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    Home » Recipes » Entrees

    Shrimp Fajita Rice Bowls

    Published: Sep 12, 2023 by Lyndsay Homme Modified: Sep 12, 2023
    This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These are easy, delicious rice bowls with plump buttery shrimp, zesty fajita-style flavors, and sweet sauttéed vegetables. The recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, and it's great for meal prep. It's gluten free and dairy free, too!

    shrimp fajita rice bowls

    I love rice bowls because they're easy to make and leftovers work great for packed lunches. This fajita bowl is one of my favorites because it's packed with flavor, and it has plenty of fresh vegetables. It's a great source of protein, vitamins C and B12, selenium, and iron.

    To complete the meal try pairing this with my Sugar-Free Margarita and a side of guacamole. These are great options if you're craving a trip to your favorite Mexican restaurant but want to keep things on the healthier side.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storing leftovers
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Shrimp Fajita Rice Bowl
    • Food safety tips

    Ingredients

    • shrimp: I like to use wild-caught shrimp without any added ingredients or preservatives, and I usually find them frozen at Whole Foods. If you can buy them peeled and deveined, that will save you on the preparation time.
    • orange bell pepper: Organic bell peppers are recommended to help reduce your exposure to pesticides.
    • fajita seasoning: The fajita seasoning you choose will play an important role in our bowl's flavor. Be sure to choose one that has minimal additives and a level of heat that's suitable for your taste buds. This is the one that I use.
    • black beans: Plain canned black beans will work in this, but for even more flavor try using seasoned prepared black beans. I like Fillo's Cuban Black Beans because they're pre-cooked, full of flavor, and made with clean ingredients.
    • onion
    • garlic
    • avocado oil (olive oil works too)
    • rice (I use organic brown rice)
    • avocado (for garnish)
    • cilantro (for garnish)
    • lime (for garnish)

    See the recipe card below for quantities.

    Instructions

    You'll start by preparing your rice according to the package instructions. While your rice is cooking, cook your vegetables just until they start to brown. Then, you'll add in your shrimp and seasoning and cook until the shrimp is cooked through.

    peppers and onions

    Sauté the pepper onion in the avocado oil.

    shrimp pepper and onions

    Add in your raw shrimp.

    shrimp being seasoned with fajita seasoning

    Stir in the fajita seasoning.

    fajita shrimp with peper and onion

    Cook the shrimp.

    Once your shrimp is cooked you can assemble your bowls. Add some rice into your bowl, top with some of the shrimp and vegetables, then garnish with avocado and cilantro. I also like to give it a squeeze of fresh lime juice to add a touch of citrus.

    Tip: Be sure your shrimp are well-cleaned for the best flavor. If you aren't sure how to devein your shrimp, check out this video. Try not to overcook them or they'll be tough and chewy.

    Substitutions

    If you're looking to reduce the carbohydrates in this or substitute the rice, here are a few suggestions:

    • Cauliflower rice - instead of cooked rice, you can use cauliflower rice to lower the amount of carbs
    • Quinoa - to add more protein, cooked quinoa can be used
    • Double the beans - feel free to skip the rice altogether and use all beans instead.

    This recipe is dairy free as well as gluten free when prepared as written. Be sure to check your fajita seasoning if you're avoiding specific ingredients.

    shrimp fajita rice bowl

    Variations

    If you're looking to add some spice to this dish or make it more kid-friendly, here are a few suggestions:

    • Spicy - add one sliced jalapeño with your vegetables and sautée to add some heat. You can also top the finished bowls with some Cholula hot sauce
    • Kid-friendly - the fajita seasoning defines how spicy these bowls are, so choose a mild one if you're looking for it to be less spicy. I use this one and my teenager doesn't find it spicy at all. Adding some fresh avocado will also help to turn down the heat.

