This honey garlic shrimp recipe is a simple, healthy dinner with tons of flavor and almost no effort. Sweet and savory, that marinade fills the shrimp with flavor, and a quick sear in a hot skillet unites it all in just a few minutes. Serve over brown rice with steamed vegetables on the side for an balanced meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Top with fresh green onions for surface and freshness. This amazing dish can be enjoyed in under 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Quick and simple: Take only 20 minutes to make so great for busy nights.
Low-Calorie: Shrimp is low in calories and high in protein, while honey contributes natural sweetness.
Flexible: Serve with rice noodles or steamed vegetables for a full meal.
Key Ingredients:
Shrimp: I use med/shrimp shrimp, peeled and deveined so they cook quickly and are easy to eat. Frozen shrimp will work in a pinch if fresh isn’t to be found — just make sure it’s thawed all the way through when you marinate.
Honey: Adds sweetness to offset the salty notes of soy sauce. Honey can be substituted with maple syrup if desired.
Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep the flavor without too much salt. To make it gluten-free replace with tamari or coconut aminos.
Fresh Garlic: Lends a lovely aromatic layer to the dish. (If you are particularly fond of garlic, feel free to add an extra clove!)
Ginger (Optional): Fresh ginger adds a lovely zing that balances out the sweetness of the honey. If you can’t find fresh ginger, use about 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
Purpose: A drizzle of olive oil is ideal for cooking shrimp, imparting a lighter, healthier fat.
Green Onion (Optional): Gives both a fresh, mild onion flavor, plus a pop of color.
The recipe card below contains full ingredient measurements and detailed preparation steps.
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Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, lightly combine and whisk together:
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
(OPTIONAL) 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
It’s the perfect balance of sweet and saline to put into shrimp.”
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Put 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined) into a large resealable plastic bag or Tupperware container.
Sprinkle half of the mixture over the shrimp; remix to coat, seal bag/container.
Gently shake or stir to coat the shrimp.
Cover and refrigerate the shrimp to marinate for at least 15 minutes. For a bolder flavor, let it marinate for 8-12 hours.
Set aside the rest of the marinade for cooking.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil until hot.
Prop the marinated shrimp into the skillet, pouring out the used-up marinade.
Cook on one side, without turning, for 45 seconds, until shrimp are just beginning to pink.
Flip the shrimp, then pour in the reserved marinade.
Cook 1 minute longer, or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
Step 4: Serve
Transfer shrimp to a serving platter, spooning any of the cooked marinade sauce that remains in your pan over the top.
Top with chopped green onion if you like.
Serve with brown rice and steamed veggies to soak up the yummy sauce.
Serving Suggestions:
Rice or Quinoa: Serve over brown rice, jasmine rice, or fluffy quinoa that will soak up the tasty sauce.
Noodles: This shrimp is lovely with noodles, whether it’s rice noodles, soba or even linguine.
Vegetables: Pair it with steamed broccoli, snap peas or sautéed bell peppers for a bright, healthful plate.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Storage: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat slowly in a skillet on low heat to keep the shrimp from overcooking, or microwave in short bursts.
Freezing: This dish is best made right before you eat, but can be frozen: The shrimp (uncooked) can soak in the marinade and then be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost in refrigerator, then cook as directed.
Variations:
Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp
A hit of crushed red pepper or a splash of sriracha swirled into the marinade provides a spicy hit to cut sweetness.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
For a zesty zing, swap the honey for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Finishing it with a bit of lemon zest for an added touch of citrus.
Teriyaki-Style Shrimp
Substitute 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce for soy sauce, and omit the honey for a similar sweet-savory profile. Top with sesame seeds for the complete teriyaki moves.
Conclusion:
In 20 minutes you can have restaurant-quality flavors on your table with this Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe! It’s a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and a little tang, which is sure to please family and friends. Serve it alongside with your favorite sides and enjoy this quick, healthy and tasty 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.