This Sweet Potato, Kale and Shrimp Skillet only requires 4 ingredients, and it’s whole30, gluten-free, paleo, and super-easy to make!
Looking for more shrimp recipes? Try these ones too: Garlic Butter Shrimp, Air Fryer Shrimp and Shrimp Fried Rice.
This Sweet Potato, Kale, and Shrimp Skillet is so easy to make for lunchtime or a busy weeknight meal. It takes only a few minutes to be ready on your table. The only thing that takes a little time is for the sweet potatoes to cook.
Since you sauté the kale leaves, you need to keep the heat low to so that they don’t become soggy. I dislike soggy leaves, which is why they look almost raw in the pictures. I just sauté them for about one minute or so, but if you wish, you can sauté them for longer. It is really up to you. Let’s talk a little bit about the shrimp now.
Why did you use a cast iron skillet to make this recipe?
I’m a huge fan of cast iron skillets. If you visit Primavera Kitchen often, you know that I have a variety of cast iron skillet recipes for you to try. I love cooking with cast iron pans because they are very versatile. You can use them for frying, baking, grilling, broiling, braising, and sautéing meats, vegetables, and more! You can make almost everything in them. Isn’t that great? Cast iron is also very resistant and durable. I have had my three cast iron skillets for over 7 years now, and they look absolutely new.
They are also fairly cheap for the quality you get, and they have a precise heat distribution, which makes foods cook evenly and taste delicious. I have two favourite cast iron skillets.
You can see the Le Creuset one in the pictures in this post, and the other one is my Lodge skillet, which I use to make lots of recipes for my family such as Asparagus Sweet Potato Chicken Skillet, Chimichurri Chicken Green Beans Skillet, and Creamy Parmesan Chicken Skillet or any of these 50 Healthy Cast Iron Skillet Recipes or these 15 Healthy Skillet Dinner Recipes.
This Lodge skillet is great because it has a very good price for the quality. I highly recommend this type of skillet, and you can get yours here.
Can I make this Sweet Potato, Kale and Shrimp Skillet with frozen shrimp?
Absolutely, but you need to thaw the shrimp before cooking it. If your shrimp are frozen, place them in a bowl with cold water in the sink, and leave them for about 5 minutes. The shrimp are thawed when they are soft and easily bendable.
Then, rinse, and pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Now, they are ready to cook. It’s such an easy to cook protein! Try my Sweet Potato Green Beans Shrimp Skillet if you want another tasty shrimp recipe.
Why are my shrimp so chewy?
It’s probably because you overcook your shrimp. When shrimp are overcooked, they become tough, rubbery, dry, and chewy. Shrimp cook very quickly. So, as soon as the shrimp turn pink, it’s a sign that they are done. It will only take about 3-5 minutes to cook if the shrimp are medium-sized. If the shrimp are larger, they will take about 6-7 minutes.
5 more shrimp skillet recipes to try:
All these recipes are low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, and whole30.
- Shrimp Vegetable Skillet: This is a great one-pan meal for the entire family. Super-healthy and perfect for a quick dinner or a delicious lunch.
- Chimichurri Shrimp Broccoli Skillet: This recipe is another quick-and-easy, one-pan meal for your busy weeknight dinners. It’s ready in less than 15 minutes and super-flavourful.
- Garlic Shrimp Asparagus Skillet: Perfect for a busy weeknight since this one-pan meal will be ready in 20 minutes or so.
- Creamy Parmesan Shrimp Skillet: This recipe is full of so many flavours that you’ll think you are eating a gourmet meal!
- Shrimp, Bell Pepper and Onions Skillet: I love this recipe because even if you don’t have bell peppers or onions, you can still make this recipe with other veggies of your choice.
For more quick and healthy lunch or dinner recipes, please visit my lunch time and what’s for dinner Pinterest boards!
I hope I inspired you to create a delicious healthy lunch dish in your own kitchen today.
As a memory, I kept the original photo from 2014!
Sweet Potato, Kale and Shrimp Skillet
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or ghee
- ½ cup onions diced
- pinch crushed red pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups sweet potatoes diced
- 2 cups shrimp peeled, deveined, and thawed if frozen
- 3 cups trimmed and coarsely chopped kale leaves
- salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions and crushed red pepper.
- Cook until the onions are soft and golden.
- Add the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the sweet potatoes, and cook until soft. Add a few tablespoons or ¼ cup of water to help steam the sweet potatoes, if necessary.*
- Add the shrimp, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink.**
- Turn the heat to low, and add the kale, stirring until wilted.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Tips
- Don't add more than a ¼ cup of water to cook the sweet potatoes because they may become soggy. Also, cover the skillet with a lid for about 2 minutes. It helps cook the sweet potato faster.
- If I'm using more than 2 cups of shrimp, I cook the shrimp first and set them aside to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
- Here is a complete list of shrimp recipes for you to try. They are healthy, easy-to-make, and also great as leftovers.
- If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a large non-stick skillet instead.
- To store: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: You can microwave leftovers or reheat on the stovetop.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
If you like this Sweet Potato, Kale and Shrimp Skillet recipe, please share it with your friends and family. Do you want to taste more? Subscribe to my newsletter, and follow Primavera Kitchen on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for all delicious recipe updates. As always, I really appreciate you stopping by.
Annie @Maebells says
What a wonderful, healthy, weeknight meal! I would have never thought to pair shrimp with kale and sweet potatoes but it sounds amazing!
Olivia says
Thanks a lot, Annie!
Julia says
YES! If I was offered a drink every time I walked into someone’s house, I would be forever happy. We folk in the U.S. need to adopt this custom ASAP – it’s really a per-household thing here. Not enough drinkers in this country 😉
This skillet is right up my alley! How about a nice glass of white wine plus some sweet tater kale shrimp din din? LOVE it! 🙂
Olivia says
ahahhahah… Love your comment 😉 I am with you a nice glass of white wine is a great idea!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
What a great way to use kale!
I am sold on anything that has sweet potato in it.
Olivia says
Me too 😉 Thanks for stopping by 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This skillet sounds amazing, Olivia! I hope your guests love it! And what a great way to sneak in some kale, too.
Olivia says
They really enjoyed it 😉 Thanks
Kelly says
This looks amazing Olivia! I am such a big fan of kale and sweet potato and this sounds like such a flavorful and healthy meal! Hope your guests love it 🙂
Olivia says
It was very flavourful, Kelly! They really enjoy this dish. Thanks for stopping by 😉
Allison says
Oh I love learning about worldwide food traditions! It’s definitely customary in Canada to offer a drink! LOL. And this recipe looks insanely delicious. Kale and sweet potatoes together are my favourite veggie combo. They compliment each other perfectly and they’re visually so pretty together. Delish!
Olivia says
I love this Canadian habit 🙂 It was very delicious. I am glad you like it 😉
Brittney says
This looks seriously amazing!
Olivia says
Thanks!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
This dish looks so delicious! I love the combination and the colors are beautiful.
My family is the same. Always offering food. My mom is constantly trying to feed my husband. We are definitely a food-centric culture 😀
Olivia says
We are 😉 Glad you stopped by 😉
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
What a totally gorgeous skillet! LOVE the combo of sweet potato and kale. I’ll bet your guests LOVED it. 🙂 Gorgeous photos per the usual girl! 😀
Olivia says
I love this combo too, Sarah 😉 They loved this dish. Thanks a lot for stopping by 😉
Arpita@ TheGastronomicBong says
Olivia!! This is just incredible!! I absolutely adore prawns.. & kale , sweet potato and prawns combination is just mind blowing.. Love it!!
Olivia says
Thanks a lot, Arpita!