The sweet and savory glaze of this honey garlic shrimp is irresistible. Seared to perfection and tossed in a fragrant mixture of honey, soy, garlic, and ginger, each bite is bursting with flavor. It’s an incredibly quick and satisfying dinner option, especially when served over fluffy jasmine rice or crisp steamed veggies. This dish is a weeknight hero, ready in just 20 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, it delivers restaurant-quality taste without the hassle. The sticky glaze, tender shrimp, and aromatic seasonings will have everyone asking for seconds!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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3 tablespoons honey
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3 tablespoons soy sauce
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1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker sauce)
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1 tablespoon water (for cornstarch slurry)
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2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
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Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
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Cooked jasmine rice or steamed vegetables for serving
Directions:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Set aside.
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Heat olive oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1–2 minutes on each side, until pink and slightly golden.
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Pour the honey garlic sauce over the shrimp. Stir to coat. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
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If a thicker sauce is desired, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to the pan. Stir until the sauce thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
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Remove from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
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Serve immediately over rice or steamed vegetables.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 280 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Ultimate Honey Garlic Shrimp: Sweet, Savory, and Irresistible
If you’re searching for a delicious and easy-to-make seafood recipe that combines both sweetness and savory flavors, honey garlic shrimp should be at the top of your list. This dish is a perfect weeknight meal, offering a mouthwatering combination of juicy shrimp, a sticky honey glaze, and a punch of garlic and ginger. The flavors come together effortlessly, creating an unforgettable dish that’s guaranteed to impress your guests or satisfy your own cravings.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into everything you need to know about honey garlic shrimp: why it’s such a beloved dish, tips for cooking it perfectly, and why it deserves a spot in your weekly dinner rotation.
Why Honey Garlic Shrimp Is a Game-Changer
The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory
One of the primary reasons honey garlic shrimp is so beloved is its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The sweetness of the honey plays wonderfully with the umami from the soy sauce, while garlic adds its signature aromatic depth. This flavor profile is both comforting and exciting, making it easy to understand why honey garlic shrimp has become a popular choice for home cooks and restaurant menus alike.
What’s more, the sticky sauce that coats each shrimp creates a satisfying texture that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re serving it over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables, the glaze clings to each bite, making every mouthful a flavor explosion.
Quick and Easy to Prepare
Busy weeknights often call for quick and easy meals that require minimal effort but still pack a punch in terms of flavor. Honey garlic shrimp delivers just that. It only takes around 20 minutes to prepare, which means you can whip it up even on the busiest of days. The combination of pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, and garlic means there’s a good chance you already have everything you need in your kitchen.
Moreover, the fact that this dish requires just one skillet to cook makes cleanup a breeze. You can quickly get your dinner on the table without the stress of complicated techniques or messy kitchen counters.
Versatility: Serve It Your Way
Honey garlic shrimp is incredibly versatile when it comes to pairing it with other ingredients. While it’s often served with rice or noodles, you can also enjoy it over a bed of greens or with roasted vegetables. If you want to add more depth to the dish, consider adding some sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli to the skillet. The shrimp will absorb the flavors of whatever vegetables you choose, making the dish even more nutritious.
For those on low-carb or keto diets, serving honey garlic shrimp over cauliflower rice is a great alternative. Similarly, this dish works wonderfully in a stir-fry, paired with your favorite Asian vegetables, or even served as a topping for crispy wontons.
The Best Shrimp for This Dish
Size and Quality Matters
The shrimp you choose can make or break this recipe. For the best results, opt for large, fresh shrimp preferably wild-caught. Large shrimp tend to have a more tender, juicy texture compared to smaller shrimp. You want to ensure that the shrimp stay moist and flavorful as they cook in the sauce.
Frozen shrimp can also be used, but it’s important to thaw them properly before cooking. Simply place the shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes until they are fully thawed, or leave them in the refrigerator overnight. Never thaw shrimp in hot water, as it can result in an uneven texture.
When selecting shrimp, make sure they’re peeled and deveined to save you time in the kitchen. You can also leave the tails on for a more visually appealing presentation, but it’s not necessary for flavor.
Don’t Overcook Your Shrimp
One of the common mistakes when cooking shrimp is overcooking them. Shrimp cooks incredibly quickly, so you need to keep an eye on them to avoid tough, rubbery shrimp. The moment the shrimp turn pink and curl into a “C” shape, they’re done. Overcooking can happen fast, so once the shrimp are cooked through, remove them from the heat to avoid losing that tender texture.
Elevating the Flavor: Additions and Variations
While the classic honey garlic sauce is perfect on its own, there are several ways to take your dish to the next level. Consider experimenting with the following variations:
Add Heat with Chili Flakes
If you enjoy a little heat in your dishes, consider adding red chili flakes or fresh chopped chilies to the sauce. The heat will cut through the sweetness of the honey, creating a balance of flavors that will wake up your taste buds.
Add Fresh Herbs for Extra Freshness
Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or parsley can add a pop of freshness to this dish. You can stir them into the sauce at the end of cooking, or sprinkle them on top of the shrimp just before serving for a burst of flavor and color.
Ginger and Lime: A Refreshing Twist
For an added zing, you can incorporate freshly grated ginger into the sauce, which will complement the garlic and honey beautifully. Adding a squeeze of lime juice just before serving will give the dish an extra burst of freshness that brightens up the overall flavor.
Make It Saucy with Coconut Milk
For a creamy twist, add a splash of coconut milk to the sauce. This will give the honey garlic shrimp a richer, more indulgent flavor while still maintaining that signature sweet-savory profile. The coconut milk will also pair beautifully with the shrimp and provide a smoother, velvety texture to the glaze.
Serving Suggestions for Honey Garlic Shrimp
Over Rice
The most common way to serve honey garlic shrimp is over a bed of fluffy white or jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the sticky glaze, making each bite an absolute delight. If you’re looking to reduce carbs, cauliflower rice or quinoa also work well as a base for this dish.
On Noodles
For a more filling meal, serve the shrimp over a bed of cooked noodles. Rice noodles, egg noodles, or even soba noodles are excellent options to complement the shrimp. The sweet glaze coats the noodles just as it does with the rice, adding layers of flavor.
With Steamed Vegetables
If you’re looking to keep things light, honey garlic shrimp can also be served with a side of steamed vegetables. Broccoli, asparagus, snap peas, or even roasted carrots work wonderfully as a side dish, and they help balance out the richness of the shrimp.
As a Starter or Appetizer
Honey garlic shrimp can also be served as an appetizer at parties or gatherings. It pairs well with a variety of dips like soy sauce, sriracha mayo, or even a garlic butter dipping sauce. This dish is perfect for a small bite at cocktail parties or as part of an Asian-inspired buffet.
Conclusion:
Honey garlic shrimp is the perfect dish for those who love easy-to-make meals that don’t compromise on flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe is sure to impress with its irresistible sticky glaze, tender shrimp, and savory-sweet balance. The versatility of this dish means you can customize it to suit your tastes, from adding spice to making it creamy with coconut milk. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a flavorful, satisfying meal in no time.
So, if you haven’t yet tried honey garlic shrimp, now’s the perfect time to do so. Its simple yet delicious nature makes it a winner for every home cook, from beginners to seasoned chefs. The next time you’re in the mood for a quick seafood dish that feels indulgent without the fuss, reach for this recipe you won’t be disappointed!