My Chef's Apron

  • Recipe Index
  • Guides
  • Easy Meals
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Guides
  • Easy Meals
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Guides
    • Easy Meals
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Easy and Healthy Garlic Shrimp with Leeks

    Published: Feb 1, 2018 · Modified: Sep 27, 2022 by Mariska Ramondino · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Low carb and Keto Easy Shrimp and Leek Recipe
    Delicious and Easy healthy Shrimps Recipe for Dinner.
    Healthy and Easy Garlic Shrimp with leeks.

    A healthy garlic shrimp dinner idea is light on effort yet filling and rich in flavors. The leeks add a mildly sweet and onion-like flavor, and a mixture of spices adds subtle heat and a lemony touch.

    Make it the centerpiece of your healthy easy weeknight dinner. You can keep it low-carb with a large salad as a side or turn it into a hearty shrimp pasta dish.

    Or dress 'em up with olive-oil-drizzled toasted bread and serve as a shrimp antipasto for casual appetizer parties.

    Although you don't need bread, they are wonderfully tasty as-is.

    A large plate with spiced and garlicky shrimp and leeks plus fresh parsley garnish.

    Now and then, I love a glass of wine with dinner. Lately, I always have a bottle of Amarone Della Valpolicella in the house, which Trader's Joe sells at a great price.

    So, if you haven't tried this nicely balanced red wine yet, I hope you will —if you are into Italian wine, you'll thank me later.

    And that's where this healthy garlic shrimp dish comes in. It takes about 25 minutes to make with prep—you can't beat that as a quick weeknight shrimp dinner with fresh ingredients, and if you can, please share.

    But it's the kind of fast olive oil flavor-induced dish that you need to appreciate those red wine sips and relax away, even if it's just for a dinner moment.

    Although I primarily serve it with a mixed green salad (to keep it low-carb, if you want it to), it also goes well over pasta—I don't mind boiling water on the side to make everyone in the family happy, mostly my kid.

    So, here is what you'll need.

    Ingredients

    Shrimp, leeks, parsley, garlic, olive oil, salt, cayenne and black pepper, lemon peel, and dried oregano, all ingredients shown to make a garlic shrimp dish.

    Large shrimp

    Ha, the days that certain fish was considered a poor man's food are over. Now that I live more inland (coastal cities have their perks), I appreciate a good seafood sale.

    So, I often grab the large frozen and discounted shrimp bag ( or two) when I need it. For this recipe, I use the wild-caught gulf shrimp.

    They are quite large, and I have to peel them. But it is so worth it. You can use small, large, extra-large, or even make this with or without peel (and let everyone do the peeling work at the table).

    Just know that the cooking time might slightly differ based on the shrimp's size.

    Extra virgin Olive oil

    It's truly all about the olive oil flavors. Don't be skimpy here. The olive oil, especially when paired with the right spices, makes this dish.

    But I'm still not using as much as in the more classical garlic oil shrimp dish. Go for more if you must pair it with crusted bread to soak up all the juices. There is no wrong way here.

    Garlic

    I am using four, but feel free to go wilder if you want to. Six of them is a good number too.

    Leeks

    They get a head start in the pan with a pinch of salt until softened and infused with the garlic's aroma.

    They are mildly oniony, delicately sweet, and well...making this a happy, healthy garlic shrimp dish.

    This vegetable absorbs quite some oil, so I always like to drizzle extra virgin olive oil onto my finished plate.

    It's totally optional but highly recommended because it's what you and I deserve. Get more to make my Cod And Leek Recipe.

    Parsley

    It's fresh, peppery, and earthy, and when tossed together with the rest of the ingredients, it brightens the flavors.

    Plus, don't forget to use some for garnish, because it looks pretty too.

    Lemon Peel

    I don't use this often in my recipes, but it adds a delicious lemony flavor.

    Dried oregano

    Oh, how I love this herb, and here it balances any naturally developed sweet flavors.

    Cayenne pepper

    Adjust this seasoning based on taste. I keep my shrimp lightly spicy—because otherwise, my daughter won't eat it—but it's absolutely fine to use a heavier amount and heat things up a little.

    Salt and pepper

    The amount is up to you, but I would go a bit heavy on the black pepper.

