Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe: A 15-Minute Weeknight Delight

Name: Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe: A 15-Minute Weeknight Delight
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp butter; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tsp freshly grated ginger (optional); 1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tsp water)

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Craving a delicious, better-than-takeout meal that’s ready in a flash? Look no further. This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is your new go-to for a busy weeknight. Imagine succulent, juicy shrimp coated in an irresistibly sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. It’s a flavor explosion that takes only 15 minutes from skillet to plate. This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s incredibly simple and uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand.

We designed this recipe to deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. The simple sauce, a perfect balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and pungent garlic, caramelizes beautifully, creating a glaze that clings to every shrimp. It’s the kind of dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Ready to transform your dinner routine? Let’s get cooking!

Why This is the Best Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its simplicity and incredible taste. It’s the perfect solution for getting a gourmet-quality meal on the table fast.

Unbelievably Fast: From start to finish, this entire dish is ready in just 15 minutes. It’s the ultimate time-saver for hectic evenings.
Simple Ingredients: This recipe relies on common pantry staples, meaning you can whip it up without a special trip to the grocery store.
Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The sauce hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, garlicky, and rich. It’s a classic combination that never disappoints.
Versatile and Customizable: Serve it over rice, noodles, or with your favorite steamed vegetables. You can easily adjust the spice level to your liking. Find more inspiration with our Grilled Shrimp Bowl for another great idea.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this honey garlic shrimp stir fry comes from its simple, yet powerful, combination of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece.

A plated serving of the easy honey garlic shrimp recipe over a bed of white rice, garnished with chopped green onions. A fork is ready to dig in. — Serve your honey garlic shrimp over fluffy rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

For the Shrimp:

Large Shrimp: 1 pound, peeled and deveined. Using large or jumbo shrimp ensures they stay plump and juicy.
Olive Oil & Butter: 1 tablespoon of each for a rich flavor and perfect sear.
Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the shrimp.

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

Honey: 1/3 cup for that signature sweetness and glaze.
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup for savory depth. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
Garlic: 4 cloves, freshly minced. This is the heart of the recipe, so don’t be shy!
Ginger: 1 teaspoon, freshly grated (optional, but highly recommended for a touch of warmth).
Cornstarch: 1 teaspoon mixed with 2 teaspoons of water to create a slurry for thickening the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Honey Garlic Shrimp every single time. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set this aside. In a separate tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create your slurry.
Cook the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and just opaque. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Combine and Thicken: Reduce the heat to low and pour the honey garlic sauce over the shrimp. Stir to coat everything well. Let it bubble for about 30 seconds. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook and stir for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened to a beautiful, glossy glaze.

A close-up shot of honey garlic shrimp being tossed in a black skillet. The sauce is bubbling and creating a thick, sticky glaze on the juicy shrimp. — The simple honey garlic sauce caramelizes into a perfect glaze in minutes.

Expert Tips for Success

Want to make your honey garlic shrimp truly spectacular? Here are a few pro tips to elevate your dish.

Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly! The key to tender shrimp is to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking will make them tough.
Use Fresh Garlic and Ginger: For the most vibrant flavor, always use freshly minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. The jarred varieties simply don’t compare.
Pat the Shrimp Dry: Before seasoning, make sure your shrimp are completely dry. This helps them get a nice sear in the pan instead of just steaming.
Control the Heat: When you add the sauce, especially the honey, lower the heat to prevent it from burning. The sugars in the honey can scorch quickly.

Variations and Add-ins

While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it! Add some red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick, or stir in steamed broccoli or snap peas during the last minute of cooking for a complete one-pan meal. For a different flavor profile, check out our Creamy Coconut Garlic Shrimp.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Shrimp

This versatile dish pairs well with a variety of sides. For a classic meal, serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. It’s also excellent with quinoa, rice noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. For a side of greens, try it with Crispy Roasted Cauliflower or simple steamed broccoli.

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftover honey garlic shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat until just warmed through. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the shrimp rubbery. You can add a splash of water to the pan to loosen the sauce if needed.

FAQs About This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely before you start. You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or, for a quicker method, place them in a colander under cold running water for a few minutes.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat gently in a skillet over low heat until just warmed through. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the shrimp rubbery.

How do you know when shrimp is cooked?

Shrimp cooks very quickly. You’ll know it’s done when it turns pink and opaque and curls into a ‘C’ shape. An overcooked shrimp will curl into a tight ‘O’ and be tough.

Is honey garlic shrimp healthy?

This recipe can certainly be part of a healthy diet. Shrimp is a great source of lean protein. To keep it on the healthier side, use low-sodium soy sauce and serve it with plenty of vegetables and a whole grain like brown rice or quinoa.

What can I serve with honey garlic shrimp?

This dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs perfectly with fluffy rice, quinoa, or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. For vegetable sides, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a fresh green salad are all excellent choices.

The Perfect Weeknight Dinner Solution

This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is a true game-changer for anyone seeking a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal. Its perfect blend of sweet and savory is sure to make it a new family favorite. We hope you love making it as much as we do. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

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