If you’re looking for a quick, super satisfying dish that’s bursting with flavor and wonderfully easy to whip up, this Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is an absolute winner. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time — sweet, garlicky, with just a hint of spice if you want it. Whether you need a speedy weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer to impress guests, stick around because this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and foolproof.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Fast and Easy: You’ll have dinner on the table in just 10 minutes, perfect for hectic nights.
Balanced Flavors: The sweet honey pairs insanely well with punchy garlic and a little zing from ginger.
Tender and Juicy Shrimp: The velveting technique locks in moisture so your shrimp stay succulent every bite.
Versatile Dish: Serve it as a main over rice or noodles, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

A white bowl filled with a single layer of cooked shrimp coated in a shiny, orange glaze that has small bits of red and brown spices scattered throughout. The shrimp are light orange with some slightly darker charred spots. Bright green thin slices of scallions are sprinkled on top and over the shrimp. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Honey Garlic Shrimp, Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe, easy shrimp dinner, quick seafood dish, flavorful shrimp recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic here comes from combining a few key players that bring out the best in shrimp. Plus, you probably already have most of these in your pantry, which makes it even easier. Quick tip — fresh garlic and good-quality fresh ginger really make this shine, but if you’re in a pinch, pre-minced versions work too.

Flat lay of a small pile of fresh peeled and deveined shrimp, a few whole garlic cloves with papery skins intact, a small mound of grated ginger root, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, another small white bowl holding light soy sauce, a third small white bowl with white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl containing clear vegetable oil, a pinch of red chili flakes arranged neatly on the surface, and two whole green onions with fresh bright green tops and white bulbs, all arranged symmetrically with perfect balance, placed 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 - Honey Garlic Shrimp, Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe, easy shrimp dinner, quick seafood dish, flavorful shrimp recipe

Shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp are best so you don’t have to deal with shells and can dive right in.
Light soy sauce: Adds a salty, savory depth without overpowering the sweetness.
Cornstarch: This is the secret behind velveting shrimp to keep it juicy and tender.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil with high smoke point perfect for quick sautéing.
Garlic: Fresh cloves packed with flavor; don’t skimp here.
Ginger paste or fresh grated ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy aroma that makes the whole dish pop.
Honey: The star ingredient giving that luscious, sticky sweetness you’ll crave.
Chilli flakes (optional): For a gentle spicy kick, but feel free to skip if you prefer mild flavors.
Green onions: Fresh garnish that adds a light crunch and color contrast.

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.

Variations

I love how you can tweak this Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe to suit your mood or pantry. Sometimes I jazz it up with a pop of fresh herbs, or swap the soy sauce for tamari to keep it gluten-free. You can also adjust the chili flakes depending on how spicy you like it — mild to fiery is all welcome here.

Spicy Kick: Adding sriracha or fresh chili slices amps up the heat—my family goes crazy for this version when they want bold flavors.
Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, and cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, so it stays safe for those avoiding gluten.
Vegetarian Swap: Try tofu cubes or even cauliflower florets to soak up that honey garlic sauce for a meat-free twist I’ve personally enjoyed.
Herb Infusion: Toss in some chopped cilantro or basil at the end for freshness and color—I do this whenever I’m feeling fancy.

How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Step 1: Velveting the Shrimp to Perfection

First up, combine the light soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium bowl. This velveting method is what keeps the shrimp juicy and tender—you’ll love how this little trick elevates the dish. Toss your peeled and deveined shrimp in this mixture until nicely coated, then set aside while you prepare the pan. I discovered this trick years ago when I wanted my shrimp to taste more restaurant-style at home!

Step 2: Sautéing Garlic and Ginger Just Right

Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Mince your garlic cloves and add them in with the ginger paste or grated ginger. The key here is to cook the garlic and ginger for no longer than 30 seconds—you want their flavor to bloom without burning, which can make your dish bitter. The aroma at this stage is heavenly, and it’s a sign you’re on the right track.

