Honey Garlic Shrimp
93 Comments
Updated Feb 10, 2023
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This honey garlic shrimp is undoubtedly a dinner favorite! Juicy shrimp are coated in a savory-sweet n’ garlicky glaze. And the best part? It’s done in about 20 minutes!
Trust me when I say this honey garlic shrimp hits all the right spots for a top tier shrimp recipe. It’s cooked in the best savory-sweet glaze, satisfies your seafood fix for the week, and yes, it falls under my favorite dinner category of 30-minutes or less, fuss-free meals!
My go-to way to plate these shrimps are on a warm bed of rice with a sprinkle of sliced green onions (the more the better!). But keep reading to see how I turn this into a versatile meal prep recipe you can enjoy throughout the week.
It’s All About The Honey Garlic Sauce
What makes this dish so yummy is the sticky-sweet, savory sauce – with a little kick. Honey and garlic are the main components here, but there’s a few other additions to make it lip smackin’ good.
- Honey: Gives the sauce that sticky-sweet texture and flavor.
- Tamari Soy Sauce: I’m using tamari soy sauce as I’m gluten-free (and honestly, I think it tastes better than regular soy sauce anyway – it’s richer!). But if you’re soy-free, feel free to swap in coconut aminos.
- Garlic and Ginger: The ultimate aromatic duo that adds a serious punch of flavor.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Just a sprinkle is all you need for a little heat.
- Garnishes: A little sprinkle of finely diced herbs and sliced green onion add that little something extra.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Let’s Make Honey Garlic Shrimp
Honey garlic sauce Marinate the shrimp to soak up all the honey garlic goodness
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes.
- Time to marinate! In a separate bowl, toss together the shrimp and 1/3 of the sauce. Then marinate for 15-20 minutes.
Remember that shrimp cook fast! So don’t overcook them. A simple recipe… but oh, so good!
- Cook the shrimp. Heat the oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Then add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until pink.
- Let the sauce reduce. Pour the remaining 2/3 sauce into the pan and bring to a simmer. Stir together with the shrimp as it reduces.
How To Devein Shrimp
This recipe calls for jumbo shrimp, which can be bought frozen or fresh. Frozen shrimp that are already peeled and deveined makes for an even speedier dinner. But if you’re buying fresh, here’s a quick overview on how to properly devein shrimp.
- Peel the shrimp. Remove the shrimp shell by starting at the top and peeling around until you reach the tail. You can remove the tail or leave it on, it’s up to you!
- Cut alongside the vein. Hold the shrimp with its back side up. Then use a small knife to cut about 1/4-inch deep alongside the dark vein (which should run alongside the back of the shrimp).
- Scrape out the vein. Use the tip of the knife to gently scrape out the dark vein (which is actually the digestive tract). That’s it!
Want more tips on how to shop for shrimp? Check out my garlic grilled shrimp skewers recipe. I walk you through the difference between wild-caught and farmed shrimp.
Turn This Single Recipe Into a Variety Of Shrimp Meals
A classic rice plate combo is a given, but get creative with bowls and wraps to keep your meals interesting throughout the week.
- Plate: Serve this with fresh rice (or cauliflower rice), with a side of cooked greens such as sauteed spinach, sauteed cabbage, or sauteed snap peas.
- Bowl: Make a rice or grain bowl out of it with garlic bok choy, roasted broccoli (or other roasted veggies), and lots of green onion.
- Wrap: For a low-carb option, remove the tails from the shrimp and wrap them in butter leaf lettuce along with bean sprouts and sliced green onions. You’re going to love this fresh combo!
No matter which way you serve these honey garlic shrimp, don’t forget to drizzle extra sauce on top!
Got Leftovers? Here’s How To Store
- To store: It’s easy to devour this shrimp in one sitting. But if you happen to have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat: Simply pop them in the microwave for about one minute, or heat them in a skillet, until warmed through. Just don’t reheat the shrimp for too long, otherwise they’ll dry out and turn rubbery.
More Lip Smackin’ Shrimp Recipes
We can always count on shrimp to get a delicious dinner on the table fast. From simple sautes to the best shrimp tacos, here’s a few shrimp recipes the community has been loving…
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Creamy Chipotle Shrimp
- Shrimp Tacos With Cilantro Lime Bacon Slaw
- Citrus Shrimp Ceviche
Honey Garlic Shrimp Video
Want to see how easy it is to make this honey garlic shrimp? Watch the video below!
If you make this honey garlic shrimp, let me know how they turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Description
Video
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup tamari soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro or parsley
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes.
- Place the shrimp into a separate bowl and pour 1/3 of the sauce on top. Toss to coat the shrimp, then marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp (discarding any leftover marinade) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until pink and just barely cooked through.
