This Herb Bliss Shrimp & Rice Bowl is the ultimate glow-up for your weekly meal prep. It features succulent, pan-seared shrimp served over a bed of hearty brown rice that has been folded with fresh baby spinach and a vibrant, creamy Vegan Green Goddess dressing.
The dressing is the star here made with avocado, parsley, and chives, it provides all the richness of a traditional cream-based sauce while being entirely plant-based. It’s a refreshing, herb-forward meal that feels light but keeps you satisfied for hours.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Extremely fresh and herb-heavy with a zesty lemon-vinegar brightness and a rich, buttery finish from the avocado.
- Texture: Chewy whole-grain rice and tender spinach paired with snappy, seared shrimp and a velvety smooth dressing.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 35 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy.
What You’ll Need
To make this bowl, you will need a large pot with a lid for the brown rice and a medium-to-large skillet for searing the shrimp. For the dressing, a food processor or high-speed blender is essential to get that avocado and herb mixture perfectly smooth.
Ingredient Notes
- Brown Rice: Using dry brown rice adds a wonderful nutty flavor and extra fiber. The steaming step after cooking is crucial for ensuring the grains are fluffy and not sticky.
- Shrimp: Approximately 32 shrimp (thawed, tails-off, and deveined) works out to about 8 shrimp per bowl if serving four people.
- Avocado: This provides the “creamy” element to the vegan dressing. Make sure it is ripe so it blends easily.
- Fresh Herb Blend: A combination of parsley and chives gives this bowl its signature “blissful” herb flavor.
- Baby Spinach: Adding the spinach to the hot rice allows it to wilt just enough without becoming mushy.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Extra Crunch: Top with toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sliced radishes for added texture.
- Grains: You can swap the brown rice for quinoa, farro, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version.
- Protein: If you aren’t a fan of shrimp, this herb rice base pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or crispy chickpeas.
- Vegetables: Diced cucumber or halved cherry tomatoes make a great raw addition to the top of the bowl.
How to Make Herb Bliss Shrimp & Rice Bowls
- Cook the Rice: Rinse the brown rice in a fine-mesh sieve under cold water. Transfer the rice to a large pot and add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 25 minutes (or until all liquid is absorbed). Turn off the heat and let the rice steam, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Make the Dressing: While the rice is simmering, prepare the Green Goddess dressing. Place the avocado, parsley, chives, garlic, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and water into a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
- Sear the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel this is key for a good sear. Toss the shrimp in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in batches to ensure they aren’t crowded. Cook for 2 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Set the cooked shrimp aside in a clean bowl.
- Mix the Rice: Once the rice has finished steaming, remove the lid. Fold in the 4 cups of baby spinach; the residual heat from the rice will wilt it perfectly. Stir in the Green Goddess dressing until the rice and spinach are well-combined and creamy.
- Assemble: Divide the green goddess rice mixture into bowls. Top each with 8 pieces of the seared shrimp.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately while the shrimp are warm and the dressing is fresh.
Pro Tip: If you are meal-prepping this, don’t mix the dressing into the rice until you are ready to eat. Storing the dressing separately in a small container ensures the herbs stay vibrant green and the rice doesn’t absorb too much of the moisture.
Recipe Tips
- Dry the Shrimp: If the shrimp are wet when they hit the pan, they will steam rather than sear. Patting them dry ensures you get those delicious golden edges.
- Dressing Consistency: If the dressing is too thick for your liking, add water 1 teaspoon at a time while blending until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Herb Freshness: Use the stems of the parsley too! They hold a lot of flavor and will be completely pulverized by the blender.
FAQs
- How long does this stay fresh? The dressing contains avocado, so it is best eaten within 24 hours to prevent browning. The lemon juice and vinegar help preserve the color, but it will eventually dull.
- Can I use frozen rice? Yes! If you are in a rush, use 3 cups of pre-cooked/frozen brown rice. Just ensure it is hot when you fold in the spinach.
- Is this gluten-free? Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Serving Suggestions
- Spice: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes over the shrimp for a little heat.
- Extra Veg: Serve with a side of roasted asparagus or a few slices of fresh cucumber.
- Citrus: An extra wedge of lemon on the side is always a good idea for a final bright squeeze.
Herb Bliss Shrimp & Rice Bowl
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 Bowls 1x
Description
The Herb Bliss Shrimp & Rice Bowl is the ultimate ‘glow-up’ for your weekly meal prep. Featuring succulent shrimp over a bed of creamy, herb-infused brown rice, it uses a vibrant Vegan Green Goddess dressing made from avocado and fresh herbs for a light yet satisfying finish.
Ingredients
The Bowl Components
- 1 cup brown rice, dry
- 32 shrimp, thawed, tails-off, and deveined
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Vegan Green Goddess Dressing
- 1 large ripe avocado
- 1 cup parsley, packed
- 1/2 cup fresh chives
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the Rice: Rinse rice and simmer with 2 cups water for 25 mins. Let steam, covered, for 10 mins.
Make the Dressing: Blend avocado, parsley, chives, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and water until smooth. Season to taste.
Sear the Shrimp: Pat shrimp dry. Heat oil in a skillet and sear for 2 mins per side until opaque.
Mix the Rice: Fold spinach into the warm rice to wilt. Stir in the Green Goddess dressing until creamy.
Assemble: Divide rice into bowls and top with seared shrimp. Serve immediately.
Notes
Dry the Shrimp: Moisture causes steaming; patting dry ensures a savory sear.
Meal Prep Storage: Store dressing separately to keep the rice texture perfect and the herb color vibrant.
Herb Hack: Use the parsley stems! They blend perfectly and are packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Meal Prep
- Method: Stovetop / Blending
- Cuisine: Healthy / California-Style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: green goddess shrimp bowl, healthy meal prep, vegan green goddess dressing, brown rice shrimp recipe, high protein dairy free, herb rice bowl, 45 minute healthy dinner
