Quick & Easy Dinner: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp

Quick & flavorful honey garlic shrimp ready in 15 mins! Perfect for easy dinners with rice, veggies, and a sticky-sweet glaze.

honey garlic shrimp

When life gets busy, dinner often becomes an afterthought—but it doesn’t have to be that way. With this Quick & Easy 15 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe, you can get a flavorful, satisfying meal on the table with minimal effort. This dish brings together the sweetness of honey, the savory umami from soy sauce, and the boldness of fresh garlic and ginger—all cooked into tender shrimp in just minutes. It’s a weeknight lifesaver that tastes like it came from your favorite Asian-inspired restaurant.

Whether you’re cooking for your family or just need a solo dinner that doesn’t involve frozen pizza, this saucy shrimp recipe has your back. All you need is a handful of ingredients, a hot skillet, and 15 minutes. It pairs perfectly with brown rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist. It’s a versatile base for stir-fried veggies and makes excellent leftover shrimp for lunch the next day. Plus, the yummy sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to lick the plate.


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fast & Flavorful: This main dish comes together in just 15 minutes—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
  • Few Ingredients: You probably have most of these pantry staples already: soy sauce, honey, fresh garlic, and oil.
  • Versatile & Customizable: Swap soy sauce with coconut aminos for a gluten-free version, add red pepper flakes for spice, or skip the fish sauce if you want a simpler flavor.
  • Better Than Takeout: The balance of sweet, savory, and tangy is restaurant-quality—but healthier and faster.

ingredients in honey garlic shrimp

A Breakdown of the Ingredients

Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters in this honey garlic shrimp recipe:

  • 1.5 lbs raw shrimp, deveined: Be sure to devein shrimp and peel them if desired. Fresh shrimp cooks quickly and absorbs flavor well.
  • 3 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce : For umami flavor without excessive saltiness.
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional): Adds depth and complexity, but feel free to omit if you prefer.
  • 2–3 tbsp cup honey: Brings sweetness and helps create that sticky glaze.
  • 2–3 cloves fresh garlic, minced: Essential for that classic honey garlic flavor.
  • 1–2 tsp ginger, grated: Bright and zingy—balances the sweetness of the honey.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil: For sautéing; olive oil is neutral, while sesame oil adds nuttiness.
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds: For crunch and garnish.
  • Green onions: Add freshness and color at the end.
  • Optional: lime or red pepper flakes for a citrusy or spicy kick.

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How to Make the Recipe

This is truly an easy recipe—you only need a few steps and a single medium bowl for the sauce mixture. Here’s how to make it:

1. Mix the Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, fish sauce (if using), cup honey, and grated ginger. Set aside.

2. Cook Garlic and Shrimp

Heat olive oil or sesame oil in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Add fresh garlic and sauté for 20–30 seconds—just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

Place shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Shrimp cook very fast—just 1-2 minutes per side until they start to turn pink. You may need an additional minute for larger shrimp.

3. Glaze the Shrimp

Pour in the sauce mixture and toss the shrimp to coat. Let everything cook together for another 1-2 minutes over medium heat, until the pan sauce thickens into a sticky glaze.

4. Garnish and Serve

Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately with your choice of jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.

honey garlic shrimp served over white rice

How to Store the Recipe

If you have leftover shrimp, allow them to cool before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or oil to loosen the glaze.

While you can technically freeze cooked shrimp, this dish is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated. Freezing can alter the texture of the glaze and make the shrimp rubbery.


Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Use Fresh or Thawed Shrimp: Avoid pre-cooked shrimp, which can get rubbery when reheated. If using frozen, thaw fully and pat dry.
  • Don’t Overcook: Shrimp are done when they’re pink and opaque. Overcooking leads to a chewy texture.
  • Watch the Garlic: Burnt garlic tastes bitter. Keep it moving in the pan and only cook for 20–30 seconds.
  • Make It a Meal: Serve over plain white rice with a side of stir-fried veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas.
  • Control the Sweetness: Taste the sauce before adding it to the skillet. You can reduce or increase the cup honey to suit your preference.

With just a handful of ingredients, this easy dinner comes together in less time than it takes to scroll for takeout options. Try it tonight and see why it’s become a go-to easy shrimp recipe in so many kitchens!


FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking. Waterlogged shrimp won’t sear properly.

What oil is best for this recipe?

Olive oil works great, but if you want more flavor, go for toasted sesame oil.

How do I make this gluten-free?

Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and double-check that your fish sauce is gluten-free (some brands aren’t).

Is fish sauce necessary?

Nope! It adds savory depth but the dish still shines without it.

What should I serve with honey garlic shrimp?

Great options include jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice, plus some stir-fried veggies for a balanced meal.

How can I make it spicier?

Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while the sauce is simmering.

Can I meal prep this?

Absolutely. It keeps well in an airtight container and reheats nicely for up to 3 days. Just don’t overcook it the first time around.


Check Out These Easy Entrée

honey garlic shrimp served over white rice

Quick & Easy Dinner: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp

Quick & flavorful honey garlic shrimp ready in 15 mins! Perfect for easy dinners with rice, veggies, and a sticky-sweet glaze.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 222 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs raw shrimp deveined, peeled if desired
  • 3 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 Tbsp oil neutral or sesame
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • Green onion chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, and ginger. Set aside.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.Add garlic and sauté for 20–30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn).Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side until just turning pink
  • Pour the sauce mixture over the shrimp.Toss and cook for 1–2 minutes, letting the sauce bubble and reduce slightly into a sticky glaze.
  • Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 25gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 214mgSodium: 1749mgPotassium: 273mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 307IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 1mg
Keyword fish, ginger, glaze, pan cooked, sesame
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