Citrus Shrimp & Spiced Green Bean Sheet Pan
This vibrant sheet pan meal features succulent shrimp and crisp-tender green beans, infused with bright citrus and warm spices. A perfect low-carb, diabetic-friendly option for an uplifting weeknight dinner or a delightful meal for guests.
Equipment
- Large rimmed baking sheet (approx. 18x13 inches, or two standard baking sheets to avoid overcrowding)
- Microplane or zester
- Large bowl (for beans)
- Medium bowl (for shrimp)
- Whisk
- Tongs
Ingredients
Main Components:
- 1.5 lbs extra-large raw shrimp approx. 21-25 count per pound, peeled, deveined, and thoroughly thawed
- 1.5 lbs fresh thin green beans stem ends trimmed
Fresh Aromatics & Fat:
- 3 medium lemons for zest (reserve lemons for optional juice at serving)
- 6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
Seasonings & Spices:
- 1.5 teaspoons fine sea salt divided
- 1.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper divided
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste, for a mild warmth
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Shrimp: Position an oven rack in the center and preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Pat the thawed shrimp very dry with paper towels to ensure they roast rather than steam.
- Zest Lemons: Carefully zest the three lemons using a microplane or fine zester. Set the zest aside. The zested lemons can be cut into wedges for serving at the table, if desired.
- Marinate the Shrimp: In the medium bowl, combine the dried shrimp with all the fresh lemon zest, 3 Tablespoons of the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the sea salt, 3/4 teaspoon of the black pepper, and the 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Gently toss to ensure each shrimp is evenly coated. Allow the shrimp to marinate at room temperature while you prepare the green beans.
- Season the Green Beans: In the large bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 Tablespoons of olive oil, the ground coriander, ground cumin, garlic powder, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and the 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Add the trimmed green beans to the bowl and toss thoroughly until they are well-coated with the spiced oil mixture.
- Roast Green Beans: Spread the seasoned green beans in a single, even layer on the large rimmed baking sheet (or divide between two sheets if necessary to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of roasting). Roast the green beans for 12-15 minutes, stirring or turning them halfway through, until they are tender-crisp and lightly browned.
- Add Shrimp and Finish Roasting: After the initial roasting time for the beans, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Distribute the marinated shrimp amongst the green beans in a single layer. Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue to roast for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque, pink, and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
- Serve: Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Serve the Sunshine Citrus Shrimp & Spiced Green Bean Sheet Pan meal immediately. If desired, squeeze fresh juice from the reserved lemon wedges over the meal before serving.
Notes
- Shrimp: Ensure shrimp are fully thawed and patted very dry before marinating. This helps them roast properly and achieve a better texture. If using shrimp with tails on, you can leave them for presentation or remove them according to preference.
- Green Beans: Thinner green beans (such as haricots verts) work best for quicker, even cooking. If using thicker green beans, they may require a few extra minutes of roasting time before adding the shrimp.
- Spice Level: The 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper provides a very mild background warmth. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit if you prefer no heat.
- Sheet Pan Size: Using a sufficiently large baking sheet or two smaller ones is crucial to allow the ingredients to roast in a single layer. Overcrowding will cause the food to steam, preventing browning and the development of desirable textures.
- Calories: 261 kcal
- Protein: 25.3 g
- Total Fat: 14.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: approx. 213 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9.2 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.6 g
- Total Sugars: 3.7 g
- Sodium: approx. 804 mg