If you’ve ever wanted a quick, delicious dish that packs a punch of flavor, the 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is here to save your dinner plans. Sweet, garlicky, and buttery shrimp come together in no time, making it an absolute weekday winner for busy home cooks craving something fresh and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fast to Prepare: Perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without the wait.
- Flavor Explosion: The honey and garlic combo creates a luscious glaze that clings beautifully to the shrimp.
- Versatile Meal: Goes wonderfully with rice, noodles, or steamed veggies to suit your mood.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses staples you probably already have, making it accessible and budget-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role to balance sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. From the golden honey that caramelizes to soy sauce’s rich umami, these essentials come together effortlessly for that perfect glaze and texture.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, sticky sauce that coats every shrimp perfectly.
- Soy Sauce: Brings a salty depth, preferably reduced sodium to keep things balanced but still flavorful.
- Garlic: The star aromatic that delivers that unmistakable punch of savoriness and warmth.
- Fresh Ginger (optional): Adds a subtle zing and extra dimension, but you can skip if you don’t have it on hand.
- Shrimp: Medium-sized, peeled, and deveined for the best texture and easy eating.
- Olive Oil: For searing, ensuring the shrimp cook beautifully without sticking.
- Green Onions (optional): A fresh garnish for a pop of color and mild onion flavor.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Variations
One of the joys of this 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is how customizable it is! You can tweak based on what you have on hand or dietary needs — it’s all about making it your own without fuss.
- Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade for heat that wakes up your taste buds.
- Vegetable Boost: Toss in steamed snap peas or bell peppers while cooking for extra crunch and color.
- Low-Sodium Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free and lower sodium version.
- Herbal Upgrade: Finish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for a bright herbal note.
How to Make 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Start by whisking honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and optional ginger in a bowl. This luscious combination will double as your marinade and glaze, infusing the shrimp with irresistible flavor and a touch of sweetness.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Place your peeled and deveined shrimp into a large sealable bag or container, then pour half of your marinade over the top. Give everything a good shake or stir to coat each shrimp evenly. Let them chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes—this brief soak is what makes each bite burst with flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully lay your shrimp in one by one (discard the used marinade). As they turn pink and start curling—about 45 seconds—flip them over. Pour in the reserved marinade and cook for one to two more minutes until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Serve your beautiful shrimp immediately, spooning over the sticky honey garlic sauce and sprinkling some chopped green onions for freshness and a pop of color. It’s a total crowd-pleaser that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
Pro Tips for Making 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: They cook quickly, so watch closely to keep them tender and juicy instead of rubbery.
- Marinate Just Right: Fifteen minutes is perfect; longer marinades work too but avoid overly acidic mixtures that can “cook” the shrimp.
- Use Medium Heat: High heat can burn the sauce, so medium-high is ideal for achieving that balance of caramelized sauce without scorching.
- Prep Sides Early: While shrimp marinates, steam your veggies or cook rice to save time and have everything ready together.
How to Serve 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
Chopped green onions add a crisp bite and lovely color contrast, but feel free to experiment with toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, or even a wedge of lime for a zesty finish that brightens the entire dish.
Side Dishes
This honey garlic shrimp shines when paired with fluffy brown rice, steamed broccoli, or a quick medley of sauteed snow peas and carrots. Light, simple sides let the shrimp be the star while adding nutritional balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve over a bed of spiralized zucchini noodles or toss with buttered noodles and a sprinkle of parmesan. Serving in lettuce wraps offers a fresh, hand-held option that’s especially great for casual dinners or appetizers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To keep the shrimp juicy and flavorful, pour in a little bit of the reserved sauce before sealing to avoid drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked shrimp coated with sauce, but it’s best eaten within a month for optimal freshness. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low-medium heat or microwave in short bursts to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Adding a splash of water or broth while reheating helps keep the shrimp moist and succulent.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before marinating to ensure the flavors stick well and the shrimp cook evenly.
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What can I substitute for soy sauce if I have dietary restrictions?
Try coconut aminos for a gluten-free and lower-sodium option—it’s a great substitute that maintains the umami quality without the allergens.
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How do I prevent the sauce from burning during cooking?
Using medium-high heat and adding the reserved marinade only after flipping the shrimp helps prevent burning. Stir gently to evenly coat shrimp without scorching the sauce.
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Can I make this dish vegan?
While shrimp can’t be substituted directly, you can use firm tofu or large mushrooms marinated in the same honey garlic sauce for a plant-based alternative that captures similar flavors.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like the combo of sweet, garlicky, tender shrimp whipped up in just 20 minutes. This 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe feels like a special treat but is so easy to make you might find yourself craving it weekly. Give it a try—you’ll love how quickly this delicious dish becomes a staple in your kitchen!
Print20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
This 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines simple ingredients like honey, soy sauce, and garlic, marinated and then sautéed to juicy perfection. Serve it over brown rice or with steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Marinade and Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (preferably reduced sodium)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
Main
- 1 lb medium uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Optional for garnish: chopped green onion
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced fresh ginger (if using) in a medium bowl. This mixture will be split into two halves – one for marinating the shrimp and the other for cooking.
- Marinate Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp into a large sealable container or zip-top bag. Pour half of the marinade over the shrimp, toss or shake to coat evenly, then refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 8-12 hours. Store the remaining marinade covered in the refrigerator for cooking.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove shrimp from marinade, discarding the marinade used for soaking. Place shrimp in the skillet and cook on one side until they turn pink, about 45 seconds. Flip shrimp over and pour in the reserved marinade. Continue cooking until shrimp are fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly, approximately 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve: Plate the shrimp along with the cooked marinade sauce. Garnish with chopped green onion if desired. This dish pairs excellently with steamed broccoli and brown rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinate shrimp for at least 15 minutes but no longer than 12 hours for best texture and flavor.
- Discard the marinade used for soaking shrimp to avoid contamination but reserve the second half for cooking.
- The sauce thickens as it cooks, coating the shrimp beautifully.
- Optional fresh ginger adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor.
- Serve immediately after cooking for optimal taste and texture.
- For a low-sodium version, use reduced sodium soy sauce.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger servings.