    Note: If you use frozen shrimp, defrost by letting them sit for 20 to 30 minutes in a bowl covered with water. Add 5 to 7 minutes to the prep time if you have to peel the shrimp.

    Keep it low-carb

    A closeup of a large skillet filled with sauteed shrimp and leeks.

    This one-pan dish is served straight from the stove to my dinner table. And I love this paired with a mixed green salad that quickly comes together while the shrimp are cooking (and keeping an eye on them, of course).

    If you love a more substantial side dish, this kale-apple salad with creamy avocado pesto will fit that bill.

    During the warmer months, I recommend a more refreshing mango-avocado salad.

    And if you should have some leftovers of the Mashed Cauliflower, reheat it and top it off with these healthy garlic shrimp. It might sound like a strange dish to pair it with, but you can tell me later if you like it or not. I love it.

    Make it a Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

    Garlic shrimp and cassava flour pasta served on a plate next to a glass of red wine.

    Is there a more comforting dish than garlic shrimp pasta...paired with a glass of wine? Maybe there is, but I think this one is high on the list. It's always heavy on flavor and satisfaction.

    We are mostly a gluten-free family—except for my husband, blessed with a stomach that can withstand mud—forgive me if jealously creeps in here for a moment.

    Any spaghetti will do here, but if you are looking for a good gluten-free brand, I recommend Jovial—their thin capellini pasta pairs well with a light olive-based sauce.

    Lately, I've also been experimenting with grain-free Cassava flour pasta. It can get mushy quickly if you overcook these noodles even a little, so I always take it out a minute or two earlier with still quite a bite to it, and that works.

    Note: Add some salt to the pasta water while cooking and reserve some of that pasta liquid to add to the shrimp when tossing in the cooked noodles or add an extra drizzle of olive oil.

    And, oh, don't forget that parmesan cheese.

    Serve as a hot shrimp appetizer

    A close up of sauteed shrimp with leeks on a small plate served with toast and a drizzle of olive oil.

    Garlic shrimp is a luxurious appetizer with the right presentation and, in my experience, makes most guests happy.

    You'll need beautiful small plates—simple, square, round; it doesn't matter. But it needs to be the ones you have to wash afterward.

    And I know nobody likes doing the dishes after a house party but eating shrimp from paper plates just does not taste the same. You know it.

    Then, I recommend a generous loaf of crusty or toasted bread and four or five shrimps served per plate.

    You can go all the way and offer olives, aged cheese, veggie, and tuna bites on the side, of course, with a sip of red wine. I'll come to your party.

    A large white plate filled with sauteed shrimp and leeks, placed on a wooden table.

    It's not your classic shrimp in garlic oil, but I promised a healthier garlic shrimp recipe, flavorful and versatile enough to serve it up in different ways. Enjoy!

    📖 Recipe

    A closeup of a large skillet filled with sauteed shrimp and leeks.

    Healthy Garlic Shrimp with Leeks

    Mariska Ramondino
    A flavorful, easy and healthy garlic shrimp recipe, mildly spiced and infused with sweet leeks—pair it with your favorite salad for a low carb dinner, toss it into gluten-free pasta noodles, or serve with olive-oil-drizzled toasted bread as an appetizer!
    4.70 from 26 votes
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Courses
    Cuisine Italian

    Equipment

    • Lemon Peel, Granulated
    • Simply Organic Oregano
    Servings 4 Servings

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 to 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
    • 4 cloves garlic chopped
    • 2 medium-sized leeks chopped
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 pounds wild-caught shrimp (about 16-20 large shrimp per pound)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon peel
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 handful chopped parsley for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add garlic, cook, and stir for 10 seconds to release its aroma.
    • Stir in the chopped leeks. I like to sprinkle the vegetables with a few pinches of sea salt at this point (optional)
    • Cook and occasionally stir for 5 minutes, or until leeks are softened.
    • Add in the shrimp, then season everything with lemon peel, cayenne pepper, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. I am pretty generous with black pepper in this dish. Let the shrimp cook for a few minutes and let one side becoming pinkish before combining it thoroughly with the leeks.
    • Cook and stir until the shrimp are pink on both sides, opaque and cooked through, and the flavors have come together (anywhere from 6 to 15 minutes depending on their size).
    • Optional: drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over the entire dish and stir in half of the chopped parsley.
    • Serve with extra parsley for garnish.

