Detox Buddha Bowl Shrimp Quinoa (Printable Version)

Vibrant bowl with shrimp, crisp vegetables, avocado, and quinoa in tangy balsamic dressing. A light, nutrient-packed meal ready in 35 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

01 - 7 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Grains

02 - 1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked
03 - 1 cup water

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 cup broccoli florets
05 - 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
06 - 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
07 - 1 medium tomato, diced
08 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced

→ Dressing

09 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Garnish

12 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
13 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse quinoa under cold water. Combine quinoa and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until water is fully absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - While quinoa cooks, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add broccoli and asparagus, blanch for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
03 - Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
05 - Divide cooked quinoa between two bowls. Arrange shrimp, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, tomato, and avocado on top in sections.
06 - Drizzle bowls with balsamic-olive oil dressing. Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedge if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 35 minutes flat, which means you can actually make it on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The shrimp cooks so fast and tastes restaurant-quality, making you feel fancy on an ordinary day.
  • Everything stays crisp and fresh instead of turning into a soggy, depressing situation by lunchtime.
02 -
  • Undercooked shrimp is rubbery and disappointing—the moment they turn pink and opaque is your sweet spot, usually 2–3 minutes per side depending on size.
  • Blanching vegetables separately seems like an extra step, but it's the difference between a bowl that tastes fresh hours later and one that tastes like sad cafeteria food.
03 -
  • Buy shrimp the same day you're cooking or thaw them slowly overnight in the fridge—this keeps them tender and prevents that rubbery texture that makes you regret everything.
  • Pat your shrimp completely dry before they hit the skillet, otherwise they'll steam instead of sear and you'll miss out on that golden crust.
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