Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Irresistible Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe for Everyone

Sweet, succulent honey garlic shrimp reimagines ordinary seafood into a culinary delight that dances across your taste buds.

Combining two powerful flavor agents creates a magical coating that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Seafood lovers appreciate how quickly this dish comes together with minimal preparation.

The delicate balance between sharp garlic and golden honey produces an irresistible glaze that clings perfectly to tender shrimp.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and umami notes that will make your dinner feel special.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how these few ingredients can create such a memorable meal.

High-quality ingredients make all the difference in reimagineing this recipe from good to unforgettable.

Shrimp Coated in Sweet and Sticky Goodness

  • Savor Speedy Seafood Delight: This honey garlic shrimp recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners that don't compromise on taste.
  • Embrace Texture Symphony: Tender, succulent shrimp paired with crisp-edged broccoli creates a delightful contrast, while the glossy, thick sauce provides a luxurious coating that clings perfectly to each ingredient.
  • Master Simple Gourmet Cooking: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, home cooks can effortlessly transform basic proteins into an impressive meal that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it, boosting kitchen confidence with every bite.

What Brings This Sauce to Life

Protein:
  • Shrimp: Fresh or frozen seafood that provides the main protein for the dish, choose medium-sized with no fishy smell.
  • Peanuts: Crunchy garnish that adds texture and nutty flavor, raw or roasted work well.
Vegetables:
  • Broccoli: Green vegetable that provides crunch and nutrition, fresh and firm florets are best.
  • Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds mild onion flavor and bright color, choose crisp green tops.
Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the savory elements, prefer raw or local honey for best flavor.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep flavor base, fresh cloves are more potent than pre-minced.
  • Peanut Oil: Cooking oil with high smoke point, neutral taste that works well for stir-frying.
  • Cornstarch: Thickening agent that helps sauce become glossy and coat ingredients, mix with cold water before adding.
  • Water: Used for cornstarch mixture and sauce consistency, cold water helps prevent lumps.

How to Cook Shrimp Without Overdoing It

Step 1: Prepare Shrimp

Completely thaw shrimp and pat dry. Remove shell, tail, and veins if needed.

Step 2: Create Flavor Sauce

In a small bowl, mix sauce ingredients except cornstarch and water. Set aside.

Step 3: Sear Shrimp

Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 1.20 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Step 4: Cook Broccoli

In the same skillet, sauté broccoli for 4 minutes until slightly tender.

Step 5: Prepare Cornstarch Mixture

Whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth.

Step 6: Thicken Sauce

Return sauce to skillet and bring to boil. Gradually stir in cornstarch mixture until sauce thickens.

Step 7: Combine Ingredients

Reduce heat to low. Add broccoli back to skillet and partially cover. Heat for 2-3 minutes.

Step 8: Final Heating

Return shrimp to skillet, spoon sauce over, and heat through for 1 minute.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Plate over cooked rice. Top with chopped green onions and crushed peanuts.

Tips to Get That Glaze Just Right

  • Maximize Shrimp Flavor: Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
  • Control Cooking Temperature: Use medium-high heat to quickly cook shrimp without making them rubbery, aiming for 1-2 minutes per side.
  • Prevent Sauce Clumping: Whisk cornstarch and water thoroughly until completely smooth to create a silky, lump-free sauce.
  • Boost Sauce Intensity: Let sauce simmer and reduce slightly before adding cornstarch to concentrate the honey and garlic flavors.
  • Preserve Shrimp Texture: Add shrimp back to the sauce at the very end and heat briefly to maintain their tender, juicy consistency.

Keeping Shrimp Tender After the Fridge

  • Storage
  • Refrigerate leftover honey garlic shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the dish sealed and consume within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and safety. Separate rice and shrimp when storing to prevent soggy textures.
  • Reheating Methods
  • Microwave gently by placing shrimp and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, covering loosely, and heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent overcooking.
  • Skillet Reheat: Warm a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add shrimp and sauce, stirring carefully to maintain moisture and prevent rubbery texture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly heated, then serve immediately.

