This Spicy Shrimp Rice Bowl is the perfect balance of bold flavors, creamy textures, and fresh ingredients. Juicy, seasoned shrimp sit atop fluffy jasmine rice, paired with crisp veggies and creamy avocado. The drizzle of spicy Sriracha mayo takes this bowl to the next level, adding just the right amount of heat and tang.
Perfect for a quick dinner, meal prep, or a healthy lunch, this dish comes together in just 20 minutes. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for a delicious and easy meal idea, this shrimp rice bowl is guaranteed to impress with every bite. Serve it with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh cilantro for a picture-perfect finish!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Spicy Mayo:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Directions:
- In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Toss shrimp with olive oil and seasoning mix until well coated.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side or until opaque and slightly crispy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Sriracha, soy sauce, and lime juice to make the spicy mayo.
- Assemble the bowls by dividing cooked rice into two bowls.
- Arrange shrimp, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, and avocado on top.
- Drizzle with spicy mayo and sprinkle with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 2 servings
Spicy Shrimp Rice Bowls with Creamy Mayo Drizzle: A Flavorful and Satisfying Meal
Shrimp rice bowls with spicy mayo are a fantastic choice for anyone who loves bold flavors, a balance of textures, and a satisfying yet light meal. This dish combines succulent shrimp, fluffy rice, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, slightly spicy mayo drizzle to create a perfect harmony of taste and texture. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a meal-prep option, or a dish to impress guests, this recipe is an excellent addition to your rotation.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility. While the shrimp is the star of the show, the accompanying ingredients play an essential role in enhancing the overall experience. The balance of spice, freshness, and creaminess makes this dish not just delicious but also satisfying in every bite.
A significant advantage of this dish is its ability to be easily customized. You can swap out vegetables based on what you have available, adjust the heat level to your liking, or even replace shrimp with another protein. Whether you’re following a high-protein diet, looking for a gluten-free option, or simply craving a quick and delicious meal, this bowl has something for everyone.
The Secret to Perfectly Cooked Shrimp
Shrimp is incredibly delicate and requires careful attention while cooking. Overcooking shrimp can make them rubbery and dry, while undercooking can leave them unpleasantly translucent. The key to achieving that perfect juicy, tender texture is cooking shrimp for just 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat. A good indicator that your shrimp are ready is when they turn from a grayish color to an opaque pink with a slight golden sear.
Additionally, seasoning the shrimp before cooking helps enhance their natural sweetness and ensures that every bite is packed with flavor. A combination of garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper gives the shrimp a bold, slightly smoky, and spicy taste that complements the creamy mayo drizzle perfectly.
The Role of Rice in This Dish
Rice serves as the foundation of this bowl, soaking up the delicious flavors of the shrimp and spicy mayo. Jasmine rice is a great choice because of its slightly sticky, aromatic nature, which holds up well with the other ingredients. However, if you’re looking to add extra nutrients or fiber, you can swap jasmine rice for brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even quinoa.
Cooking the rice properly is crucial to achieving the perfect consistency. Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch, which prevents it from becoming overly sticky. Cooking it in slightly less water than usual can also help maintain a firmer texture, ensuring that it doesn’t become mushy when mixed with the other ingredients.
The Magic of Spicy Mayo
Spicy mayo is what ties the entire dish together. The rich, creamy texture of mayonnaise, combined with the heat from Sriracha and the slight tanginess of soy sauce and lime juice, creates a well-balanced sauce that enhances every element in the bowl.
The amount of heat in the mayo can be easily adjusted based on your preference. If you love spicy food, adding an extra teaspoon of Sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes can elevate the heat level. Alternatively, if you prefer a milder version, reducing the amount of Sriracha and adding a touch of honey can create a slightly sweet and smoky flavor.
For a healthier alternative, you can substitute regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or avocado-based mayo, which provides the same creamy consistency but with added nutrients and fewer calories.
Freshness and Crunch: Choosing the Right Vegetables
One of the best parts of this dish is the variety of textures. The tender shrimp and fluffy rice contrast beautifully with the crisp, fresh vegetables, creating a well-rounded eating experience.
Shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumbers, and creamy avocado bring different elements of flavor and texture. Carrots add a touch of natural sweetness and a satisfying crunch, while cucumbers provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the spicy mayo. Avocado, with its smooth and buttery consistency, balances out the heat and adds a layer of richness to the bowl.
Other vegetable options include:
- Red cabbage: Adds a pop of color and crunch.
- Edamame: Boosts protein and gives a slightly nutty flavor.
- Radishes: Provide a peppery bite that enhances the freshness of the dish.
The flexibility of this recipe allows you to mix and match ingredients based on what you have available, making it an excellent meal to use up leftover vegetables in your fridge.
Garnishing for Flavor and Presentation
Garnishing is often overlooked, but it plays a vital role in elevating a dish both in flavor and appearance. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nutty, toasty crunch, while fresh cilantro enhances the dish with its bright, citrusy notes. Green onions bring a mild, onion-like sharpness that rounds out the flavors.
For an extra umami kick, you can drizzle a bit of soy sauce or add a few drops of sesame oil just before serving. If you’re a fan of spicy food, a light dusting of crushed red pepper flakes or an extra drizzle of Sriracha can provide an extra layer of heat.
Why This Dish is Perfect for Meal Prep
If you’re someone who loves having easy, grab-and-go meals during the week, this shrimp rice bowl is an ideal choice for meal prep. You can cook the rice, prepare the vegetables, and make the spicy mayo ahead of time, keeping everything stored separately until you’re ready to eat.
To keep the shrimp fresh, it’s best to cook them just before serving. However, if you’re planning to prepare them ahead of time, make sure to store them in an airtight container and consume them within two days for the best taste and texture.
For a quick assembly, simply reheat the rice, top with the prepped ingredients, and drizzle with spicy mayo for an instant, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Serving Suggestions and Pairing Ideas
This shrimp rice bowl is a complete meal on its own, but you can pair it with complementary dishes to make it even more special. Some excellent side options include:
- Miso Soup: A light and savory soup that pairs well with the bold flavors of the bowl.
- Seaweed Salad: A refreshing, umami-packed salad that adds an extra crunch.
- Gyoza or Dumplings: A fun appetizer that complements the dish’s Asian-inspired flavors.
For drinks, an iced green tea or a citrus-infused sparkling water can provide a refreshing balance to the richness of the spicy mayo.
Conclusion
Spicy Shrimp Rice Bowls with Creamy Mayo Drizzle are the perfect combination of bold, satisfying flavors and fresh, wholesome ingredients. This dish is easy to make, highly customizable, and packed with nutrients, making it an excellent choice for both busy weeknights and meal prep.
Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for a quick and flavorful dinner option, this recipe delivers on all fronts. From the juicy, perfectly seasoned shrimp to the crunchy vegetables and creamy, spicy mayo, every bite is a delicious mix of textures and flavors.
The best part? You can make this recipe your own by experimenting with different vegetables, grains, or spice levels. It’s a meal that’s not only restaurant-quality but also easy to prepare in the comfort of your own kitchen. So why not give it a try tonight? Your taste buds will thank you!