One Pan Dairy Free Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Introduction

For a restaurant-worthy dinner that takes minimal effort and time, One Pan Dairy Free Creamy Garlic Shrimp delivers on bold flavor, luscious texture, and convenience. This dish is perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions—simply toss everything into one pan for easy prep and cleanup! Best of all, the creamy sauce gets its richness without any dairy, making it ideal for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking for a lighter, fresher take on a classic.

Why This One Pan Dairy Free Creamy Garlic Shrimp Is a Game Changer

What truly sets this recipe apart is the decadent, silky sauce created with coconut milk and olive oil, infused generously with fresh garlic. Sautéed shrimp become tender and juicy, soaking up all the aromatic flavor. Bright pops from lemon juice and a sprinkle of herbs finely balance the richness, creating a versatile meal that’s impressive yet simple to prepare. Plus, it all comes together in under 30 minutes—without piles of dirty dishes.

Building the Perfect Dairy Free Creamy Garlic Sauce

While traditional creamy sauces rely heavily on butter and cream, this version uses full-fat coconut milk to achieve a similar richness, with hints of nutty sweetness. The key is to cook down the garlic slowly in olive oil, infusing it with maximum flavor before adding the shrimp and coconut milk. Finish with a splash of fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley for vibrance and color.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

For a complete meal, serve this garlic shrimp over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or gluten-free pasta. Roasted or sautéed asparagus, spinach, or broccoli make excellent side choices, further complementing the dish’s creamy and zesty undertones. Garnish each plate with extra parsley, lemon wedges, and a crack of black pepper for a restaurant-style presentation.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about four satisfying servings. Each portion contains roughly 250-300 calories (without sides), 23g protein, and less than 2g of saturated fat—with no dairy at all. It’s a wholesome dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a categorized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making meal planning and grocery runs simpler and more efficient.

Instructions

1. Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
2. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant—about 1 minute—being careful not to burn.
3. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
4. Pour the coconut milk into the pan, stirring well to deglaze any browned bits. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, reducing slightly.
5. Stir in lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and half the chopped parsley. Let cook 1–2 minutes for flavors to meld.
6. Return shrimp to the pan, tossing to coat in the creamy sauce. Heat through for another minute.
7. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and garnish with lemon wedges just before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This One Pan Dairy Free Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe is ideal for weekly meal prep—shrimp cook quickly and the sauce reheats beautifully. Make it ahead and serve with your favorite grains or greens throughout the week!

Save and schedule this recipe to see how it fits into your meal plan and allow CookifyAI to combine all your weekly ingredients into one smart shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

– Tallies total ingredient needs across all planned recipes
– Sorts grocery lists by store section for hassle-free shopping
– Prevents buying duplicates or missing key ingredients
– Streamlines healthy meal prep for busy weeks

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals with shared ingredients (like garlic, parsley, or coconut milk), CookifyAI’s scheduling ensures you buy just what you need—nothing more, nothing less. Cut down on waste, save money, and cook confidently all week long.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes