Parsley Lemon Pesto Shrimp Wraps are a delicious appetizer or main filled with sautéed garlic shrimps tossed in a light parsley lemon pesto stacked on top of vegan chickpea lemon rice and nestled in a crisp lettuce wrap.
Build your own Lettuce Wraps
Parsley Lemon Pesto Shrimp Wraps are super fun to make for any gathering. You can make everything in advance and just let everyone build their own lettuce wraps. Parsley lemon pesto shrimp wraps are gluten-free, low fat, egg-free and filled with fresh spring flavours.
Why you are going to love our Parsley Lemon Pesto Shrimp Wraps
You are just going to love these parsley lemon pesto shrimp wraps as they are bursting with flavor and so easy to make. I really like the little crisp contrast of the lettuce next to the hearty vegan chickpea lemon rice and light and lovely parsley lemon pesto shrimps and I think you will too.
These wraps are not wimpy by any means. They are very hearty from the protein packed vegan chickpea lemon rice but are also light and bright from the parsley lemon pesto and from the squeeze of fresh lemon juice. I love contrast and texture differences in my food and this little recipe has it all going on. If you love shrimp and rice, you are going to want to try our Shrimp Burritos with Creamy Poblano Sauce.
Parsley the forgotten herb
Parsley most often gets overlooked in cooking. Parsley is most often used as a garnish only, but why is that? It is so delicious and it is growing in abundance in my herb garden above my kitchen window seal so I was determined to put it in the lime light today. Parsley and lemon together are even a better mix. Parsley, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper makes a beautiful marriage when thrown together in the food processor.
I think this parsley lemon pesto would also be great on fish, pasta, grilled chicken, salads and of course it rocks on seafood. If I were you I would double the recipe just to make sure you have leftovers for other recipes. Don't tell me I did not warn you...
Bring on the Lemons
Lemons have really stole the show in the recipe and are used in everything from the cooking of the vegan chickpea lemon rice to the parsley lemon pesto and even to a fresh squeeze of lemon juice right before they are served. Fresh lemons really lightens up this dish and makes you feel like spring has finally really arrived.
I had full intension of just grilling my shrimp on the BBQ but then mother nature decided to crank up the humidity to 100%. I opted instead to just use my iron skillet with a little olive oil and garlic and it was a delightful and easy way to prepare the shrimp in a flash.
Meal Planning
If you make your ingredients in advance of your guests arrival, this would be one very fun idea for a casual gathering. Make your Parsley lemon pesto sauce and place in the refrigerator. Cook your vegan chickpea lemon rice. Wash and prepare your lettuce wraps and your lemon cheeks. Then all you need to do is cook your shrimp which takes less than 5 minutes and toss with the pesto lemon pesto, reheat your rice and enjoy.
Dietary Exchanges
If you are diabetic or watching carbs in your diet just leave out the vegan chickpea lemon rice and make the lettuce wraps with the delicious parsley lemon pesto shrimp and you are good to go. If you have a seafood allergy, then try with chicken or white fish.
In keeping with the budget friendly meal, I used regular old iceberg lettuce as they were 6 HKD a piece here at the local park n shop. However, you can use romaine, butter lettuce, radiccio or any lettuces you like.
I know some real shrimp lovers out there. You know who you are!!! This recipe is for you!
More Favorite shrimp recipes
Shrimp Boats with Pickled Radish
Gluten Free Thai Shrimp Pancakes
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Parsley Lemon Pesto Shrimp Wraps
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegan chickpea lemon rice
cooked and prepared
Parsley Lemon Pesto
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or more as needed to help get the food processor moving)
- ¼ cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
peeled - salt and pepper
to taste
Sautéed Garlic Shrimp
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
peeled and minced - 1 pound shrimp
peeled and deveined - salt and pepper
to taste - ¼ cup red bell pepper
garnish - optional - 8 ice burg lettuce leaves washed and dried
Instructions
- Make your Vegan Chickpea Lemon Rice and set aside.
- Make your Parsley Lemon Pesto: In your food processor add lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- In a medium frying pan, add olive oil, garlic, shrimp and salt and pepper to taste and fry until pink and no longer translucent (about 3 minutes in an iron skillet). Add your chopped red bell pepper and stir fry. You could also grill your shrimp, if you like.
- Toss the shrimp and red peppers with the Parsley Lemon Pesto. Set aside.
- Create Parsley Lemon Pesto Shrimp Wraps: Place a dry and clean lettuce leaf on a plate and mound with a generous portion of Vegan Chickpea Lemon Rice and Parsley lemon shrimp and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. Enjoy!
Can I come live wit yoooou... Pretty Please?! Holy yarm woman, these look phenom. I want this food in my life. I had a salt & vinegar cricket followed by some vegemite chocolate just now, pretty much destroyed the taste buds. A fresh and fabulous meal like this would return my mouth to normal. 🙂
This is a perfect summer meal for the two of us! I love adding lemon to shrimp and what you've done here steps it up quite a bit. Great idea to add the rice to the wrap, making it a well-rounded meal in a leaf of lettuce.
Could I be drooling anymore?! Um. NO!
Pesto sounds amazing with shrimp, why haven't I thought of it before? Definitely going to try these!
Favorite meal of all time.
The colours are so alive in this dish. Everything looks so healthy, and the shrimp plump and juicy! Mmmm...A fun Sunday it is!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Your lemon pesto looks fantastic. I can make it with Meyer Lemons from my tree. The combinations of flavor in this dish are brilliant! Thank you
Looks so delicious! Yum yum yum 🙂
I love your blog, your recipes are fantastic!!
Bobbi, my favourite lettuce is iceberg for the crunch and I love using parsley in my cooking. Sadly my last planting was not a success.