Name: Honey Harissa Shrimp Bowls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: North African Inspired
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons harissa sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon olive oil; zest of 1 lemon; 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; salt and pepper, to taste; 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined; chopped romaine; cooked white rice; pickled onions; crumbled feta; avocado; chopped fresh mint and dill

These Honey Harissa Shrimp Bowls start with a base of crisp lettuce and fluffy rice. Then, you add sweet and spicy, marinated harissa shrimp and all the best toppings. Everything comes together in less than 30 minutes!

What Is Harissa?

If you’re unfamiliar, harissa is a smoky, slightly sweet red pepper sauce that can often be a little spicy, too. Recently, it’s become one of my favorite condiments, and I’ve been using it in everything from herby harissa marinated salmon to sheet pan harissa chicken thighs and this harissa shrimp recipe.

In this recipe, the shrimp are coated with a sweet and savory harissa marinade and cook on the stove in minutes. The final product are tender and juicy shrimp that are bold, tender, and the perfect addition to bowls, salads, and so much more! I’ve been making them on repeat, and I guarantee you will, too!

Recipe Ingredients

Harissa Sauce: harissa is a red chili paste common in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. It has a rich spicy, smoky, peppery flavor that is so delicious and pairs incredibly well with the mild flavor of the shrimp.
Honey: adds a touch of sweetness to balance some of the heat and caramelizes nicely as the shrimp cook.
Oil: this forms the base of the marinade. Choose a high-quality olive oil that you love the taste of for the best flavor.
Lemon Zest: tenderizes the shrimp and adds a bright, citrusy flavor that balances some of the heat.
Garlic: you’ll need at least 3 cloves of garlic for this recipe, but feel free to add more if you’re a garlic lover.
Spices: cumin, salt, and pepper add depth and enhance the rest of the ingredients.
Shrimp: you’ll need one pound of raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp.
Lettuce: I use chopped Romaine for the base of teh bowls, but you can substitute any greens you like best.
White Rice: I like to use cilantro lime rice for the base of these bowls, but any white or brown rice will work.

How to Make Honey Harissa Shrimp Bowls in 3 Simple Steps

Make the honey harissa marinade and then marinate the shrimp for 15-20 minutes.
Next, cook the shrimp! I like to use a hot cast iron skillet and work in batches cook the shrimp for around 2 minutes on each side.
Lastly, assemble the bowls! Start with chopped lettuce and white rice. Then, add the shrimp and all your toppings, and enjoy!

Topping Ideas

The best part of any bowl is the toppings, am I right? For this harissa shrimp recipe, my favorite options include:

Pickled Red Onions
Crumbled Feta
Avocado or Guacamole
Chopped Fresh Mint and Dill
Chopped Cilantro
Lime Wedges

Meal Prep Tips

These honey harissa shrimp bowls are best served right away while the shrimp is warm. However, if needed, you can prep the ingredients in advance! Here are my tips:

Cook the shrimp in advance – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Prepare the rice – cook the rice when you make the shrimp, and store it in airtight containers as well.
Chop the veggies and toppings – that way, all you have to do is reheat the shrimp and rice and then pile on the toppings when you’re ready to serve.

More Delicious Bowl Recipes

I hope you give these Honey Harissa Shrimp Bowls a try! They’re quick, easy, and bursting with bold flavors! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.