Shrimp Rice Bowls with Spicy Mayo

Shrimp Rice Bowls with Spicy Mayo offer a vibrant, satisfying meal that’s both quick and bursting with bold flavors. The tender shrimp are seasoned simply and sautéed to perfection, while the creamy spicy mayo adds a luscious kick that ties everything together. With fresh veggies, fluffy jasmine rice, and colorful toppings, this dish is visually stunning and incredibly nourishing.

This bowl is ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep, bringing restaurant-level flavor to your kitchen in just minutes. The combination of textures: crunchy cucumber, soft avocado, and juicy shrimp, delivers every bite with contrast and depth. Customizable with your favorite vegetables or rice alternatives, it’s a versatile favorite that balances heat, creaminess, and comfort in one beautiful bowl.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

• 1 avocado, sliced

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to spice preference)

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

Directions:

1. In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sriracha, rice vinegar, and soy sauce to make the spicy mayo.

4. Assemble the bowls: divide rice among serving bowls.

5. Top each with shrimp, cucumber slices, shredded carrots, avocado, and green onions.

6. Drizzle with spicy mayo and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

7. Serve immediately and enjoy warm or chilled.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 485 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Shrimp Rice Bowls with Spicy Mayo: A Flavor-Packed Favorite for Weeknights

Shrimp Rice Bowls with Spicy Mayo are the perfect embodiment of modern home cooking: quick, healthy, flavorful, and absolutely customizable. They’re a vibrant mix of juicy shrimp sautéed to perfection, fluffy jasmine rice, crisp vegetables, and a rich, creamy spicy mayo drizzle that ties the entire dish together. It’s a bowl that delivers a well-rounded meal in both taste and nutrition, making it a favorite among food lovers, busy home cooks, and even meal-preppers.

The beauty of bowl meals lies in their simplicity and endless potential for variation. While poke bowls and burrito bowls have had their moments in the spotlight, shrimp rice bowls hold their own as a satisfying, lighter seafood-based option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture. Whether you’re craving something comforting yet clean or looking for a fun way to use up ingredients from your fridge, these shrimp rice bowls offer the perfect solution.

Why Shrimp Rice Bowls Are So Popular

One of the main reasons shrimp rice bowls are such a hit is their balance of taste and convenience. Shrimp cook in just minutes, making them ideal for anyone short on time but unwilling to compromise on a hearty, homemade meal. Unlike heavier meats or stews, shrimp are naturally low in fat and high in protein, and they pair beautifully with various fresh toppings like cucumber, avocado, and shredded carrots.

The spicy mayo in this recipe elevates the bowl from good to unforgettable. Inspired by Japanese and Korean flavors, spicy mayo typically blends mayonnaise with a chili component like sriracha. This creamy sauce adds a kick without overpowering the delicate flavor of shrimp. You can always adjust the heat level based on your spice tolerance, making it great for both spice lovers and those who prefer a milder dish.

Nutritional Benefits of Shrimp and Fresh Ingredients

From a nutritional perspective, this dish offers a well-balanced macro profile. Shrimp is a lean source of protein, supplying essential nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine. Jasmine rice provides a comforting carbohydrate base that helps keep you full and satisfied. While white rice is traditionally used, you can easily substitute it with brown rice or quinoa for a higher fiber content.

Avocados contribute healthy fats and add a creamy texture, balancing the spice from the mayo. Carrots and cucumbers, on the other hand, bring freshness and crunch while adding essential vitamins and hydration to the meal. You could also incorporate greens like spinach, shredded lettuce, or cabbage for even more nutrients.

This dish is inherently gluten-free, provided you use tamari instead of soy sauce. That makes it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions. It’s also dairy-free, assuming the mayo you use is dairy-free, making it accessible to a wide variety of eaters.

Customization Ideas

What makes shrimp rice bowls truly amazing is how customizable they are. Here are a few fun ideas to inspire your own variation:

• Swap the Protein: Replace shrimp with grilled salmon, tofu, chicken, or even crispy chickpeas for a vegetarian twist.

• Change the Base: Try using brown rice, cauliflower rice, sushi rice, or soba noodles instead of jasmine rice.

• Go Tropical: Add pineapple chunks, mango, or pickled red onions for a sweet and tangy flavor contrast.

• Boost the Crunch: Top your bowl with chopped peanuts, cashews, or fried garlic for texture.

• Make It Lighter: Serve over mixed greens instead of rice for a low-carb version.

• Extra Heat: Add chopped jalapeños or a drizzle of hot chili oil if you like it fiery.

You can also experiment with different sauces. Instead of the spicy mayo, consider drizzling with teriyaki sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a simple sesame soy dressing. Each small tweak can transform the bowl into a new experience, keeping things exciting in the kitchen.

Perfect for Meal Prep

These bowls aren’t just tasty; they’re practical. Shrimp rice bowls make an excellent option for meal prep. You can cook the rice and shrimp ahead of time, store them in individual containers, and keep the toppings fresh and separate until ready to eat. Just reheat the rice and shrimp, top with your veggies and spicy mayo, and you’ve got lunch or dinner ready in minutes.

To keep everything fresh:

• Store the shrimp and rice separately from the vegetables.

• Add the spicy mayo just before serving to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.

• Use air-tight containers to lock in flavor and prevent cross-contamination of smells and moisture.

Meal-prepping bowls like these can save time, reduce food waste, and make healthy eating much more achievable during a busy week.

How to Serve Shrimp Rice Bowls

Presentation matters, especially when enjoying a bowl that’s as visually appealing as it is flavorful. Consider layering your ingredients thoughtfully:

1. Start with a generous scoop of rice at the bottom.

2. Arrange the sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and avocado in neat sections or a fan shape.

3. Top with shrimp and drizzle the spicy mayo in a zigzag motion across the top.

4. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or even a sprinkle of furikake (a Japanese seasoning blend).

5. Serve with a wedge of lime or lemon for added zing.

This dish also pairs wonderfully with miso soup, edamame, or a side salad dressed in sesame vinaigrette for a complete meal.

Conclusion

Shrimp Rice Bowls with Spicy Mayo are a colorful, delicious, and satisfying meal that you’ll want to add to your weekly rotation. They combine fresh ingredients, easy preparation, and bold flavors in a way that feels indulgent but remains wholesome. From quick weeknight dinners to intentional meal prep, this dish checks all the boxes: fast, flavorful, nutritious, and visually stunning.

Whether you follow the original recipe or mix things up with your own favorite toppings and sauces, the end result will be a bowl that brings comfort, nutrition, and a little heat to your table. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar without the stress or mess.

So next time you’re craving something exciting yet simple, remember this shrimp rice bowl. It’s not just a meal, it’s a canvas for flavor, color, and creativity.