    Equipment

    You don't need any fancy equipment to make this recipe turn out great. For the preparation, you'll want a good cutting board and a nice sharp knife to cut your vegetables and garnish. For cooking, you'll just need a pot to cook your rice and a pan for your shrimp and vegetables. You can also cook your rice in a rice cooker or Instapot if you have one.

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when properly stored in an airtight container. Store and heat the shrimp separately from the rice to avoid overheating and causing them to become tough. Avocado and cilantro garnishes should be added just before serving.

    I do not recommend freezing leftovers, especially if your shrimp was previously frozen.

    Top tip

    Don't overcook the shrimp! They'll be rubbery, tough, and dry. 2 minutes per side should be plenty for them to cook through if they are properly thawed.

    FAQ

    Is this shrimp rice bowl healthy?

    This is a nourishing bowl made with clean, whole ingredients. It's full of protein for muscle repair, zinc for immunity, selenium to support thyroid function, fiber to keep you full and help control blood sugar, and potassium to support the nervous system. It is high in healthful carbohydrates, which may not be appropriate for everyone.

    Related

    Looking for more recipes? Try these:

    • tomato basil shrimp
      Shrimp With Basil And Tomato
    • kid friendly turkey chili
      Kid-Friendly Turkey Chili
    • meatless chili with sweet potato quinoa and black beans
      Meatless Chili with Black Beans, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa
    • slow cooker pork carnitas
      Easy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Pairing

    These are my favorite recipes to serve with fajita shrimp rice bowls:

    • keto skinny margarita
      Keto Friendly Margarita (sugar free)
    • Spicy Watermelon Margarita
      Spicy Watermelon Margarita
    • Tropical Guacamole
      Tropical Guacamole
    • Tomato Avocado Salad
      Tomato Avocado Salad
    shrimp and rice fajita bowl

    Shrimp Fajita Rice Bowl

    A delicious easy meal full of fajita flavors and ready in under 30 minutes. Great for dinner or meal prep!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Servings 3

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb large shrimp peeled, washed, and deveined
    • 1 orange bell pepper diced
    • 1 onion diced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 oz fajita seasoning
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 cup rice cooked
    • 15 oz black beans cooked, drained
    • avocado optional. for garnish
    • cilantro optional, for garnish
    • lime optional, for granish

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add your pepper and onion and sauté until they're soft and start to brown. This can take about 20-30 minutes.
    • Add in your fajita seasoning, water, and shrimp.
    • Cook the shrimp for 2 minutes, flip, and cook for 2 minutes more or until cooked through.
    • To assemble your bowls add about ⅓ cup cooked rice and ½ cup beans to each bowl. Top with your shrimp and vegetables, and garnish with avocado and cilantro.

    Video

    Notes

    See the post above for tips and ingredients I like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 607kcalCarbohydrates: 96gProtein: 38gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 1627mgPotassium: 890mgFiber: 16gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2410IUVitamin C: 58mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword shrimp
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    Food safety tips

    If you're new to cooking with raw shrimp, here are some tips for safe handling:

    • Discard any shrimp that smell off or look discolored or freezer-burned
    • Cook shrimp to a minimum temperature of 140°F
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw shrimp
    • Wash your hands after touching the raw shrimp
    • Don't leave raw shrimp sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Be sure to clean all surfaces after exposing them to raw seafood

    More Dairy-Free Entrée Recipes

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      Slow Cooker Barbacoa-Inspired Shredded Beef
    • sausage and rice meal recipe
      Easy Sausage and Rice Meal
    • easy shrimp alfredo
      Easy Shrimp Alfredo
    • Crockpot Shredded Chicken for Tacos
      Crockpot Shredded Chicken for Tacos

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Lyndsay Homme

    Hi, I'm Lyndsay! I'm a certified nutrition coach who loves food and studying its effects on our bodies. I started a dairy-free journey when my son was diagnosed with milk intolerance in 2009. He grew out of his intolerance when he was 7, and a few years later I grew into one.

    More about me →

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