This honey garlic shrimp is a quick, flavorful dish that balances sweet honey with savory garlic and soy sauce. Tender shrimp are lightly seared, then coated in a glossy sauce that’s perfect spooned over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
The ingredients are simple and pantry-friendly, yet the flavor feels restaurant-worthy.
The sweet and savory sauce pairs well with rice, noodles, or even vegetables.
Shrimp cook quickly, so you get a protein-rich meal without long prep time.
It’s easy to customize with spice, citrus, or herbs to match your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Directions
Season the shrimp lightly with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Stir in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar or lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the honey garlic sauce. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are heated through and glossy.
Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles.
Servings and timing
Servings: 2 to 4 people
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Variations
Add vegetables such as bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli to the skillet for a complete one-pan meal.
Use lime juice instead of rice vinegar for a brighter citrus flavor.
Increase red pepper flakes or add chili sauce if you prefer more heat.
Swap parsley for chopped green onions or cilantro for a different herb profile.
Serve the shrimp over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover honey garlic shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
You can also reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, just make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking.
What size shrimp works best?
Large or extra-large shrimp work best because they stay juicy and don’t overcook as quickly.
Is this recipe very sweet?
The sweetness is balanced by garlic and soy sauce, but you can reduce the honey slightly if you prefer.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Yes, add more red pepper flakes or a bit of chili sauce to increase the heat.
What can I serve with honey garlic shrimp?
It pairs well with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
You can mix the sauce ingredients ahead of time, but cook the shrimp fresh for best texture.
How do I know when shrimp are fully cooked?
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape.
Can I use another oil instead of olive oil?
Yes, neutral oils like sunflower or avocado oil also work well.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
It can be meal-prepped for short term, but shrimp are best enjoyed fresh or within one to two days.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use a larger skillet or cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Conclusion
Honey garlic shrimp is a simple yet impressive dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for a quick family dinner or an easy weekend meal, this recipe offers a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness that’s sure to become a favorite.
This honey garlic shrimp is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp seared to perfection and coated in a sweet, savory, garlicky sauce. It’s perfect served over rice or noodles for a satisfying 20-minute meal.
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet.
In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar or lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Return shrimp to skillet and toss to coat in sauce. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until glossy and heated through.
Remove from heat, garnish with parsley, and serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
Use thawed, patted-dry shrimp for best sear.
Don’t overcook shrimp — remove from heat once pink and just curled.
Add vegetables like bell pepper or broccoli for a one-pan meal.
Adjust sweetness or spice to taste by modifying honey or red pepper flakes.