    Notes

    Cooking time: Because the jumbo shrimp are mixed in with the vegetables, it might take a little longer to get them to the desired consistency. I usually cook and stir the shrimp with the leeks for about 6 to 15 minutes if they are large in size. But I like my shrimp well done. Check and taste test after 6 minutes.
    Cleaning leeks: Cut away the ends and the tough green tops— I usually reserve these to help flavor my bone broth. Then cut the vegetables lengthwise in half, open up the leaves, and thoroughly wash any dirt or sand hidden between them under running water.

    Add your own private notes

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.

    Nutrition (% Daily value)

    Calories: 351kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 8g (3%)Protein: 47g (94%)Fat: 15g (23%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 365mg (122%)Sodium: 280mg (12%)Potassium: 709mg (20%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 939IU (19%)Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)Calcium: 187mg (19%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

    Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.

    Tried this recipe? PIN it for laterMention @mychefsapron or tag #mychefsapron!
    « Buttery Baked Salmon with Baby Broccoli
    Healthy Coconut Bites With Chocolate And Pistachios »

    Comments

    1. Shelley says

      December 05, 2021 at 11:03 am

      Made this last night and I was delicious! I had some kale and added it to the dish. Will make again!!!

      Reply
      • Mariska Ramondino says

        December 06, 2021 at 10:08 am

        Hi Shelley, thank you for stopping by. I am so glad you liked it, and what a great idea to add some kale to this dish!!

        Reply
    4.70 from 26 votes (26 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    “Cooking may be as much a means of self-expression as any of the arts.”

    –Fannie Farmer

    A beautiful lady turning her head smilingly.

    Hi, I'm Mariska—I love to explore food & all things nourishing in and outside the kitchen. As a PN 1 Certified Nutrition Coach, I encourage cooking more at home and eating intuitively. Let's embark on this journey together!

    Read More →

    Comforting Easy Meals


    • A beautiful dish with a whole chicken and potatoes topped with a healthy gravy.
      Slow Cooker Chicken And Potatoes With A Healthy Gravy

    • Two black plates filled with a hearty potato and beef stew.
      How To Make An Amazing Instant Pot Beef Stew

    • Cast iron skillet pork chops with apples, squash and pan juices served on a table.
      Juicy Cast Iron Pork Chops With Apples And Squash

    • Two terracotta bowls filled with a meat sweet potato and stew.
      Sweet Potatoes and Spicy Chorizo Stew

    • A large Dutch oven pan filled with sausage and broccoli rabe pasta.
      Easiest-Ever Sausage Broccoli Rabe Pasta with Potatoes

    • Two bowls filled with Straciatella soup with tortellini next to a large pot of soup, extra Parmesan cheese and wooden spoons on the side.
      Nourishing Stracciatella Soup (Italian Egg Drop Soup)


    Trending Recipes

    • A large pot containing a whole raw chicken covered with water, next to fresh chopped vegetables like celery, leek, carrots, onions, and a pot of salt.
      Fall-off-the-bone poached whole chicken (meal prep)

    • A large pot containing an Italian red sauce with beef meatballs.
      Tender Italian Meatballs In Tomato Sauce (No Breadcrumbs)

    • A plate neatly filled with baked chicken wings and garnished with celery and parsley.
      Marinated Chicken Wings

    • Oven baked lollipop drumsticks on a serving plate.
      How To Make Amazing Chicken Drumstick Lollipops

    • A plate containing cauliflower rice and topped with fall of the bone beef ribs.
      Super Flavorful Easy Beef Short Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe

    • Two bowls filled with yellow squash soup, topped with Parmesan cheese and served with extra cheese and bread on the side.
      Healthy Butternut Squash-Zucchini and Rosemary Soup

    “Cooking can cure almost anything.”

    –Michelle Dockery

    Get My Best 20 Hacks To Easily Add More Nutrition To Your Meals.
    Yes, Please

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Newsletter: Sign-up for emails and updates

    About Me & Contact * Privacy Policy * Disclaimer * Terms & Conditions * Disclosure * Accessibility Policy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 MYCHEFSAPRON BY LIFEFUELER CONSULTING LLC—All rights reserved.

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Flipboard

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.