- Pour the remaining 2/3 sauce into the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring with the shrimp as it slightly reduces and warms through, for about a minute.
- Turn off the heat, stir in the cilantro or parsley, and top with sliced green onions before serving.
Lisa’s Tips
- This is the gluten-free tamari soy sauce I use and love. I also buy the low-sodium version.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh? If so, how much?
Hi Hannah – Yes! I would use ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger.
Loved it! Easy to make and there are so many variations to make with it. It will be a staple in our house.
Happy to hear this honey garlic shrimp is now a dinner staple!
Recipes are wonderful. I tried the garlic shrimp.
Thank you so much for tweaking the recipe as I’m sure it will satisfy all your readers. Thank you again.
So amazing and free and detailed instructions.
I’m happy you loved this recipe, Kristyn!
Instead of ginger can you use turmeric
Great alternative, Trinette!
Delicious flavor and very easy to prepare.
So happy you loved the recipe, Caryn!
Loved it!! I made a little extra sauce and cooked broccoli in and added undone noodles it was so yummy.
Great idea on using the leftover sauce!
Sooo good! I put this on a light bed of rice with some finely chopped broccoli mixed in and was so good. I will definitely make this again.
Glad you enjoyed this honey garlic shrimp Karen!
Made this tonight with prawns and tofu. It was amazing! My husband especially loved the sauce – he says he’s been searching for a good honey garlic sauce for years. Now here it is. Can always count on you to bring on the flavour wagon hahaha. ❤️❤️
Oh yes, I’m all about the flavor! Haha. Glad your husband loved it as well, Teresa!
Second time I’ve made this recipe – just as delicious as the first time! I’m not a fan of red pepper flakes so omitted them and used plain lite soy sauce. Served over noodles – it was a big hit.
The sauce is amazing. For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere the shrimps mentioned here are not the tiny shrimp we have down under … buy prawns. Definitely doing this recipe again.
This sauce is delicious! Sweet but not too sweet.
Hi, trying this tonight! How far in advance can I marinate the shrimp?
Don’t marinate the shrimp for more than one hour!
Made this shrimp tonight for my husband with roasted broccoli and cauliflower mash. He couldn’t stop raving about the shrimp and said I should save this recipe.
Happy to hear that Kathy! Thanks for leaving a review :)
We loved this recipe for honey garlic shrimp and will make it again (and again). The honey garlic sauce smelled so good as I mixed it in the bowl and I could tell it was going to be very tasty. And we loved the slight kick from the red pepper flakes. It wasn’t overwhelming. I remember saying “yum” a lot!
I served this today with a side of garlic ginger rice… it was so good. I just toasted the garlic in ginger kinda like you do for the cilantro lime rice.
That sounds amazing with the garlic ginger rice Ashley!
Can I substitute butter for fry it if I dont have any oil?
That’s fine!
Tasted well. Just wondering how to get the honey to stick to the prawns and create less of a sauce. Corn starch?
To thicken the sauce, you can try using either cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
Lisa, you have done it again! The BEST and EASIEST shrimp recipe! I have made it twice now in the month, and both times I’ve been floored by how jam-packed with flavor this simple dish is. My roommate, who I’ve made this for last night, is obsessed and said it’s better than any restaurant shrimp dish she’s ordered, ever! I cannot wait for your cookbook to come out! :)
Happy to hear both you and your husband loved this honey garlic shrimp Delaney :)
The only wild caught shrimp I have available in my small town is deveined, precooked, and frozen. Can you suggest a way I can adapt the recipe to accommodate that shrimp?
That’s fine, just cook the shrimp as is with the same instructions. But make sure to defrost the shrimp first and keep an eye out on cooking time.
These are just amazing, absolutely
loved them and so easy to cook.
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. :)
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your recipes and tips so generously on your website! I am so happy to chance on it while searching for simple recipes to learn. I am totally clueless when it comes to cooking and you totally make the cooking process so simple and clear! I am so looking forward to try out the other recipes!
Downshiftology is all about easy and healthy cooking! Glad you’re enjoying the recipes so far and I’m excited to see what you make next Wei ;)
This is one of my favorite recipes! I have enjoyed having your website because I have learned so much from you! You are so easy to listen too, you explain in such details. Thank so much!!!!
Happy to hear you’re learning tons from Downshiftology Carol!
another killer shrimp recipe!!! delicious and SO easy and fast. I had mine with Lisa’s cauliflower rice and some sautéed mushrooms.
Glad you loved this honey garlic shrimp! Love the idea of pairing it with sauteed mushrooms as well :)
Made this tonight along with Downshiftology’s shrimp fajitas recipe. They were both soooo delicious. I loved the tango was of the Honey Ginger. So easy and so good!
