There’s something so irresistible about the sweet and savory combo in this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe—it hits all the right notes in under 10 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel like a treat without the fuss.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I swear, this recipe has become one of my top go-tos when I want something fast but still feel like I’m treating myself. It’s packed with bold garlic and ginger flavors and that lovely honey sweetness that just clings to every shrimp perfectly.
- Speedy prep: You get dinner on the table in about 10 minutes flat—perfect for busy evenings.
- Velveting technique: Tossing shrimp with cornstarch and soy sauce keeps them silky tender instead of rubbery.
- Simple ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, making this super convenient.
- Versatile flavors: Whether served over rice or tossed in a salad, it’s delicious every way you try it.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a key role here—soy sauce and cornstarch protect the shrimp’s texture, while garlic, ginger, and honey create a flavor punch that’s simultaneously sweet, savory, and slightly spicy if you go for the chili flakes.
- Shrimp: Peeled and deveined for easy cooking and eating, shrimp are quick to cook and soak up flavors beautifully.
- Light soy sauce: Adds umami depth without overpowering the dish.
- Cornstarch: The secret to velveting—this stops the shrimp from drying out or getting tough.
- Vegetable oil: Neutral oil with a high smoke point perfect for quick frying.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic brings that sharp pungency that cuts through the sweetness.
- Ginger paste: Adds a warm, zesty kick that lifts the flavor.
- Honey: The star sweetener that balances garlic and ginger with a natural smoothness.
- Chili flakes (optional): For a subtle heat that makes the dish more exciting.
- Green onions: Fresh garnish for a mild onion crunch and color contrast.
Make It Your Way
This Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is more than just quick—it’s a great base to make your own. I often switch up the heat level or add a splash of lime juice at the end for some brightness.
- Spicy twist: I’ve added sriracha or fresh chopped chilies before and loved that fiery kick.
- Herb upgrade: A handful of chopped cilantro or basil stirred in right at the end really freshens things up.
- Vegetable add-ins: Toss in snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli for a one-pan meal that’s colorful and crunchy.
- Gluten-free tweak: Swap soy sauce for tamari to keep this recipe gluten-free without losing flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Velveting the Shrimp to Perfection
First things first, mix the light soy sauce with cornstarch in a medium bowl—this simple combo will coat your shrimp and keep them silky. Toss the shrimp well, then set them aside while you prep your aromatics. Trust me, this little extra step makes a huge difference in juicy shrimp every time.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Ginger Aromatics
Heat your vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add your minced garlic and ginger paste, and sauté for just about 30 seconds. This quick cook releases their intense flavors without burning—so keep an eye on the pan and stir constantly.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp Just Right
Next, add the shrimp to your pan. Cook 1–2 minutes on each side depending on size — you’re aiming for a pink, opaque color and a slight sear. Overcooking is the enemy here, so once you see the shrimp shape curl and color, you’re good to go.
Step 4: Coat with Honey and Chili Flakes
Finally, pour in the honey and add chili flakes if you want that little spicy zing. Toss everything gently to coat the shrimp before immediately taking the pan off the heat—too much cooking at this stage can turn the honey bitter.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions for freshness and crunch. Serve it steaming hot over fluffy rice or alongside your favorite greens, and savor the magic you just whipped up!
Top Tip
After making this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that elevate it from good to wow-worthy—things that make the process smoother and the flavors pop.
- Velvet your shrimp: Don’t skip the cornstarch-soy sauce toss—it locks in moisture and creates a delicate texture that’s hard to beat.
- Garlic timing: Be super quick sautéing garlic and ginger to avoid bitterness; 30 seconds max is plenty.
- Use a non-stick pan: It helps the honey glaze spread evenly and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Remove from heat promptly: Adding honey off-heat prevents caramelizing too much and keeps things saucy and shiny.
How to Serve Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this dish with fresh green onions for a pop of color and mild bite. Sometimes I'll throw on a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or chopped cilantro for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
For sides, I usually serve it over steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up the sticky honey garlic sauce perfectly. Roasted or sautéed veggies like broccoli or snap peas also add a wonderful crunch and balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I've served this shrimp over a bed of zoodles (zucchini noodles) and garnished with edible flowers and microgreens—such a beautiful, fresh presentation that impressed guests without any extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The shrimp stay moist and flavorful if reheated gently.
Freezing
This recipe freezes okay, but I prefer to freeze the shrimp separately before tossing with the sauce because the honey glaze can change texture after thawing. Just freeze cooked shrimp on a tray, then transfer to a bag.
Reheating
When reheating, warm your shrimp gently in a pan over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep the glaze from sticking and drying out. It only takes a minute or two to warm through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat dry before velveting with soy sauce and cornstarch. This helps the shrimp cook evenly and results in a better texture.
Fresh grated ginger works great as a substitute. If you don’t have fresh ginger, a small pinch of ground ginger can work in a pinch, but fresh or paste is best for that bright flavor.
The base recipe isn’t spicy, but adding the optional chili flakes gives a mild kick. You can adjust the chili amount to your heat preference, or leave them out entirely for a sweeter dish.
Yes! Swap the light soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free as well.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe really feels like a little victory on busy days—it’s fast, flavorful, and comforting. I love how effortlessly it elevates simple ingredients into something special, and I’m excited for you to give it a try and make it your own family favorite too.
Print
Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp velvetted with soy sauce and cornstarch, then cooked with garlic, ginger, honey, and a hint of chili flakes. Perfect for a speedy dinner or an impressive appetizer served over rice or on its own.
Ingredients
Shrimp Marinade
- 450 g shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste (or grated ginger)
- 4 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions (sliced for garnish)
Instructions
- Velvet the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the light soy sauce and cornstarch, then add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Toss well to coat evenly. Set aside to allow the shrimp to absorb the marinade, which helps keep the shrimp tender during cooking.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger paste, cooking for no longer than 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the marinated shrimp to the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes on each side depending on shrimp size, until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
- Add Honey and Chili Flakes: Pour in the honey and sprinkle chili flakes if using. Toss to coat the shrimp thoroughly in the honey garlic sauce. Remove the pan from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions over the shrimp for freshness and serve immediately over rice or as a standalone starter.
Notes
- This recipe takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for quick meals.
- Velveting with soy sauce and cornstarch protects the shrimp from drying out and keeps them tender.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a mild version.
- Serve the shrimp over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- You can substitute shrimp with chicken breast slices for a similar dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 256 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 1138 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 286 mg
Leave a Reply