About this recipe
This Honey Garlic Shrimp is fast, simple, and perfect for nights when you want dinner without much effort. The shrimp cook quickly in a skillet, then get coated in a sweet, savory garlic sauce that works over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Honey garlic sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp green onions (sliced, optional)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Equipment
Large Skillet
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Tongs
Instructions
- 1
Mix the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
- 2
Season the shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- 3
Cook the shrimp
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through.
- 4
Add the sauce
Pour the honey garlic sauce into the skillet. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp.
- 5
Serve warm
Remove from the heat and top with green onions and sesame seeds if using. Serve over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Tips
- Do not overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook very fast. Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque so they stay juicy.
- Pat shrimp dry: Dry shrimp sear better and help the sauce cling instead of turning watery.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce keeps the sauce balanced because the honey already adds sweetness.
Substitutions
- Use lemon juice: Lemon juice can replace rice vinegar if that is what you have.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes, chili garlic sauce, or a little sriracha to the honey garlic sauce.
- Swap the protein: This sauce also works with chicken bites, salmon pieces, or tofu.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Freezer: Freezing cooked shrimp is possible, but the texture may become softer after thawing. Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in short microwave bursts so the shrimp do not become rubbery.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- Calories
- 245
- Protein
- 25g
- Carbohydrates
- 21g
- Fat
- 7g
- Fiber
- 0g
- Sugar
- 18g
- Sodium
- 760mg
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw the shrimp completely, then pat them very dry before seasoning and cooking.
What should I serve with honey garlic shrimp?
Honey garlic shrimp is great with white rice, brown rice, noodles, steamed broccoli, green beans, or a simple cucumber salad.
Can I make honey garlic shrimp ahead of time?
This recipe is best fresh because shrimp cook quickly and can become firm when reheated, but leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days.
Recipe Card
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Juicy shrimp cooked in a sticky honey garlic sauce for a quick 15-minute dinner.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Category
- Quick Easy Recipes
- Cuisine
- Asian Inspired
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Budget-friendly
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Honey garlic sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp green onions (sliced, optional)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
- Season the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through.
- Add the sauce: Pour the honey garlic sauce into the skillet. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp.
- Serve warm: Remove from the heat and top with green onions and sesame seeds if using. Serve over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
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