet. Shrimp is nutrient-rich, low in calories, and provides a high amount of protein, healthy fats, and various vitamins and minerals. With minimal cleanup required, this recipe is perfect for any busy evening.

Main ingredients

Shrimp. I used 1.5 pounds of raw shrimp. For best results, choose larger shrimp, typically 15-20 count or 20-26 count per pound. Ensure the shrimp is peeled and deveined if using raw.
Olive oil is for pan-searing the shrimp.
Seasonings include paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Cherry tomatoes. Slice them in half.
Mushrooms. I used crimini mushrooms. Regular white button mushrooms or portobellos are also great options.
Minced garlic is cooked together with tomatoes and mushrooms.
Olives. I used a combo of kalamata and Castelvetrano green olives.
White wine is for deglazing the pan and creating the sauce. You can use chicken stock instead.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds so much flavor!

How to make Mediterranean shrimp

Here are step-by-step photos and an overview of the instructions. Scroll down to the recipe card for the complete recipe (including the amounts of ingredients!).

1) First, pan-sear the shrimp (seasoned with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper) with olive oil on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes in total, until they turn pink in color. Remove it from the skillet.

2) Next, cook mushrooms, garlic, and cherry tomatoes (two-thirds of them) together in white wine for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and begin to break down.

3) Then, add spinach and wilt it in the skillet.

4) Finally, stir in the sliced olives and the remaining one-third of the sliced tomatoes. Add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

5) To assemble, add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet and reheat everything together on low-medium heat.

Tips for pan-searing shrimp

Prepare the Shrimp: Use raw shrimp that is peeled and deveined, and remove the tails. If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully thawed and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps achieve a better sear. Medium to large shrimp are ideal for this recipe.
Avoid overcrowding: Ensure you space out the shrimp in the skillet during searing. This allows the shrimp to sear properly rather than steam. Depending on the size of your skillet, you might need to cook the shrimp in batches.
Do not overcook: Watch the cooking times closely to avoid overcooking the shrimp.

Can you use pre-cooked shrimp?

Yes, you can, although raw shrimp will yield the best results. If using pre-cooked shrimp, simply sear it with the seasoning mix for about 1 minute per side to warm it through.

Variations and Substitutions

Use scallops instead of or in addition to shrimp
Add capers: They complement seafood beautifully and add a nice, briny flavor, similar to olives.
Add the cream: For a rich and luscious texture, add a splash of cream to the white wine sauce. Use heavy cream or half-and-half.
Use more veggies: Elevate this dish with your favorite vegetables such as sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, or asparagus.
Add cheese: Sprinkle crumbled Feta cheese, Mozzarella “pearls”, freshly grated Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese on top of the shrimp for an extra layer of flavor.

What to serve with Mediterranean shrimp

Rice is a classic Mediterranean side dish. Try using flavored rice, wild rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice. Be sure to check out the reader-favorite cilantro-lime and black bean rice and Mediterranean lemon rice.
Quinoa. Cook quinoa in chicken broth to add richness. Then, toss with minced garlic and fresh herbs.
Potatoes. Make simple Greek potatoes with a zesty kick of garlic, lemon, and oregano! Mediterranean shrimp would also go great with regular roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Bread. Pair the shrimp with a slice of fresh store-bought Italian bread, garlic bread, or a loaf of olive bread.
Pasta. Serve the shrimp with a simple pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic, and topped with fresh herbs like oregano or basil, or with homemade basil pesto. I recommend orzo or angel hair pasta, but any pasta shape will do just fine. I recommend this meatless Greek orzo with tomatoes and feta.
Store-bought ravioli or tortellini are excellent options. Cook them separately and then toss them in this Mediterranean white wine sauce.
Cauliflower. Cauliflower rice is a lower-carb alternative to some other sides.
Roasted spaghetti squash is another great, healthy, low-carb side.

Storage and reheating tips

Fridge. Store leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Reheat in the microwave oven. Reheat in a microwave oven for about 1 minute. Taste and reheat for 30 seconds more, if needed.
Reheat on the stovetop. Reheat the shrimp in a large, high-sided skillet on the stovetop on low-medium heat. Add a splash of chicken stock or white wine, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice when reheating to achieve a saucier consistency.

Other Mediterranean shrimp recipes to try