- Ready in about 15 minutes yet tastes like a restaurant-quality dish with minimal ingredients.
- Pat shrimp dry and cook on high heat for about 4 minutes to achieve a golden sear.
- Whisk honey, soy sauce, and ginger ahead; sauce reduces quickly and clings as a glossy glaze.
- Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches and stop when shrimp form a “C” for perfect doneness.
- Customize easily with red pepper flakes, pineapple, sesame, or swap soy for coconut aminos.
If you have ever needed a dinner that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together in minutes, then this honey garlic shrimp is your new best friend. Shrimp is the ultimate “fast food” of the sea because it cooks in the blink of an eye. This recipe serves as a brilliant quick weeknight meal for those hectic days, yet it feels special enough to be a festive dish for guests. I have spent years as a chef perfecting the balance between the floral sweetness of honey and the pungent kick of fresh garlic. This honey garlic shrimp is a stellar healthy comfort food option that will have you licking the sauce off the spoon.
Table of contents
Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe Card
Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
3
servings10
minutes5
minutes285
kcalThis honey garlic shrimp features succulent, perfectly seared shrimp tossed in a thick, sticky sauce made from honey, garlic, and ginger.
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Ingredients
1.0 lb Large Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
0.33 cup Honey
0.25 cup Soy Sauce (or tamari)
3.0 cloves Garlic (minced)
1.0 teaspoon Fresh Ginger (grated)
1.0 tablespoon Olive Oil
1.0 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- First, whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl to create your sauce base.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with black pepper, but go easy on the salt since soy sauce is already salty.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp to the hot pan in a single layer. Cook for about 2.0 minutes on one side until they turn pink and slightly opaque.
- Flip the shrimp over and immediately pour the honey mixture over them.
- Let the sauce bubble and reduce for another 2.0 to 3.0 minutes. The sauce should thicken into a glossy glaze that coats the shrimp.
- Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the shrimp are cooked through. Do not let them sit in the boiling sauce too long.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor.
- Serve your honey garlic shrimp immediately over rice or quinoa, garnished with sliced green onions.
Notes
- Frozen Shrimp: If using frozen, thaw them completely in a bowl of cold water before cooking.
- Marinade: You can let the shrimp sit in half of the sauce for 15.0 minutes for deeper flavor.
- Vegetables: Toss in some snap peas or broccoli for a complete one-pan meal.
Nutrition Facts
- Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 24g
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My Smart Prep for a Fast Sizzle
A great honey garlic shrimp moves fast. Once the shrimp hits the oil, you have about 4.0 minutes before it’s done. Follow these prep steps to avoid rushing:
- The Dry Secret: Pat your shrimp with paper towels until they are bone-dry. This ensures a sear rather than a steam.
- Mince the Garlic: I recommend fresh cloves over the jarred version for a sharper, more authentic bite.
- Whisk the Sauce: Mix your honey, soy sauce, and ginger in a small bowl before you start the stove.
- Garnish Ready: Slice your green onions and lemon wedges ahead of time. You will want to serve this the second it leaves the heat.
Why This Sticky Glaze Simply Wins
The beauty of honey garlic shrimp lies in the caramelization process. Unlike watery sauces, this glaze reduces quickly, clinging to the protein like a glossy blanket. The honey provides a natural sugar base that browns beautifully against the heat of the pan.
Customization is incredibly easy with this base. If you prefer a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes transforms it into a spicy-sweet masterpiece. For those with dietary restrictions, swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos to keep it paleo-friendly. To understand more about the nutritional profile of shellfish, remember that shrimp is a low-calorie, high-protein choice. This honey garlic shrimp proves that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to achieve professional-grade depth.
Mastering the Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet
I have taught many home cooks how to master honey garlic shrimp, and these are the rules I live by:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you add too many shrimp at once, the pan temperature drops. Cook in batches if necessary to get that golden-brown edge.
- High Heat is Your Friend: Shrimp need a hot surface to develop flavor quickly without drying out the middle.
- The “C” Shape Rule: Perfectly cooked shrimp should look like a “C.” If they curl tightly into an “O,” they are overcooked and will be rubbery.
- Finish with Fresh Citrus: A squeeze of lemon at the very end cuts through the sweetness and wakes up all the other flavors.
For more technical advice on high-heat sautéing, visit Serious Eats for an in-depth breakdown.
Delicious Ways to Change the Vibe
The Pineapple Tropical Twist
Add 1.0 cup of fresh pineapple chunks to the pan during the last minute of cooking. The fruit juice mingles with the honey garlic shrimp glaze to create a vibrant, Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
The Nutty Sesame Variation
Swap the olive oil for toasted sesame oil and garnish with a generous tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. This gives the honey garlic shrimp an earthy, nutty aroma that pairs perfectly with steamed bok choy.
The Creamy Honey Sriracha Version
Whisk 1.0 tablespoon of Greek yogurt or heavy cream into the sauce right at the end. This results in a velvety, slightly spicy sauce that feels even more indulgent while keeping it a healthy comfort food option.
This dish is the perfect companion to my Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.
FAQs about Honey Garlic Shrimp
I don’t recommend it. Precooked shrimp become rubbery very fast when reheated. Using raw shrimp allows the sauce to caramelize with the protein for better flavor.
The honey will naturally thicken as it reduces. If you want it even thicker, whisk 0.5 teaspoons of cornstarch into the cold sauce before adding it to the pan.
Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice are all excellent. For a lower-carb option, try serving the shrimp over a bed of sautéed zucchini noodles.
Garlic burns easily at high heat. Make sure your garlic is mixed into the honey sauce before adding it to the pan, as the liquid protects the garlic from direct contact with the hot metal.
A Sweet and Savory Farewell
I truly hope this honey garlic shrimp becomes a staple in your kitchen. There is nothing more rewarding than serving a meal that looks like it came from a professional kitchen in under 15.0 minutes. It’s a testament to the power of high-quality ingredients and simple techniques.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like my Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe in Air fryer or my Creamy Coconut Shrimp. Please leave a comment and let me know how your glaze turned out! Happy cooking!
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