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.
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.
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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 quick and flavorful 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe combines tender shrimp with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, enhanced by ginger and a touch of chili. Perfect as a main dish served over rice or as a delicious starter, it requires minimal prep and cooks swiftly for a satisfying meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Shrimp Marinade
- 450 g shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Sauce and Cooking
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste (or grated ginger)
- 4 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 green onions (sliced)
Instructions
- Marinate Shrimp. In a medium bowl, combine the light soy sauce and cornstarch, then add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp thoroughly and set aside while preparing other ingredients. This process, known as velveting, helps protect the shrimp from drying out during cooking.
- Cook Garlic and Ginger. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger paste, cooking for no longer than 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- Cook Shrimp. Add the marinated shrimp to the pan, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes on each side depending on their size until they turn pink and opaque.
- Add Honey and Chili. Pour in 4 tablespoons of honey and sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes if using. Toss the shrimp gently to coat evenly with the sauce and immediately remove from heat to prevent the honey from burning.
- Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the shrimp for a fresh garnish. Serve the honey garlic shrimp over steamed rice or enjoy as a flavorful starter.
Notes
- This dish comes together in under 10 minutes, making it ideal for a quick weeknight meal.
- You can substitute light soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free alternative.
- Adjust chilli flakes according to your heat preference or omit for a mild taste.
- For added texture, serve with steamed vegetables or a side salad.
- If fresh ginger is unavailable, ground ginger powder can be used as a substitute, about ½ teaspoon.
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
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