Sides and Sips That Balance the Flavor

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the sweet and savory honey garlic flavors, cutting through the richness of the shrimp.
  • Match with Jasmine Rice Side: Create a perfect base for the shrimp by serving fragrant jasmine rice, which absorbs the delicious sauce and enhances the overall meal's texture and taste.
  • Add Crunchy Asian Slaw: Prepare a light cabbage and carrot slaw with a rice vinegar dressing to provide a tangy, crisp contrast to the tender shrimp and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.
  • Finish with Tropical Fruit Dessert: Conclude the meal with a simple mango or pineapple sorbet to echo the sweet notes in the honey garlic sauce and offer a light, cooling end to the dish.

Shrimp Flavor Switch-Ups to Explore

  • Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the honey garlic mixture for a fiery kick. Swap broccoli with bell peppers and snap peas for extra crunch and color.
  • Coconut Lime Shrimp Sensation: Replace honey with coconut milk and add lime zest to the sauce. Include diced mango or pineapple for a tropical flair and serve over coconut rice.
  • Mediterranean Shrimp Skillet: Substitute honey with white wine and add oregano, lemon juice, and diced tomatoes. Incorporate feta cheese and serve with herbed quinoa for a Greek-inspired meal.
  • Asian Sesame Shrimp Bowl: Enhance the sauce with sesame oil and rice vinegar. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
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Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe


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4.8 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Succulent shrimp dance in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze, bringing Mediterranean coastal flavors to your dinner table. Effortless preparation meets elegant taste, promising a quick and delicious meal that transports you to seaside culinary bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce Components:

  • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) honey
  • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) red pepper flakes

Base and Garnish:

  • 3 cups (720 milliliters) cooked rice
  • Green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup (30 grams) roughly chopped honey roasted peanuts

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly defrost shrimp, ensuring complete drainage and patting completely dry with paper towels. Carefully remove shells, tails, and devein if needed.
  2. Create a flavor-packed sauce by whisking together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and other liquid seasonings in a small mixing bowl. Set aside for later use.
  3. Warm peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a hot cooking surface.
  4. Gently place prepared shrimp into the skillet, cooking approximately 1 minute and 20 seconds on each side until they turn golden pink and develop a light caramelized exterior.
  5. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, keeping them warm and preventing overcooking.
  6. In the same skillet, sauté fresh broccoli florets for roughly 4 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly while maintaining a vibrant green color.
  7. Prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of cold water with cornstarch until smooth and lump-free.
  8. Pour reserved sauce into the skillet, bringing to a rapid boil and stirring continuously.
  9. Gradually incorporate the cornstarch mixture, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop a glossy appearance.
  10. Reduce heat to low, reintroduce broccoli to the skillet, and partially cover, allowing gentle heating for 2-3 minutes.
  11. Return shrimp to the skillet, gently coating them with the aromatic sauce and warming through for approximately 1 minute.
  12. Plate over steamed rice, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions and roughly chopped roasted peanuts for added texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Perfectly thaw and dry shrimp to ensure crisp, flavorful coating and prevent watery texture.
  • Use peanut oil for high-heat cooking that adds subtle nutty undertones to the dish.
  • Quickly sear shrimp to maintain tender texture and prevent rubbery consistency.
  • Create smooth cornstarch slurry for glossy, restaurant-quality sauce without lumps.
  • Briefly reheat shrimp to prevent overcooking and maintain juicy, delicate flavor.
  • Elevate presentation with fresh green onions and crunchy chopped peanuts for textural contrast.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 425 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 380 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Liam O'Brien

Liam O’Brien

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Traditional Irish Dishes
  • Farm-to-Table Cooking
  • Recipe Creation
  • Teaching Cooking Skills
  • Sustainable Food Practices

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)

  • Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.

He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.

At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.

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