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Some nights, cooking feels like a joy. Other nights, it feels like a responsibility you didn’t sign up for. I’ve been cooking long enough — and blogging about food long enough — to know the difference. This honey garlic shrimp lives squarely in the second category, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
This is the dinner I make when I’m tired but still want something that tastes like I cared. When I’ve answered one too many emails, the kitchen is already a little messy, and I’m not interested in a recipe that tells me to “build layers of flavor” over the next hour. I want food. Quickly. Preferably with garlic.
Shrimp has always been my quiet ally on nights like that. It doesn’t need much coaxing. It cooks faster than almost anything else in the fridge. And when you pair it with honey and soy sauce — that sweet-savory combination that somehow never gets old — you end up with something that feels comforting without being heavy.
This dish isn’t fancy. It’s not trying to impress anyone. But it is the kind of meal where people keep eating even after they’re full, mostly because the sauce keeps whispering, “Just one more bite.”
Why You’ll Love This (Even on a Bad Day)
I don’t make grand promises about recipes anymore. But I can say this with confidence:
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It’s fast. Truly fast. Not “fast if you’re already organized.” Just fast.
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It tastes bigger than it is. Sweet, salty, garlicky — the balance works.
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It’s light but satisfying. You don’t feel weighed down afterward.
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It’s flexible. Rice, noodles, vegetables, eaten out of a bowl or straight from the pan.
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It doesn’t punish you for substitutions. We all cook with what we have.
This is one of those recipes that slips into your rotation without announcing itself. Suddenly, you’ve made it three times in a month.
Let’s Talk Ingredients (The Real-Life Version)
I’ll keep this practical, because that’s how most of us cook.
Shrimp
Medium or medium-large shrimp are ideal. They cook evenly and stay tender if you’re paying even mild attention. Peeled and deveined saves time and sanity. Fresh shrimp is great if you live near a good fish counter. Frozen shrimp is more than fine — I use it often. Just thaw it completely and pat it dry so the marinade actually sticks.
Honey
This is where the sweetness comes from, and it doesn’t need to be fancy honey. Whatever’s in the squeeze bottle is perfect. Maple syrup works if that’s what you have, and honestly, it’s lovely in its own way.
Soy Sauce
Low-sodium is important here. Regular soy sauce can take over the whole dish, and that’s not what we’re after. If you need gluten-free, tamari or coconut aminos slide right in.
Garlic
Two cloves is the written amount. Three cloves is the emotional amount. Do with that information what you will.
Ginger (Optional)
Fresh ginger adds a little brightness that keeps the sauce from feeling flat. I don’t always use it. When I do, I’m glad I did.
Olive Oil
Just enough to get the shrimp sizzling. Nothing complicated.
Green Onions
Not essential, but they make everything look and taste a little fresher. I use them when I remember.
How This Comes Together (Don’t Overthink It)
Step 1: Make the Marinade
In a bowl — any bowl, really — whisk together:
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2 tablespoons honey
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1/4 cup soy sauce
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Optional: 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
It should smell good. That’s your cue that you’re on the right track.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Put 1 pound of shrimp into a bag or container. Pour half the marinade over the shrimp and toss gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
If you’ve got time and want more flavor, let it sit longer. If you don’t, 15 minutes still does the job.
Save the rest of the marinade. That becomes your sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the shrimp in a single layer.
Let them cook without moving for about 45 seconds. This is how you get a little color.
Flip them, pour in the reserved marinade, and let everything bubble for another minute or so. The shrimp will turn opaque and curl slightly. That’s your sign to stop.
Shrimp goes from perfect to overdone quickly. Trust your eyes more than the clock.
Step 4: Serve
Spoon the shrimp and sauce over rice, noodles, or vegetables. Sprinkle with green onions if you feel like it.
That’s dinner.
What to Serve With It (Based on What’s Actually Around)
Most nights, this goes over brown rice. Sometimes jasmine rice. Occasionally quinoa when I’m feeling responsible.
Noodles are great too — rice noodles, soba, even plain spaghetti if that’s what’s cooked.
For vegetables, I keep it simple. Steamed broccoli. Snap peas. Bell peppers sautéed quickly in the same pan if I’m feeling efficient.
It doesn’t need much. The shrimp does the heavy lifting.
Variations I’ve Actually Made More Than Once
Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp
A pinch of red pepper flakes or a spoonful of sriracha cuts through the sweetness in a really nice way.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Swap the honey for lemon juice and finish with lemon zest. Lighter, brighter, very weeknight-friendly.
Teriyaki-Style Shrimp
Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce and skip the honey. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Comfort food energy.
These aren’t reinventions. They’re small shifts. That’s usually all a good recipe needs.
About Leftovers (Let’s Be Honest)
Storage:
Keeps in the fridge for about two days in an airtight container.
Reheating:
Low heat in a skillet is best. Microwave works, but go slow. Shrimp doesn’t like to be rushed.
Freezing:
I don’t love frozen cooked shrimp, but freezing the shrimp in the marinade before cooking works surprisingly well. Thaw overnight and cook as usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp if that’s what I’ve got?
Yes, absolutely. I do it all the time. Just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before they go into the marinade — excess water dulls the flavor a bit. I’ve rushed this step before and regretted it, so now I slow down for five extra minutes.
I left the shrimp in the marinade longer than planned… is that a problem?
Honestly, not really. Shrimp is pretty forgiving here since the marinade isn’t acidic. I’ve let it sit overnight more than once, and it was still great. If anything, the flavor just runs a little deeper.
My sauce didn’t thicken much — did I do something wrong?
Probably not. This sauce is meant to be more glossy than thick. Sometimes it tightens up more, sometimes less, depending on how hot the pan is and how juicy the shrimp were. If it tastes good, you’re fine.
Can I make this ahead of time for meal prep?
You can, but I’ll be honest — shrimp is always best fresh. That said, I’ve cooked it the night before and reheated it gently the next day without any real issues. Just don’t blast it in the microwave and expect miracles.
The shrimp cooked really fast and I panicked — is that normal?
Very normal. Shrimp cooks in what feels like seconds, especially in a hot pan. I’ve overcooked it before by answering a text, so now I just stay put and watch it closely. Once it turns opaque, it’s done.
Can I skip the ginger? I don’t usually keep it around.
Of course. I skip it plenty of times. The dish is still solid without it — the honey and garlic carry most of the weight anyway. Ginger just adds a little extra sparkle when it’s there.
Is this supposed to be pretty sweet?
It’s sweet, yes, but balanced. If it tastes sweeter than you expected, serving it with plain rice or vegetables usually evens everything out. And if you want it less sweet next time, just pull back a touch on the honey — no big deal.
If you’ve got another question that popped up while you we
One Last Thought Before You Go
This honey garlic shrimp isn’t trying to be impressive. It’s trying to be helpful. It shows up on nights when you’re tired, hungry, and not interested in a big production — and somehow still manages to feel like a real meal.
If you make it, I hope it gives you a little breathing room at the end of the day. And if you tweak it — more garlic, less honey, extra heat — that’s exactly how it should be.
If you’ve got a question, leave it below. And if this recipe saves your dinner one night, I’ll consider that a win.
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.
