If you’re in the mood for a fast, flavorful dish, Honey Garlic Shrimp is the way to go. It’s cooked in one pan, making cleanup easy, and the combination of sweet honey and savory garlic creates a sauce that’s perfect for shrimp.
This meal comes together quickly, making it a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying. Stop spending money on takeout and find out exactly how easy it is to make this delicious dish at home.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This honey garlic shrimp recipe works beautifully because it's quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful.
With minimal preparation and a short cooking time, you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
This dish is not only quick to make but also fulfilling, providing a satisfying combination of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy tastes.
Additionally, this succulent shrimp dish pairs wonderfully with various sides from steamed rice to stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients
Orange Juice:
It's always a good idea to use citrus when cooking with seafood as it helps to tenderize the meat. In this case, we are using orange juice because in addition to tenderizing, it also adds to the sweetness of the dish. If you want to change the flavor profile a bit, you can opt for lemon or lime juices as well.
Olive Oil:
Olive oil is always a good addition as its light flavor lends well to most marinades. Sesame oil is another option that works particularly well with honey garlic shrimp, adding a rich, nutty flavor to the dish.
Soy Sauce:
Soy sauce provides saltiness, which balances the sweetness of the honey and enhances the overall flavor profile. If you need a substitute, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative.
Honey:
Honey is a key ingredient in the honey garlic shrimp recipe. Its natural sweetness balances the marinade's savory and tangy elements. If you need a substitute, you can use maple syrup, which offers a similar sweetness with a slightly different flavor profile. Agave nectar is another good alternative, offering a mild, neutral sweetness. Brown sugar or light corn syrup can also be used, though they may alter the texture and flavor slightly.
Red pepper flakes:
To add a bit of heat to your honey garlic shrimp sauce, red pepper flakes are used. Adjust the amount used to suit your personal taste preferences. Add more to kick the heat up a notch, or eliminate them altogether if you have a low tolerance for heat.
Ginger and Garlic:
Garlic and ginger are the other two stars in this marinade. While fresh works best, you can substitute garlic and ginger powder if necessary. For every teaspoon of fresh, use ¼ teaspoon of the powdered version.
Shrimp:
You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe; however, if you are using frozen, ensure you thaw them completely before cooking. Additionally, you will want to use shrimp that have been cleaned and deveined. If shrimp isn't your thing, you can always use this same recipe to make honey garlic chicken or tofu.
Cilantro:
A sprinkling of fresh, chopped cilantro to finish off the dish adds color, flavor, and freshness. You can also garnish your honey garlic shrimp with fresh basil, chives, sesame seeds, or green onions.
How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp
Step One:
To make the honey garlic sauce, add orange juice, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, honey, red pepper flakes, garlic, and ginger to a bowl and whisk to combine.
Step Two:
Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat.
Step Three:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat in a large pan or skillet.
Step Four:
Add the shrimp to the hot skillet and cook until they turn pinkish in color, approximately 2-3 minutes on each side.
Step Five:
Remove from heat and top with fresh cilantro.
Step Six:
Serve with a side of rice, and enjoy!
Tips
- To infuse your shrimp with maximum flavor, marinate them in the honey garlic sauce for at least 15-30 minutes. This ensures they absorb all the delicious flavors.
- If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken, or add a small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) to the sauce.
What to Serve With Honey Garlic Shrimp
Honey garlic shrimp pairs beautifully with a variety of sides to create a well-rounded meal. Serve it over steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Complement the shrimp with stir-fried or steamed vegetables like broccoli, edamame, or bok choy for added crunch and color. Additionally, a bowl of sesame noodles or quinoa can provide additional texture and heartiness to this honey garlic shrimp dinner.
FAQs
Can I make this easy honey garlic shrimp recipe ahead of time?
It’s best to cook honey garlic shrimp fresh to keep them tender and flavorful. However, you can marinate the shrimp and prepare the sauce ahead of time, then cook them just before serving.
What can I do to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery?
Avoid overcooking the shrimp. They only need 2-3 minutes per side. Cooking them on high heat also helps to sear the outside while keeping the inside tender.
How do I properly store leftover honey garlic shrimp?
Leftover honey garlic shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store for up to 3 months.
What's the best way to reheat leftover honey garlic shrimp?
If they have been frozen, ensure you thaw leftover honey garlic shrimp completely before reheating. Gently reheat them in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to keep the shrimp moist and prevent them from drying out.
More Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp recipes, like this quick honey garlic shrimp recipe, are typically quite fast and easy to prepare because of how quickly shrimp cooks. For more simple shrimp recipes that can be made in a snap, check out this collection of some of our favorites.
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ tablespoons garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger minced
- 1 pound shrimp raw
Instructions
- To make the honey garlic sauce, add orange juice, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, honey, red pepper flakes, garlic, and ginger to a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat in a large pan or skillet.
- Add the shrimp to the hot skillet and cook until they turn pinkish in color, approximately 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Remove from heat and top with fresh cilantro.
- Serve with a side of rice, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- To infuse your shrimp with maximum flavor, marinate them in the honey garlic sauce for at least 15-30 minutes. This ensures they absorb all the delicious flavors.
- If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken, or add a small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) to the sauce.