Name: Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 450 g shrimp (peeled and deveined); 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 3-4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tbsp ginger paste (or grated ginger); 4 tbsp honey; 1/4 tsp chilli flakes (optional); 2 green onions (sliced)

There's something irresistible about the sweet, savory, and garlicky harmony in this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe. It’s a flavorful dish that comes together so fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want a tasty dinner without fuss.

A white bowl filled halfway with white rice that has a soft texture, topped with a large pile of shiny cooked shrimp covered in a sticky orange sauce with small red chili flakes. The shrimp are slightly curled, glossy, and garnished with small green onion slices scattered over the top. A pair of wooden chopsticks rests on the bowl's edge. The bowl is on a white marbled surface with a soft blurred 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

I can't tell you how many times this quick honey garlic shrimp has saved me on hectic nights. It’s one of those dishes that feels super special but requires barely any prep or fancy ingredients. The balance of honey sweetness and garlic punch keeps me coming back for more.

Speedy and Simple: Takes just about 10 minutes from start to finish—ideal when time is tight.
Flavor Packed: The ginger, garlic, and honey combination delivers bold taste without complicated steps.
Versatile Protein: Shrimp cooks quickly and pairs well with various sides, so you can switch things up easily.
Great For Any Skill Level: Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned chef, this recipe is straightforward with reliable results.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a role in building that perfect balance of textures and flavors. You'll want to pick good-quality shrimp since they’re the star here, and the rest is all about layering simple, fresh flavors.

Flat lay of fresh peeled and deveined shrimp arranged neatly, a small white bowl of light soy sauce, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of cornstarch powder, a few cloves of whole garlic, a small pile of fresh grated ginger, a small white bowl filled with vegetable oil, a small white bowl with red chili flakes, and two fresh green onions sliced on a simple white ceramic plate 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

Shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp work best for quick cooking and easy eating; freshness makes a huge difference in flavor.
Light Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and saltiness without overpowering the honey glaze.
Cornstarch: Helps “velvet” the shrimp, creating a tender texture and slightly thickens the sauce.
Vegetable Oil: Perfect for high-heat cooking without adding strong flavors.
Garlic: The aromatic base that gives this dish its signature punch; fresh is always better than powdered here.
Ginger Paste: Adds warmth and subtle spice, enhancing the honey and garlic tones.
Honey: Brings the sweetness and sticky glaze that coats every shrimp beautifully.
Chilli Flakes (optional): A little heat balances the sweetness—feel free to adjust depending on your spice tolerance.
Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds color and a light onion crunch.

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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

One of the best things about this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to suit your tastes. I love experimenting with the heat level and sometimes swapping out honey for maple syrup for a different twist.

Variation: I once added a splash of lime juice right at the end—totally changed the vibe with a fresh citrus kick that brightened the whole dish.
Dietary modification: Use gluten-free tamari sauce instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free without sacrificing umami flavor.
Extra veggies: Toss in some snap peas or bell peppers for color and crunch—just toss them in at step two to keep them crisp.

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

A white bowl with two layers sits on a white marbled texture. The bottom layer is white rice with some green onion pieces scattered in it. The top layer has large shrimp covered in a shiny orange sauce with small red chili flakes, garnished with green onion slices spread evenly. Next to the bowl are brown wooden chopsticks with green patterns resting on the bowl's edge. In the background, there is a soft beige cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Velvet the Shrimp

Start by tossing your peeled and deveined shrimp in a mix of light soy sauce and cornstarch. This isn’t just a fancy step—it’s “velveting,” a Chinese cooking trick to keep shrimp juicy and tender. Let it sit while you prep everything else; it really seals in moisture and gives the shrimp a silky finish.

Step 2: Infuse the Oil with Garlic and Ginger

Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat, then quickly sauté minced garlic and ginger paste for about 30 seconds. Don’t let it cook longer or the garlic will burn and turn bitter—just enough to release those wonderful aromas.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp Beautifully

Add the shrimp and cook them for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, depending on their size. I keep a close eye here because shrimp go from perfectly cooked to rubbery in seconds. You're looking for a nice pink color and a slight curl—any longer and they get tough.

Step 4: Add Honey and Finish with a Toss

Once the shrimp are almost done, pour in honey and sprinkle chili flakes if you’re using them. Toss everything quickly to coat the shrimp evenly, then immediately take the pan off the heat. This prevents the honey from burning and keeps that sticky glaze just right.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top for freshness and color. Serve it over steamed rice or as a starter—both ways have me hooked every time.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks over time that really help nail this recipe consistently, so let me share the best ones with you.

Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Keep an eye on them—they cook fast and turn rubbery if you’re not careful. Remove from heat as soon as they turn pink and curl up.
Quick Sauté for Garlic and Ginger: Only about 30 seconds to keep garlic from burning and becoming bitter—a burnt clove will wreck the whole dish’s flavor for me.
Velveting is a Game-Changer: Tossing shrimp in soy sauce and cornstarch before cooking really locks in moisture and creates a silky texture you’ll notice every single bite.
Add Honey Last: Pour it in at the end and immediately take the pan off the heat to prevent burning the delicate honey glaze.

How to Serve Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish this dish with freshly sliced green onions—they add a sharp, bright contrast against the sweet and savory shrimp. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds is another favorite in my kitchen for a little extra crunch and nuttiness.

Side Dishes

This shrimp pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice to soak up every drop of that honey garlic sauce. Sometimes I throw together a simple cucumber salad or sautéed greens like bok choy to keep things fresh and light on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at parties, I’ve served this shrimp on skewers with chunks of pineapple or cherry tomatoes, drizzled with extra honey garlic sauce. It’s always a hit and looks fancy without the fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge and find it stays good for up to 2 days. Just know the texture softens a bit when reheated, so it’s best eaten fresh when you can.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cooked shrimp before, but honestly, it loses a little of its tender texture after thawing. If you plan to freeze, I recommend freezing raw shrimp seasoned with soy sauce and cornstarch instead, then cook fresh when ready.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I gently reheat the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or extra honey so they don’t dry out. Microwaving tends to make them rubbery, so the skillet is my go-to.

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. Excess moisture can prevent proper 'velveting' and affect the sauce's consistency.

What can I substitute for honey in this recipe?

You can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a similar sweetness and glaze effect. Keep in mind the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Is this recipe spicy?

It’s not inherently spicy unless you add the optional chili flakes. You can adjust or leave out the chili flakes based on your heat preference.

What side dishes go well with this shrimp?

Steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice are classic companions. For veggies, quick sautéed greens like bok choy or a crisp cucumber salad work beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe really holds a special place in my weekly dinner rotation because it’s fast, tasty, and so forgiving. It’s the kind of recipe I happily share with friends, knowing they’ll nail it and maybe even fall in love with the simple pleasures of cooking shrimp the right way. I hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do!