Quick, sticky-sweet, and absolutely packed with flavor, Honey-Garlic Shrimp is the dinner hero you can pull off on the busiest of weeknights. Juicy shrimp get tossed in the ultimate honey, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce marinade, seared hot and fast, then finished with a glossy glaze and loads of fresh green onion. Every bite sings with sweet, savory, and just a touch of umami magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & Savory Harmony: The combination of honey and garlic delivers an irresistible, sticky sauce that clings to juicy shrimp.
- Lightning-Fast Dinner: From marinade to table, Honey-Garlic Shrimp comes together in under 45 minutes—most of it hands-off time!
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: Even picky eaters fall for the tangy, garlicky glaze, making this a guaranteed family favorite.
- Easy, Flexible, Foolproof: Minimal ingredients, foolproof steps, and tons of room for delicious tweaks make this recipe a forever keeper.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Honey-Garlic Shrimp plays a starring role, from the juicy seafood to the punchy aromatics. These basics come together to build maximum flavor with the least amount of effort—you truly don’t need anything extra!
- Large raw shrimp (16-20 count): Make sure they’re peeled and deveined for convenience—the bigger size means juicier bites and more satisfying texture.
- Fresh garlic, minced: This is the backbone of the dish’s bold, savory flavor, so don’t be shy!
- Mild-flavored honey: Choose a light honey to let the other flavors shine and give the marinade a glossy sweetness.
- Freshly grated ginger: Just half a teaspoon brightens the whole dish and keeps the garlic from overpowering things.
- Soy sauce: Adds that essential salty, umami complexity to balance all the sweetness.
- Asian fish sauce: A dab of this is the “secret ingredient” that turns up the savory depth—start with a teaspoon and add more to taste.
- Vegetable oil: Just enough to keep the shrimp from sticking and give a beautiful sear without imparting any competing flavors.
- Green onion, sliced: Lively, fresh, and mild—an easy pop of color and flavor for garnishing at the very end.
Variations
Honey-Garlic Shrimp is endlessly adaptable—feel free to play with the flavors, tweak for dietary needs, or simply use what’s already hanging out in your kitchen. Customizing this dish is half the fun!
- Spicy Kick: Stir in a teaspoon of sriracha or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a little extra heat.
- Citrus Twist: Add the zest of one lime or a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten things up and complement the honey.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the shrimp for cubes of firm tofu or use a plant-based fish sauce alternative—just marinate and sear as directed.
- Low-Sodium: Choose a reduced-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos to keep things lighter on salt without sacrificing big flavor.
How to Make Honey-Garlic Shrimp
Step 1: Prep & Marinade the Shrimp
Begin by making sure your shrimp are fully thawed, peeled, and deveined, then pat them dry to help them soak up maximum flavor. In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, honey, ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce to form the marinade—don’t skip the whisking, as it helps the honey blend in smoothly!
Step 2: Marinate for Maximum Flavor
Add the shrimp to the marinade and toss thoroughly; a rubber spatula works great for getting every piece evenly coated. Cover the bowl and let the shrimp marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (and up to an hour). If you have time, give them a stir halfway through to keep everything mingling nicely.
Step 3: Sear and Glaze
When you’re ready to cook, brush a large nonstick skillet with vegetable oil and preheat over high heat until it’s just barely smoking—you want it screaming hot! Use tongs to lay the shrimp in a single layer, leaving the extra marinade behind for now. Sear for 2 minutes until pink and just turning golden on the bottom.
Step 4: Finish With Sauce and Garnish
Flip the shrimp over, pour the reserved marinade right into the skillet, and cook for just one more minute. Turn off the heat and let the shrimp sit in the pan for another minute. The residual heat creates a gorgeous, syrupy glaze that coats each shrimp perfectly. Pile onto a serving plate and sprinkle generously with green onion.
Pro Tips for Making Honey-Garlic Shrimp
- Get the Pan Super Hot: Searing shrimp at high heat guarantees a caramelized glaze and keeps them tender, never rubbery.
- Don’t Over-Marinate: Thirty minutes is plenty—more than an hour in the marinade and your shrimp could get mushy.
- Use Fresh Ginger: While ground ginger works in a pinch, freshly grated ginger adds unbeatable zing and aroma to the sauce.
- Finish Off-Heat: Letting the shrimp and sauce rest in the hot pan gives you the silkiest, most flavorful glaze without risking overcooking.
How to Serve Honey-Garlic Shrimp
Garnishes
Top your Honey-Garlic Shrimp with a mountain of sliced green onions for a crisp, peppery finish. If you love a little extra crunch or color, try adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or finely chopped fresh cilantro—both add beautiful contrast without upstaging the main event.
Side Dishes
Serve Honey-Garlic Shrimp over fluffy jasmine rice, coconut rice, or thin rice noodles to soak up all the glossy sauce. It’s also wonderful with a crisp, quick broccoli stir-fry, steamed snap peas, or an Asian-style cucumber salad for brightness and crunch on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Try threading the cooked shrimp onto skewers for easy party appetizers, or pile atop a vibrant Asian slaw for a showstopping dinner salad. For a fun taco night twist, tuck honey-garlic shrimp into warm tortillas with crunchy cabbage and a splash of sriracha mayo.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let leftover Honey-Garlic Shrimp cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The glaze keeps the shrimp juicy, so they make a tasty lunch or salad topper the next day.
Freezing
For the best texture, freeze only the uncooked, marinated shrimp—sealed tightly for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as directed. Cooked shrimp can be frozen, but may lose some juiciness when reheated.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm shrimp and glaze in a skillet over low heat just until hot—avoid microwaving, which can make shrimp rubbery. Splash a tiny bit of water or soy sauce into the pan if the glaze seems too thick.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and well-drained before marinating—excess water can thin the glaze and prevent proper searing.
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Do I have to use fish sauce?
Fish sauce adds authentic savory depth, but you can skip it or use an extra splash of soy sauce if preferred. For a vegetarian alternative, try mushroom soy sauce or coconut aminos.
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What size shrimp should I buy for honey-garlic shrimp?
Large (16-20 count) shrimp deliver the best texture and absorb plenty of marinade. If using smaller shrimp, reduce the sear time so they don’t overcook.
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Can I double or triple this recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! Marinate in batches if needed, and cook shrimp in a couple of batches to avoid crowding the pan—this ensures every piece gets that perfect glaze and sear.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dinner that’s both low-effort and restaurant-caliber, Honey-Garlic Shrimp delivers every single time. Gather your ingredients, get that skillet sizzling, and treat yourself to a dish that puts big, bold flavor on your table in under an hour. Can’t wait to hear how yours turns out—dig in and enjoy every sticky-sweet bite!
Print
Honey-Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This recipe for Honey-Garlic Shrimp is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines sweet and savory flavors to create a mouthwatering meal.
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1 pound large raw shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 2 tablespoons mild-flavored honey
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Asian fish sauce, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup thinly sliced green onion, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: Ensure the shrimp are fully thawed and well drained. Keep them refrigerated while preparing the marinade.
- Make Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together garlic, honey, ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
- Marinate Shrimp: Toss the shrimp in the marinade, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes, tossing occasionally.
- Cook Shrimp: Brush a large nonstick skillet with oil and heat over high heat. Transfer the shrimp into the skillet in a single layer. Sear for 2 minutes, then flip and add the reserved marinade. Cook for an additional minute, then turn off the heat and let the shrimp sit for 1 minute.
- Serve: Garnish the shrimp with sliced green onions before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 300mg
