This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is made with shrimp, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, oil and can be served on rice.

This Sticky Garlic Honey Shrimp recipe is made with succulent shrimp and a harmonious blend of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger. This sauce creates a delectable marinade, transforming each bite into a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Sizzle them in olive oil for a mouthwatering sear, then generously coat with the remaining marinade for that sticky perfection.
This recipe can be served over a bed of cooked rice and adorned with sesame seeds and scallions, this dish promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights. Join us in unlocking the secrets to this culinary masterpiece that will undoubtedly become a favorite at your table.
If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Creamy Shrimp in Coconut Sauce or my Shrimp Scampi.
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What is Honey Garlic Shrimp?
Honey Garlic Shrimp is a popular dish that features succulent shrimp coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. The dish typically includes a combination of garlic, honey, soy sauce, and other seasonings that are used to create a sticky glaze that coats the shrimp. The dish is usually served as an appetizer or as a main course with rice or noodles. Honey Garlic Shrimp is loved for its sweet and tangy flavor profile, as well as its crispy texture, making it a great option for those who enjoy a blend of sweet and savory flavors.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
- Shrimp
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Olive oil
- Rice
- Sesame seeds
See recipe card for Sticky Honey Garlic Shrimp quantities.
How to make Honey Garlic Shrimp
In a bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger. Divide the marinade into two separate bowls.
Place the shrimp in a bowl and pour half of the marinade over them. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, leaving the remaining mixture aside. After 30 minutes, heat olive oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp to the pan, avoiding pouring excess juice.
Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Use tongs to flip each shrimp individually. Once the shrimp are flipped and have cooked for three minutes, pour in the rest of the marinade, stir, and then remove from heat.
Serve the sticky garlic honey shrimp over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
Hint: Do not overcook the shrimp.
What to serve with Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Rice: A simple side of steamed rice is a classic accompaniment to Honey Garlic Shrimp. You could also try serving it with fried rice or mixed vegetable rice.
- Noodles: Honey Garlic Shrimp also pairs well with noodles, such as chow mein or lo mein.
- Vegetables: Consider serving a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, or bell peppers.
- Salad: A light and refreshing salad, such as a cucumber salad or a simple green salad, can help balance the sweetness of the Honey Garlic Shrimp.
- Bread: Serving Honey Garlic Shrimp with some crusty bread or dinner rolls is a great way to soak up any extra sauce.
Substitutions
- Shrimp: Substitute with chicken, tofu, or your preferred protein if you're looking for a non-seafood option.
- Honey: Agave nectar or maple syrup can be used as alternatives for a different natural sweetness.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Regular soy sauce or tamari can be used, but adjust the quantity to taste as regular soy sauce tends to be saltier.
- Minced Garlic and Minced Ginger: You can use pre-minced garlic and ginger from a jar if you're looking to save time.
- Olive Oil: Substitute with vegetable oil, canola oil, or another neutral oil of your choice.
- Optional: Cooked Rice: Choose your favorite type of rice or opt for cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- Optional: Sesame Seeds and Chopped Scallions: Feel free to customize the garnish with other seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds, and use green onions if scallions aren't available.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe Variations
- Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp: Add some red pepper flakes or chili sauce to the honey garlic sauce for a spicy twist.
- Lemon Honey Garlic Shrimp: Substitute the soy sauce with lemon juice and zest, and add a dash of honey for a tangy and sweet flavor.
- Ginger Honey Garlic Shrimp: Add some grated ginger to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor and depth.
- Baked Honey Garlic Shrimp: Instead of sautéing the shrimp, you could try baking them in the oven for a healthier and lighter version of the dish.
- Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry: Add some vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas to the dish to make it a complete meal.
Check out this Rock Shrimp Tempura.
Equipment
- Large skillet or wok: This wok will be used to cook the shrimp and the sauce.
- Cutting board and knife: For chopping the garlic and any other vegetables you might want to add.
- Mixing bowl: To mix the honey garlic sauce ingredients together.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurately measuring the ingredients for the sauce.
- Tongs or spatula: To flip and stir the shrimp as it cooks.
- Small saucepan (optional): If you want to thicken the sauce, you may need a small saucepan to reduce it.
- Serving platter: To serve the honey garlic shrimp once it is cooked.
How to store Honey Garlic Shrimp
To store honey garlic shrimp, first make sure it has cooled down to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it within two hours of cooking.
Honey garlic shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, keep in mind that the texture of the shrimp may become softer as it sits in the sauce.
To reheat honey garlic shrimp, you can either microwave it for a minute or two or reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. If you find the sauce has thickened too much, you can add a little bit of water or chicken broth to thin it out while reheating.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe Top tips
- Use fresh shrimp: Whenever possible, use fresh shrimp rather than frozen shrimp, as it will have a better flavor and texture.
- Don't overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cooks very quickly and can become tough and rubbery if overcooked. Cook the shrimp until it turns pink and opaque, but be careful not to overdo it.
- Use real honey: Use real honey in the recipe rather than a honey substitute or honey-flavored syrup. This will give your dish a more authentic and delicious flavor.
- Add some heat: If you like spicy food, consider adding some red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeno pepper to the recipe for a little bit of extra heat.
- Serve it with rice: Honey garlic shrimp goes great with rice. Serve it over steamed rice or fried rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Use fresh garlic: Using fresh garlic rather than pre-minced garlic will give your dish a more vibrant and intense garlic flavor.
- Let the sauce thicken: Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes after adding the shrimp to allow it to thicken and coat the shrimp well.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This recipe features succulent shrimp marinated in a sweet and savory blend of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger, cooked to perfection in olive oil, and served over rice with a delightful garnish of sesame seeds and scallions.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of shrimp
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1 cup cooked rice
- Optional: Sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger. Divide the marinade into two separate bowls.
- Place the shrimp in a bowl and pour half of the marinade over them. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, leaving the remaining mixture aside.
- After 30 minutes, heat olive oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp to the pan, avoiding pouring excess juice. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Use tongs to flip each shrimp individually.
- Once the shrimp are flipped and have cooked for three minutes, pour in the rest of the marinade, stir, and then remove from heat.
- Serve the sticky garlic honey shrimp over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp: Whenever possible, use fresh shrimp rather than frozen shrimp, as it will have a better flavor and texture.
- Don't overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cooks very quickly and can become tough and rubbery if overcooked. Cook the shrimp until it turns pink and opaque, but be careful not to overdo it.
- Use real honey: Use real honey in the recipe rather than a honey substitute or honey-flavored syrup. This will give your dish a more authentic and delicious flavor.
- Add some heat: If you like spicy food, consider adding some red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeno pepper to the recipe for a little bit of extra heat.
- Serve it with rice: Honey garlic shrimp goes great with rice. Serve it over steamed rice or fried rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Use fresh garlic: Using fresh garlic rather than pre-minced garlic will give your dish a more vibrant and intense garlic flavor.
- Let the sauce thicken: Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes after adding the shrimp to allow it to thicken and coat the shrimp well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauteeing
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 244
- Sugar: 15.1 g
- Sodium: 683 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.6 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 35.3 g
- Cholesterol: 258.4 mg
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Annie S
This shrimp was SO SO good!