Wow! Can’t believe you made both tonight. But, I’m glad they turned out perfectly :)
This recipe is SO FREAKING GOOD! I will definitely make it again soon. Came out perfectly. Tasted so incredible.
Happy to hear you loved this recipe Mia!
This is so good! Your recipes never disappoint! This tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. I cooked this up with some rice and sugar snap peas. this will definitely be in our regular dinner rotation
Happy to hear you loved this honey garlic shrimp Megan!
Lisa has once again given us a delicious recipe. I made this dish and our household loved it. It is absolutely yummy. I made is with black rice.
Happy to hear you loved this honey garlic shrimp Christiane!
I made this recipe yesterday and it was a complete success! My kids loved it (extra brownie points there!), it was easy to make and absolutely delicious! Thank you so much
That’s always a good sign if the kiddos love it!
Both my fiancé and I loved this delicious shrimp dish!!! Very easy to follow recipe and didn’t take long to make!!!!AMAZING!!!!
This dish came out so tasty! My family really enjoyed the sauce.
Glad this honey garlic shrimp was a family winner!
My husband sent me the recipe yesterday and I just made it snd it was fantastic!!! Going into the “Favorites “ file!! 😊 Thank you!
Glad you both enjoyed this honey garlic shrimp Carolyn!
Can I use chicken cutlet tenders instead of shrimp? Have those defrosting now.
Yes, you can use chicken as well with this sauce :)
Used the recipe last night. My wife and I loved it. I tweak recipes all the time but I followed this on 85-90%. I added a touch more honey and added some sweet/hot peppers to the mix. Other than that, I went by the recipe and it was delicious. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed this honey garlic shrimp recipe Bobby!
That recipe was amazing!!! I’m a shrimp lover, and this recipe really hit that spot where u r gratefully satisfied but at the same time keeps u wanting more. Plus that sweet spiciness that creates a marvelous cascade of flavors in ur mouth is the true definition of ambrosia! I’m sorry if I got a little carried away, but I’m still eating some and can’t seem to control myself. Masterfully done!!! Thank you!!!
Thrilled to hear you loved this honey garlic shrimp Jonathan! This also has become one of my favorite dishes to make now :)
Quick and easy and delicious
Happy to hear you enjoyed this honey garlic shrimp!
These were so easy to make and sooo good!
Happy to hear you loved this shrimp recipe Karen!
Oh my goodness… They are making my mouth water! Can’t wait to try it!
Hope you love this recipe Shweta!
Love this! Just got back with fresh shrimp from the Georgia coast. Made this with cauli-rice and roasted some fresh broccoli with some of the sauce. I know you said you could omit the fresh ginger but it brings a lot to the party!! Winner shrimp dinner! Thanks for the great recipe Lisa!
Wow! This must have turned out delicious with fresh, coastal shrimp. Glad you enjoyed this one and can keep this in your dinner arsenal :)
This is THE BEST honey garlic shrimp I’ve tried … and I’ve tried a lot over my lifetime! So easy, fast and delicious. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you love this honey garlic shrimp recipe!
great way to enjoy shrimp and even better than a restaurant dish which would definitely have been sweetened with raw sugar instead of honey, so thank you!
Homemade is the way to go sometimes :) Glad you enjoyed this recipe Sabrina!
Hi! Can we use maple syrup in place of honey 🍯 thanks!
Sure, if you’d like.
Hi,
Thank you for sharing this. Making it now…the shrimp are marinating (yum).
Hope you enjoy this one Luz!
Looks so delicious and simple to make! What else do u recommend to serve with the shrimp, rice or a vegetable?
I’ve actually written up a few serving suggestions in the post :)
I’ve got TONS of shrimp ready to rock’n’roll in the kitchen, so this recipe is so timely! :-)
Perfect timing! You’re going to love this recipe :)
Sounds really yummy…. except for 1695mg sodium per serving! Even low sodium tamari or soy or coconut aminos are loaded with sodium… Any suggestions?
Hi Carol – I’ve reached out to the creator of the nutrition database to let him know of the error. I’ve since manually fixed. :)
This honey garlic sauce is SO good!! Can’t wait to try this shrimp over rice next time. Love how versatile the recipe is.
When the sauce gets tossed with the rice, it’s unbelievably good!
Bursting with flavors and the Honey Garlic combination makes this dish super delicious. I love it for sure.
Glad you enjoyed this recipe! It’s definitely loaded with tons of deliciousness.
Absolutely delicious and so so easy! My new go-to weeknight meal.
Glad you loved this honey garlic shrimp Gina!
So simple but the shrimp look so good! I’m making this tonight and I know it will be a hit. Thank you!
Hope the whole family enjoys this recipe Colleen!