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High Protein Spicy Shrimp Rice Bowls - A Fast, Flavor-Packed Meal

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Shrimp: 1 to 1.25 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large).
  • Rice: 3 cups cooked rice (jasmine, basmati, or brown rice).
  • Vegetables: 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced), 1 small cucumber (diced), 1 cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix, 2 green onions (sliced).
  • Herbs: Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped.
  • Oil: 1–2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil.
  • Lime: 1–2 limes, cut into wedges.
  • Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts: Optional for crunch.
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili-garlic sauce (more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional but great)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
  • Edamame or steamed broccoli for extra protein and fiber
  • Avocado slices for creaminess
  • Pickled onions or jalapeños for brightness and heat

Method
 

  1. Cook the rice. Start your rice according to package directions. Fluff and keep warm. Leftover or microwave rice works perfectly here.
  2. Make the spicy sauce. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust heat and sweetness.
  3. Pat the shrimp dry. Dry shrimp sear better. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Prep the veggies. Slice bell pepper, dice cucumber, shred cabbage, and slice green onions. Set aside.
  5. Cook the shrimp. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just opaque.
  6. Glaze with sauce. Pour about two-thirds of the sauce into the pan and toss shrimp to coat. Let it bubble for 30–60 seconds to thicken slightly. Remove from heat so the shrimp don’t overcook.
  7. Build the bowls. Add a scoop of rice to each bowl. Top with shrimp, peppers, cucumber, and cabbage. Spoon any extra pan sauce over the rice.
  8. Finish and serve. Add green onions and cilantro. Drizzle remaining sauce if you like, sprinkle sesame seeds or peanuts, and serve with lime wedges. Squeeze lime over the bowl right before eating.