Step 3: Cooking the Shrimp to Tenderness

Now add your shrimp to the pan. Depending on their size, cook about 1-2 minutes on each side. You’ll see them turn pink and curl up, which is your cue. Don’t overcook — shrimp become rubbery fast, and we want tender, juicy shrimp here. Once cooked through, you’re almost done!

Step 4: Adding Honey and Optional Spice

Pour in the honey and sprinkle chili flakes if you’re using them. Toss everything lovingly to coat the shrimp evenly with that glossy, sticky sauce. This step is quick—just a few seconds—and then take the pan off the heat immediately to preserve that fresh, bright flavor. Garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color and mild onion crunch.

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Pro Tips for Making Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Don’t Skip Velveting: This simple preparation keeps your shrimp juicy and tender—trust me, it makes a world of difference.
Watch the Garlic Closely: Garlic turns bitter fast; cook until fragrant but don’t let it brown.
Use Medium Heat: High heat can cook shrimp too fast and burn the sauce; medium heat keeps control.
Add Honey Last: Pour it in towards the end to avoid caramelizing too much and turning bitter.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

A white bowl filled with a bed of fluffy white rice as the bottom layer, topped with a generous pile of shiny, orange-brown glazed shrimp with small green herb pieces sprinkled on top. The shrimp have a glossy texture and look juicy, with bits of red spices visible. On the right edge of the bowl, placed on the rice, are a pair of wooden chopsticks. The background is a soft white marble surface with a blurred beige cloth and some greenery faintly visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Honey Garlic Shrimp, Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe, easy shrimp dinner, quick seafood dish, flavorful shrimp recipe

Garnishes

I always sprinkle sliced green onions on top—the fresh, mild crunch contrasts perfectly with the sticky, sweet shrimp. Sometimes I add a few toasted sesame seeds too for a subtle nutty crunch that my family loves. If you want an extra fresh touch, chopped cilantro can brighten things up beautifully.

Side Dishes

I usually serve my Honey Garlic Shrimp over fluffy steamed jasmine rice or soba noodles. Occasionally, I pile it on a bed of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal. For a lighter side, a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar adds welcome acidity against the sweet sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try serving the shrimp in mini lettuce cups topped with avocado slices and a squeeze of lime—it’s refreshing and fun to eat. Another idea is to skewer the shrimp and drizzle the honey garlic glaze on top right before serving, making a fantastic party appetizer that everyone raves about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Honey Garlic Shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge and try to eat it within 2 days. The shrimp stay flavorful, though the sauce might thicken up a bit. It rewarmed just right still hits the spot.

Freezing

Freezing shrimp in this sauce isn’t my top recommendation because texture changes, but if you must, freeze quickly after cooking in a freezer-safe container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and keep shrimp tender. Avoid microwaving if you can since it can make shrimp rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before starting the recipe. Removing excess moisture helps the sauce stick better and prevents soggy shrimp.
How spicy is this dish?

It’s naturally mild unless you add the optional chili flakes. You can adjust the heat to your liking by adding more or less chili or skipping it altogether for a sweeter, milder flavor.
What does “velveting” shrimp mean?

Velveting is a Chinese cooking technique where you coat the shrimp in a mixture like soy sauce and cornstarch before cooking. It creates a protective layer that keeps the shrimp tender and juicy, preventing them from drying out during the quick sauté.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the shrimp with the soy sauce and cornstarch mixture ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for a few hours before cooking. Just don’t add the honey and cook fresh for best flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is one of those dishes I keep returning to because it’s just that easy and reliable. Every time I make it, I get comments on how juicy the shrimp are and how perfectly balanced the sauce tastes. It’s a sneaky little recipe that feels special but comes together in minutes — perfect for when you want a fuss-free meal that still wows. You’re going to enjoy making it and sharing it as much as I do, so go ahead, give it a try and watch it become a fast favorite in your kitchen too!