Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe With Sweet Sticky Glaze

Honey garlic shrimp recipe delivers a meal that balances sweet and savory notes in perfect harmony.

Busy weeknights call for something quick yet impressive, and few options satisfy quite like succulent seafood coated in a glossy sauce.

What makes it so appealing is how effortlessly it comes together while still feeling special enough for company.

The combination works beautifully over rice, noodles, or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete plate.

Restaurant meals can be pricey, but preparing something similar at home saves money without sacrificing flavor.

Even picky eaters tend to clean plates when something so delicious lands in front of them.

Head to the full instructions below and see how simple creating something remarkable can be.

Top Reasons to Try 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp

• Quick Dinner Solution: This shrimp recipe comes together faster than ordering takeout, making weeknight meals super simple when your kitchen energy is running low.
• Flavor Explosion: The honey garlic sauce delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory that transforms plain shrimp into something restaurant-worthy right at your dining table.
• Minimal Ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples, your dinner becomes an impressive meal without complicated shopping or expensive components.
• Crowd-Pleaser Potential: Seafood lovers and picky eaters alike will appreciate the delicious glaze and tender shrimp that makes everyone happy around the dinner table.

Complete Ingredient List for Honey Garlic Shrimp

• 1 Lb Shrimp: Fresh, juicy shrimp that will be the star of your quick dinner.

• 1/4 Cup Honey, 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce, 3 Cloves Garlic: Sweet honey creates a glossy coating while soy sauce adds depth and garlic brings intense flavor to your shrimp.

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil: Helps create a perfect sear and prevents shrimp from sticking to the pan.
• 1/2 Tsp Salt, 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural taste of your shrimp.

• 1 Tbsp Green Onions, 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds: Adds a fresh crunch and nutty finish to your dish, making it look as good as it tastes.

Best Tools for Honey Garlic Shrimp

• Large Skillet (12-inch): Your go-to pan for creating a perfect, even sear on the shrimp and achieving that delicious golden color.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the honey garlic sauce and ensuring all ingredients blend smoothly.
• Paper Towels: Essential for patting your shrimp completely dry, which helps create a beautiful golden crust.
• Whisk: Great tool for combining sauce ingredients quickly and eliminating any lumps.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to mince garlic cloves into tiny, flavorful pieces.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping garlic and green onions.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir and coat shrimp evenly with the glossy sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and sauce proportions.

Quick Skillet Guide for Honey Garlic Shrimp

What Helpful Cooking Notes Perfect Honey Garlic Shrimp

• Ensure your shrimp are super dry before cooking so they get that amazing golden-brown sear without steaming.
• Mince garlic super fine to distribute flavor evenly and prevent burning in the hot skillet.
• Spread shrimp in one layer so each piece cooks evenly and gets that delicious caramelized edge.
• Pour the honey garlic sauce at the very end and stir quickly to create a glossy, sticky coating that clings to every shrimp.
• Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds right before serving to add a fresh crunch and pop of color.

Honey Garlic Shrimp Sauce Adjustments

• Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a kick that will warm your taste buds.
• Coconut Honey Shrimp: Replace olive oil with coconut oil and sprinkle shredded coconut on top for a tropical flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish safe for your gluten-sensitive friends.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip honey and use a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the same delicious sauce.

Best Ways to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp

• Serve with Steamed Rice: Scoop fluffy white rice onto your plate and nestle the honey garlic shrimp right on top for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
• Quick Side Salad Companion: Toss together a simple mixed green salad with a light sesame dressing to complement the rich, sweet-savory shrimp.
• Vegetable Pairing: Roast some broccoli or asparagus with a touch of sesame oil to create a colorful, nutritious side that matches the Asian-inspired sauce.
• Wine and Drink Choice: Pour a crisp, chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light beer that will cut through the sweetness and highlight the shrimp’s delicate flavor.

Best Storage Method For Honey Garlic Shrimp

• Refrigerate leftover shrimp in an airtight container for maximum 2 days to keep flavors fresh and prevent seafood spoilage.
• Avoid freezing cooked shrimp since the delicate texture breaks down and becomes rubbery when thawed.
• Reheat refrigerated shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain tenderness, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Store extra honey garlic sauce separately in the fridge for up to one week, which makes quick future meal prep super easy.

Honey Garlic Shrimp FAQs

Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 11-12 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Whipping up 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp takes less than half an hour and delivers restaurant-quality flavor right to your dinner table. Succulent shrimp glazed with sweet-tangy sauce makes your weeknight meal feel like a special treat without complicated cooking skills.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 lb shrimp

Sauces and Sweeteners:

• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon green onions
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Blot the 1 lb of shrimp completely dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture for better searing.
2. Finely mince 3 cloves of garlic into tiny, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly.
3. Combine ¼ cup honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, minced garlic, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth.
4. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for exactly 2 minutes, creating a hot cooking surface.
5. Arrange shrimp in a single layer across the skillet, ensuring no pieces overlap or crowd each other.
6. Sear shrimp for precisely 2 minutes on the first side, watching for pink coloration and slight curling.
7. Carefully turn each shrimp and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until completely pink and opaque throughout.
8. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the shrimp, quickly stirring to guarantee uniform coating.
9. Allow sauce to simmer for 30-45 seconds, watching as it transforms into a glossy glaze around the shrimp.
10. Immediately remove skillet from heat to prevent rubbery texture and overcooking.
11. Transfer glazed shrimp to a serving plate with a slotted spoon to drain excess sauce.
12. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds across the top for fresh garnish.

Notes

• Pat the shrimp completely dry to help them get a gorgeous golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Always cook shrimp in a single layer with space between them to ensure each piece caramelizes perfectly and doesn’t become rubbery.
• Watch the shrimp closely during cooking, as they go from perfectly done to overcooked in seconds, turning tough and chewy if left too long.
• Serve this dish immediately after cooking for the best texture and flavor, as shrimp can quickly become dense and lose their tender quality if left sitting.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 minutes
• Category: Sautéed
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 179
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 634 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 166 mg