There’s something so satisfying about the blend of sweet and savory in this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe. It’s like a little burst of flavor magic you can whip up faster than you can decide what to make for dinner. The best part? It’s incredibly simple but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it.

A white bowl is filled halfway with fluffy white rice, topped with a generous layer of shiny orange shrimp coated in a thick, glossy sauce. The shrimp are arranged closely, showing a slight char and garnished with small green onion pieces scattered across the top. Wooden chopsticks rest on the right edge of the bowl, with a white marbled surface in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe quickly became a favorite of mine because it delivers big on flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights or even impressing friends without breaking a sweat.

Speedy Prep and Cook Time: You’ll have dinner on the table in under 10 minutes, which feels like a miracle some nights.
Simple Ingredients: Most of these are pantry staples — no hunting down weird sauces or spices needed.
Versatility: This dish pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or even a salad, so you can make it your own.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The honey brings sweetness, garlic adds punch, and a hint of chili flakes gives it a gentle kick.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role — from texture to taste — creating a mouthwatering dish that's both quick and full of depth. Here’s how each piece matters and a few shopping tips along the way.

Flat lay of fresh peeled and deveined raw shrimp with a pinkish translucent color, a small white bowl of light soy sauce, a small white bowl of fine white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl of golden honey, a few fresh garlic cloves with papery skin partially peeled, a small mound of fresh grated ginger root with light tan skin, a small white bowl of vibrant red chili flakes, two fresh green onions with long green stalks and white bulbs, and a small white bowl filled with clear golden vegetable oil, all arranged symmetrically and neatly on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shrimp: Always go for peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience—medium or large works best for a satisfying bite.
Light Soy Sauce: Adds a subtle salty depth without overpowering the sweetness of the honey.
Cornstarch: This key player ‘velvets’ the shrimp, sealing in moisture and giving them a tender texture.
Vegetable Oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point to avoid burning the garlic and ginger.
Garlic: Fresh garlic mince brings brightness and that irresistible savory punch.
Ginger Paste: Or freshly grated ginger—this adds warmth and a hint of zing that balances the sweetness.
Honey: The star sweetener here, it coats the shrimp, caramelizing slightly and creating a sticky, delicious glaze.
Chilli Flakes (optional): For anyone who loves a touch of heat, these pack a mild but pleasant punch.
Green Onions: The fresh garnish that adds color, crunch, and a mild onion flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Over the years, I’ve loved tweaking this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe to suit whatever mood or occasion I’m cooking for. Don’t hesitate to experiment! You might find your signature spin on it.

Variation: I often add a splash of lime juice at the end for a tangy twist that brightens up the dish beautifully—give it a try if you enjoy a bit of citrus zing.
For Spice Lovers: Adding fresh chopped chili instead of flakes amps up the heat and freshens the flavor.
Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep salt levels in check, perfect if you’re mindful of sodium intake.
Vegetarian Swap: Try firm tofu cubes in place of shrimp, just pan-fry and glaze them the same way for a plant-based alternative.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

A white bowl on a white marbled surface is filled halfway with fluffy white rice and topped with a pile of golden shrimp coated in a sticky, orange sauce with a few red chili flakes visible. Bright green sliced scallions are scattered over the shrimp, adding a fresh contrast. To the right side of the bowl, a pair of wooden chopsticks with a green and brown pattern rest on the edge. The background shows a beige cloth and a green bowl with edamame beans out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: The All-Important Velveting

Start by mixing the soy sauce and cornstarch in a bowl, then toss your shrimp in until they’re evenly coated. This step is like a protective jacket that keeps the shrimp tender and juicy when cooked quickly. I never skip this because it seriously makes the shrimp feel silky, almost restaurant quality at home.

Step 2: Quick Aromatics Sizzle

Heat your vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat, then toss in the minced garlic and ginger paste. Just 30 seconds here — you want them fragrant but not burned. I keep the heat moderate because garlic turns bitter if it browns too fast, and that ruins the whole vibe.

Step 3: Shrimp Showtime

Add in the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side. Those seconds fly by, so watch carefully; you’re aiming for pink and opaque shrimp with a slight sear. Overcooking tends to make shrimp rubbery — a quick cook is your best friend here.

Step 4: Sweet & Spicy Finish

Pour the honey over the shrimp along with chili flakes if you’re using them. Toss everything gently to coat the shrimp in that luscious glaze, then remove from heat immediately. The sauce thickens nicely without burning if you act quickly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a mild crunch and fresh aroma. Serve right away over fluffy rice or with your favorite sides—this dish is best enjoyed hot to savor that sticky glaze at its peak.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few little tweaks make a world of difference with this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls and elevate the dish effortlessly.

Velveting Matters: Don’t skip the cornstarch and soy sauce coating step; it guarantees tender shrimp rather than rubbery bites.
Don’t Burn the Garlic: Garlic cooks fast and gets bitter fast—keep the heat moderate and watch closely.
Honey Timing: Add the honey off the heat to stop it from caramelizing too much or burning, keeping the flavor nicely balanced.
Fresh Garnishes: The green onions bring freshness; skipping them makes the dish lose a little of its vibrancy.

How to Serve Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

honey garlic shrimp - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always go for sliced green onions because they add color and a really nice mild onion flavor that cuts through the richness of the honey glaze. Sometimes, I throw on a few sesame seeds for a subtle nuttiness and extra crunch — it’s a small touch but lovely.

Side Dishes

This shrimp pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up every drop of that sweet sauce. I also like serving it with stir-fried veggies like snap peas and bell peppers for a quick balanced meal. Or toss it over a bed of fresh greens to turn it into a warm salad on chillier evenings.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served this honey garlic shrimp skewered with pineapple chunks—those bites were an unexpected hit. Another fun idea is to place the shrimp on crispy wonton chips for an easy appetizer that looks gorgeous on a platter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for about 2 days, though I always try to eat them sooner because the texture is best fresh. Make sure the shrimp have cooled before sealing the container to avoid steam making them soggy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cooked honey garlic shrimp successfully when portioned in freezer bags. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. Note that freezing might slightly affect the texture, so it’s not quite as good as fresh but still tasty for a quick meal.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is quickly in a non-stick pan on medium heat for a couple of minutes, just until warmed through. Microwaving works but tends to overcook shrimp quickly, so keep an eye on it if you go that route to avoid rubbery bites.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before starting. This helps avoid extra moisture interfering with the velveting and cooking process.

What’s the best way to avoid overcooking shrimp?

Shrimp cook very quickly, usually 1-2 minutes per side, depending on size. Watch for them turning opaque and pink—once that happens, take them off the heat immediately to avoid rubbery texture.

Can I add vegetables to this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe?

Yes! I often stir-fry snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli alongside the shrimp. Add them after the aromatics, starting with harder veggies first. Just adjust cooking times so everything stays crisp-tender.

How spicy is the recipe if I add chili flakes?

The chili flakes add a mild warming heat that complements the sweetness without overpowering it. You can easily adjust the amount or leave them out if you prefer no spice.

Final Thoughts

This Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe feels like the little kitchen secret I’m always excited to share with friends. It’s just the kind of dish that brings a smile with every bite—simple yet packed with flavor, ready in a flash when you need a dependable, delicious meal. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and it becomes a staple in your dinner rotation too.