Succulent Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Juicy Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe: Sweet & Savory Seafood Magic

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this honey garlic shrimp recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

Tender shrimp dance with a glossy, aromatic sauce that guarantees instant flavor love.

Sweet honey blends seamlessly with robust garlic notes, creating an irresistible combination.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of savory and sweet sensations.

The recipe comes together faster than you can order takeout, making it a perfect go-to meal for busy evenings.

Minimal ingredients and quick cooking time ensure you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delectable meal.

Prepare to savor every mouthwatering moment of this restaurant-worthy dish that will become your new dinner favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 4

All the Ingredients for Honey Garlic Shrimp

For Sauce Base:
  • Honey: Brings sweet depth and helps create a glossy coating for the shrimp.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds rich umami flavor and helps balance the sweetness of honey.
  • Lemon Juice: Provides bright acidity to cut through the richness.
For Aromatics:
  • Garlic: Offers pungent depth and classic savory undertone to the dish.
  • Ginger: Introduces warm, slightly spicy notes that complement seafood perfectly.
For Cooking and Finishing:
  • Shrimp: Select fresh, firm, and deveined for best texture and easiest preparation.
  • Butter: Creates rich, silky base and helps prevent sticking in the pan.
  • Cooking Oil: Ensures even heat distribution and prevents burning.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhance natural flavors of shrimp and balance overall seasoning.
  • Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent that creates glossy, restaurant-style sauce finish.
For Garnish:
  • Green Onions: Add fresh, sharp crunch and bright color.
  • Sesame Seeds: Provide nutty crunch and visual appeal to the final dish.

Kitchen Tools That Make Shrimp Easy to Handle

  • Large skillet: Essential for cooking shrimp and creating the honey garlic sauce.
  • Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together sauce ingredients.
  • Whisk: Helps blend sauce components smoothly.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: Used for mincing garlic and chopping green onions.
  • Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate sauce ingredient proportions.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring shrimp and mixing sauce in the skillet.

How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp in Minutes

  • Whip Up the Magic Sauce

Blend honey, soy sauce, crushed garlic, tangy lemon juice, and zesty ginger in a small bowl until smooth and inviting.

  • Sizzle the Seafood

Fire up a skillet with a splash of oil and a knob of butter over medium-high heat. Toss in succulent shrimp, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until they blush pink, about 1-2 minutes per side.

  • Coat and Caramelize

Pour the vibrant sauce over the shrimp, stirring to ensure every morsel gets a delicious coating. Let it bubble and simmer, transforming into a glossy glaze that clings to the shrimp.

  • Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the glistening shrimp. Serve immediately alongside fluffy rice, slurpable noodles, or crisp steamed vegetables for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

New Takes on Classic Honey Garlic Shrimp

  • Double the sauce recipe and save half for drizzling over finished dish, intensifying flavor without extra work.
  • Replace shrimp with scallops or white fish for an equally delicious protein alternative that maintains similar cooking times.
  • Skip rice and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake while keeping meal exciting and nutritious.
  • Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to sauce for a kick of heat that complements the sweet and savory honey garlic profile.
  • Marinate raw shrimp in sauce beforehand for deeper flavor absorption, then quickly cook when ready to serve for a faster weeknight dinner solution.

Serving Honey Garlic Shrimp with Balance

  • Zesty Plate Companion: Serve over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious honey garlic sauce, creating a perfect flavor balance.
  • Veggie Power-Up: Pair with roasted broccoli or stir-fried asparagus for a nutritious side that complements the shrimp's sweet and savory profile.
  • Carb Lovers' Dream: Toss the shrimp with thin rice noodles or angel hair pasta to create a light, restaurant-style meal that's easy to prepare at home.
  • Garnish Explosion: Sprinkle extra green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a quick squeeze of fresh lime for added brightness and texture that elevates the entire dish.

Honey Garlic Shrimp: Keep It Fresh After Cooking

  • Store leftover honey garlic shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture.
  • Warm gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent overcooking. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Keep sauce and shrimp separate when storing to prevent soggy textures. Mix just before reheating for best results.
  • Not recommended for this recipe due to shrimp's delicate texture. Fresh preparation guarantees the most delicious dining experience.
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Succulent Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Succulent Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent honey garlic shrimp delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that dance on your palate. Graceful Asian-inspired cuisine emerges with tender shrimp glazed in a rich, glossy sauce that will satisfy anyone craving an elegant seafood experience.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 500 g (1 lb) shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail on or off)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauce Preparation: Combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and grated ginger in a small bowl, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
  2. Shrimp Searing: Warm oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce seasoned shrimp, cooking quickly for 1-2 minutes per side until they transform to a delicate pink hue.
  3. Flavor Infusion: Stream the prepared honey garlic sauce into the skillet, thoroughly coating the shrimp. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to reduce and caramelize, creating a glossy glaze that envelops the seafood.
  4. Final Refinement: For a more viscous sauce, incorporate a cornstarch slurry, continuing to cook until the mixture reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency with a beautiful sheen.
  5. Presentation: Elevate the dish by scattering chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately atop fluffy rice, tender noodles, or alongside steamed garden vegetables for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

  • Watch carefully and cook just until pink to maintain tender, juicy texture – overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough.
  • Use medium-high heat to quickly sear shrimp without burning garlic, which turns bitter when scorched.
  • Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to achieve desired sauce thickness without making it too gloopy or starchy.
  • Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free version, and use alternative sweeteners like maple syrup for different flavor profiles.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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