This honey garlic shrimp recipe is a quick, healthy dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The sweet and savory marinade infuses the shrimp with a delightful taste, while a brief sear in a hot skillet brings everything together in just minutes. Serve over brown rice with a side of steamed vegetables for a balanced meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Garnish with fresh green onions for added color and freshness. Enjoy this delicious dish in just 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Fast and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Healthy and Nutritious: Shrimp is low in calories and high in protein, while honey provides natural sweetness.
Versatile: Serve it with rice, noodles, or steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Key Ingredients:
Shrimp: Medium, peeled, and deveined shrimp cook quickly and are easy to eat. Frozen shrimp are great if fresh is unavailable—just thaw before marinating.
Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness to balance the savory soy sauce. Maple syrup is a good alternative if you prefer a different sweetener.
Soy Sauce: Reduced-sodium soy sauce keeps this dish flavorful without too much salt. For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds aromatic depth, enhancing the overall flavor. If you love garlic, feel free to add an extra clove!
Ginger (Optional): Fresh ginger brings a slight zing that complements the sweetness of the honey. Use ground ginger if fresh isn’t available (about 1/4 teaspoon).
Olive Oil: A small amount of olive oil is used for cooking the shrimp, adding a light, healthy fat.
Green Onion (Optional): Chopped green onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
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Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
This marinade provides a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors to infuse the shrimp.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Place 1 pound of shrimp (peeled and deveined) in a large resealable plastic bag or a Tupperware container.
Pour half of the marinade mixture over the shrimp, then seal the bag or container.
Shake or stir gently to coat the shrimp evenly.
Marinate the shrimp in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. For a more intense flavor, you can marinate it for up to 8-12 hours.
Reserve the remaining marinade to use during cooking.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
Add the marinated shrimp to the skillet, discarding the used marinade.
Cook the shrimp on one side for about 45 seconds until they start to turn pink.
Flip the shrimp over, then pour in the reserved marinade.
Continue cooking for another 1 minute, or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
Step 4: Serve
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving dish and drizzle any remaining cooked marinade sauce over them.
Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
This dish pairs well with brown rice and steamed vegetables to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Serving Suggestions:
Rice or Quinoa: Serve with brown rice, jasmine rice, or fluffy quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce.
Noodles: This shrimp is fantastic with noodles, such as rice noodles, soba, or even linguine.
Vegetables: Pair with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or sautéed bell peppers for a vibrant and nutritious plate.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp, or microwave in short intervals.
Freezing: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the shrimp (before cooking) in the marinade for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking as directed.
Variations:
Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the marinade for a spicy kick that balances the sweetness.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Swap out the honey for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for a tangy twist. Add a bit of lemon zest for extra citrus flavor.
Teriyaki-Style Shrimp
Use 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce in place of soy sauce, and skip the honey for a similar sweet-savory flavor. Garnish with sesame seeds for a true teriyaki touch.
Conclusion:
This Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe is an easy way to bring restaurant-quality flavors to your table in just 20 minutes. With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors, it’s bound to be a hit with family and friends. Pair it with your favorite sides and enjoy this quick, nutritious, and delicious meal!
20-Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce reduced sodium
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger optional, minced
- 1 lb medium shrimp uncooked, peeled and deveined
- 2 tsp olive oil
- green onion chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and optional fresh ginger.
- Place shrimp in a resealable plastic bag or container. Pour half of the marinade over the shrimp, seal, and gently shake to coat evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, reserving remaining marinade.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet, discarding used marinade. Cook shrimp on one side for 45 seconds until pink. Flip, then pour in reserved marinade, cooking for another 1 minute until shrimp are opaque.
- Transfer shrimp to a serving dish and drizzle with remaining sauce from skillet. Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.