If you want a fast and tasty meal, this honey garlic shrimp is a great choice. It is full of flavor and easy to make at home. The sauce is rich, sticky, and full of sweet and savory taste. You only need a few simple ingredients, but the result feels special and better than takeout.
This honey garlic shrimp is so good because it has the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness. The honey adds a smooth sweet taste, while the garlic and soy sauce bring a deep savory flavor. It cooks very quickly, which makes it perfect for busy days, but marinating the shrimp for at least one hour is very important. This helps the shrimp soak up all the flavor and makes every bite delicious.
Pair this honey garlic shrimp with these simple and tasty sautéed green beans with garlic, garlic-lemon sautéed broccolini, or sautéed kale sides,
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Why You Will Love This Easy honey garlic Recipe:
This recipe is not only tasty but also healthy. Shrimp is high in protein, so it helps keep you full and strong. It is also a great meal for kids because the sweet flavor makes it fun and easy to eat. The soft texture and rich sauce make it a favorite for the whole family.
Ingredients:
- Shrimp. Main protein of the dish. It cooks fast and stays juicy. I used large wild shrimp, about 16 to 20 per pound. They are peeled and deveined, with the tail left on.
- Honey. Adds natural sweetness and helps create a sticky sauce.
- Garlic and ginger. Gives a strong and rich flavor that makes the dish stand out.
- Soy sauce. Adds saltiness and deep savory taste.
- Lime zest and lime juice. The lime zest and juice add a fresh, light taste that balances the strong sweetness from the honey.
- Olive oil. Used for cooking and adds a smooth rich texture.
- Broth or Water. Balances the sauce and helps mix everything together.
- Red pepper flakes. Adds a touch of heat and boost the overall flavor.
- Green onions. Adds fresh taste and color for topping.
How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp:
Prepare the stir fry sauce
Mix the sauce In a small bowl, mix all the stir-fry sauce ingredients for the stir fry. Set it aside for later.
Marinate the shrimp
Marinate the shrimp In a bowl, combine the shrimp with the marinade ingredients. Let it sit for at least one hour or overnight for deeper flavor. After marinating, drain the extra sauce and gently pat the shrimp dry.
Cook the shrimp
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for about 2- to 3 minutes until they start to turn pink and slightly golden.
Add the sauce
Add a small amount of broth to lift the bits from the pan, then pour in the prepared sauce. Cook until the sauce becomes thick and glossy, coating the shrimp well. Remove from the heat, sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve warm.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe:
- Marinate shrimp for at least one hour for best flavor.
- Extra large shrimp stay juicy and have a better texture when cooked. Keeping the tail on also adds more flavor and makes the dish look more appealing.
- I used low sodium soy sauce to add saltiness and deep savory taste. If you like you can use regular soy sauce or even tamari sauce.
- To get a beautiful caramelized and slightly charred color on the shrimp, use a cast iron skillet. It holds heat very well and helps the shrimp cook evenly while creating a rich golden surface. This adds extra flavor and makes the shrimp look more appetizing.
- Do not overcook shrimp or it may become tough. For smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time to prevent overcooking.
- Use fresh garlic for a stronger taste.
- For extra saucy shrimp, double the stir-fry sauce and broth, but keep the marinade sauce the same and don't over-reduce to avoid it becoming too sweet.
How to Store and Reheat:
Storing. Let the shrimp cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps keep the shrimp fresh and safe to eat.
Reheating. Reheat the shrimp in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through. Add a small splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also reheat it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, to avoid overcooking. For additional food safety guidance, please visit this website.
📖 Recipe
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Equipment
- a large cast iron skillet (12 inch)
- a spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra large or jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined) tails on or off, about 16-20 shrimps per pound
- 3 tablespoons honey (divided)
- 6 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce (divided) or use regular soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (divided)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (divided)
- ½ teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (divided)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- lime zest from one lime
- 3-4 tablespoons low-sodium chicken broth
- thinly sliced green onions (for serving)
Method
- Mix sauce: Stir 4 teaspoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ tablespoon of garlic, ½ teaspoon of ginger, and ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes in a small bowl; set aside.
- Marinate shrimp: Toss shrimp with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of honey, ½ tablespoon of garlic, ½ teaspoon of ginger, lime zest, lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Marinate in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook shrimp: Heat oil over medium-high. Cook shrimp 1.5 minutes until lightly browned, flip, then cook 1-1.5 minutes more until pink.
- Finish: Add a splash of broth and deglaze the pan, then add reserved marinade sauce. Cook until thick and glossy, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired. Garnish with green onions and serve with rice .
Rika says
Kid-friendly honey garlic shrimp with a perfect balance of sweet and savory, not too sweet or salty.