Sometimes the simplest meals are the most memorable — especially when they’re as flavorful, fast, and satisfying as this one. While visiting Monika for a weekend getaway at her coastal home, she whipped up this Shrimp Skillet with White Beans in what felt like no time at all. I was still talking about what wine we should open when she was already plating a steaming, gorgeous dish that looked like something off a restaurant menu.
Inspired by Mediterranean flavors and a passion for no-fuss cooking, Monika’s skillet meal is loaded with juicy shrimp, blistered cherry tomatoes, creamy white beans, and a splash of lemon. The best part? It’s ready in under 20 minutes — and perfect for scooping up with warm crusty bread or piling over fluffy rice.
Light, balanced, and nutrient-rich — this dish is perfect for those looking for a flavorful, Mediterranean-style meal.
How to Make Shrimp Skillet with White Beans
Shrimp Skillet with White Beans (Bright & Easy Weeknight Recipe)
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil Extra virgin
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper flakes optional
- 1 can White Beans Drained and rinsed (15 oz)
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ lbs Shrimp Peeled and deveined
- ½ zest Lemon Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 oz Fresh Parsley For Garnish, Optional
- 1 count Aleppo Pepper Optional
- ½ bottle Cooking Wine May replace with Shrimp Broth
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers.Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for about two minutes, or until they start toblister and soften. Add the Aleppo pepper, garlic and cook for approximately aminute, or until aromatic.
- Pour in the wine (or broth- see recipe notes for creating Shrimp Broth) and let it simmer until reduced by half, about 1minute.
- Stir in the white beans, reduce heat to medium-low, and season with salt. Letthem warm through for 1-2 minutes. Some people choose to remove the Beans in this step, others let the shrimp cook with beans.
- Put the Shrimps (or prawns) in the skillet, cover, and mix gently. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the Shrimps / prawns are opaque and just cooked through. Add the Beans back if you removed the beans in last step and Mix.
- Sprinkle with parsley, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice for brightness. Serveimmediately with crusty bread or over rice for a heartier meal.
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Shrimp Skillet with White Beans:
Don’t overcook the shrimp: They only need a few minutes — when they curl and turn pink, they’re done!
Use canned beans wisely: Rinse and drain them well to avoid a starchy sauce.
Aleppo or red pepper? Aleppo pepper adds a subtle, smoky heat with a hint of fruitiness — use it if you can find it!
Deglazing options: If you’re out of wine or broth, a splash of water with a dash of lemon juice works in a pinch.
What to Serve With
To round out this meal, you’ll want something to soak up the garlicky, lemony pan juices and maybe a side or two for contrast:
1. Crusty Artisan Bread
Perfect for scooping up every drop of that skillet sauce.
Pro Tip: Warm it in the oven and brush with garlic oil for bonus flavor.
2. Steamed Jasmine or Basmati Rice
Makes the meal a bit heartier and helps absorb all the sauce.
3. Lemon Arugula Salad
A peppery, citrusy salad is a bright, fresh companion to the rich shrimp and beans.
4. Charred Asparagus with Garlic Butter
A lightly charred veggie side gives texture and another layer of flavor to the plate.
Ingredient Substitutes:
Shrimp:
- Swap with scallops or diced chicken breast if seafood isn’t your thing.
White Beans:
- Cannellini, Great Northern, or navy beans all work well.
Wine:
- Use Shrimp Broth or chicken broth or vegetable stock for an alcohol-free version.
Tomatoes:
- Diced Roma tomatoes or even canned fire-roasted tomatoes in a pinch.
Spice Level:
- Omit the chili flakes for a milder version, or add a chopped fresh chili for extra heat.
Final Thoughts
Monika’s Shrimp Skillet with White Beans is a perfect example of how simple ingredients, cooked well, can make magic. It’s the kind of dish that feels casual enough for a weeknight but elegant enough to serve to friends. With just the right amount of spice, acidity, and comfort — it’s a new staple in my dinner rotation. You can always remove Beans and just eat go for Shrimp Skillet.
How to Make a Simple, Flavor-Packed Shrimp Broth
If you’re working with fresh shrimp, don’t toss those shells! They’re a secret weapon for infusing depth and flavor into seafood dishes — and this quick shrimp broth adds a rich, savory backbone to any skillet, soup, risotto, or sauce. It’s incredibly easy to make and elevates your dish with a subtle umami boost you just can’t get from water or plain stock.
Ingredients:
- Reserved shrimp shells (from ~½ pound of shrimp)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Slightly more than ½ cup water (about ⅔ cup)
Instructions:
- Sauté the shells:
In a small saucepan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shrimp shells and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. They’ll begin to turn pink and release a toasty, ocean-sweet aroma — this is the flavor magic happening. - Simmer and extract the flavor:
Add about ⅔ cup of water to the pan with the shells. The water will sizzle initially — then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for another 5 minutes. This slow simmer coaxes out all the briny richness and nutrients from the shells into the liquid. - Strain and reserve:
After simmering, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or measuring cup, pressing down on the shells to extract every last drop of broth. You’ll end up with about ¼ cup of intensely flavorful shrimp broth.
Why It Works:
This broth may be small in volume, but it’s big in flavor — adding oceanic depth, a touch of sweetness, and a whisper of luxury to your dish. It’s especially perfect for deglazing a pan or stirring into your sauce just before adding shrimp for an extra boost of natural flavor.
Read Other Healthy Recipes, click here. If You are not thinking about healthy recipes look for White Chocolate Shrimp Alfredo Recipe on The Recipe Diary.
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