Cilantro-Lime Shrimp with Jasmine Rice and Charred Scallions
Ingredients
- 1 cupjasmine rice
- 2 cupswater
- ·salt
- 1 poundlarge shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2lime
- ·fresh cilantro
- 4scallions
- 3 tablespoonolive oil
- 3 clovesgarlic
- ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- ·black pepper
Prep
- 01
Peel and devein 1 pound large shrimp; pat dry and set aside.
- 02
Juice 2 limes and chop a handful of fresh cilantro.
- 03
Trim scallions and cut into 3-inch pieces.
- 04
Mince 3 cloves garlic (optional, for extra flavor in step 5).
Method
- 01
Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil with a pinch of salt. Add rice, stir once, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- 02
While rice cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.
- 03
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring, then flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- 04
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add the scallions in a single layer and let them char for 1 to 2 minutes per side until lightly blackened at the tips. Transfer to a cutting board.
- 05
Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and divide between bowls. Top with the shrimp and charred scallions. Drizzle with lime juice (about 1/2 lime per serving), scatter cilantro over top, and add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
Spice Tips
For warmth, increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or add a small fresh red chili, sliced. A splash of fish sauce (1 teaspoon) in the lime juice adds savory depth. For herbaceous richness, finish with fresh mint or basil alongside the cilantro.
If you'd like deeper flavor, mince the garlic and add it to the skillet with the scallions in step 4. Shrimp cook quickly, so don't walk away—they go from perfect to rubbery in seconds. You can prep all ingredients while the rice simmers.