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Equal parts sublimely saucy and super simple to make, this recipe for Honey Garlic Shrimp requires just one skillet, 8 ingredients, and 20 minutes. Featuring succulent shrimp stir-fried in a sweet, savory, sticky, and subtly-spicy sauce infused with soy sauce and garlic, these honey glazed shrimp are ideal anytime— whether you serve them with toothpicks for an appetizer or piled them on a bed of rice or noodles for an easy meal, it’s a family-friendly dish everyone will love!

“Yesterday I cooked this with my girlfriend and I can say that this honey glazed shrimps are amazing, so delicious. Thank you for sharing this delight with us.”

– BOYAN
Overhead photo of freshly stir-fried honey garlic shrimp recipe in a black skillet.

Update: This recipe was originally published in January 2017. I made updates to the post below to include more information about this skillet honey shrimp recipe. Plus, I added a recipe video to show you how easy these garlic honey shrimp are to make! 

Table of Contents

About this honey garlic shrimp recipe

Ridiculously quick and easy, yet boldly flavorful, this honey garlic shrimp recipe is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner!

Imagine: plump, succulent shrimp stir-fried and glistening in a sticky sweet-and-spicy Asian sauce infused with honey, garlic, ginger, and lime, these honey glazed shrimp are sublimely saucy and fantastically flavorful.

Best of all, this recipe for honey and garlic shrimp uses 8 basic ingredients and can be ready—from prep to finish—in 20 minutes or less!

Serve them over rice for an easy weeknight dinner, stuff them in tortilla shells for taco Tuesday, scatter them over a salad for a wholesome meal, or serve them simply with toothpicks as a party appetizer. Regardless, these sticky shrimp are phenomenal and they’re going to be a hit however you serve them!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Delicious, Well-Rounded Flavor. Sticky honey lends beautiful sweetness, while the garlic and ginger brings aromatic flavor, cayenne adds a touch of heat, and the bright fresh lime juice rounds everything out.
  • Made with Simple Ingredients. There’s no weird or hard to pronounce ingredients, just 8 easy-to-find ingredients, like raw shrimp, honey, garlic, and ginger.
  • Quick and Easy to Prepare. This honey garlic shrimp recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners and hectic evenings at home.
  • Versatile and Customizable. Adjust the heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes, amp up the Asian flavor with Chinese 5 spice powder, or turn it into a shrimp stir fry by adding your favorite veggies. Serve the glazed shrimp over steamed rice, pile it high on noodles, or stuff it into lettuce wraps–this is a recipe that’s as versatile as it is delicious!
Overhead photo of raw shrimp, honey, two cloves of garlic, a whole lime, and spices neatly arranged on a kitchen counter.

What is honey glazed shrimp?

Honey garlic shrimp is a quick and easy American-Asian dish made of tender shrimp quickly stir-fried in a delicious garlic and honey mixture. The honey mixture doubles as both a flavorful marinade and a sticky sauce! While this easy recipe calls for stir-frying the shrimp, they can also be baked, fried or grilled depending on the recipe!

If you’re looking for more delicious and simple shrimp recipes, check out these fan favorites next: How to Cook Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp and Potato Recipe, Baked Shrimp Saganaki and Ceviche with Shrimp.

Angled photo of a pound of honey glazed shrimp in a black skillet.

Ingredients for honey garlic shrimp

  • Shrimp: I prefer large shrimp, but you can use any size uncooked shrimp you prefer. Fresh or frozen defrosted shrimp will work in this honey glazed shrimp recipe.
  • Oil: You need neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola, for the marinade and cooking.
  • Honey: Honey adds a lip-smacking-delicious sticky sweetness. Swap: agave nectar works great too.
  • Soy Sauce: I prefer reduced-sodium soy sauce so I can control the amount of salt. Swap: tamari is a fantastic substitute here.
  • Garlic: Two cloves of garlic provide the perfect hint of distinct, punchy flavor. If you love garlic, feel free to add more. And if you need help mincing, this tutorial walks you through how to cut cloves of garlic.
  • Lime: Freshly grated lime zest provides a little zing! Don’t forget to save the limes and use the wedges for serving!
  • Ginger: Freshly grated ginger gives the dish a subtle, warming touch.
  • Seasonings: Cayenne, salt and pepper provide plenty of flavor.
  • Wine: Mirin is the secret ingredient in the sauce! It adds a complex and deep flavor that just can’t be beat. If you can’t find mirin, feel free to use sake, dry sherry, brandy, or white wine. You can swap in shrimp shell stock, however the dish will lack umami flavor.

If you’ve got leftover honey, put it to good use and make this recipe for hot honey salmon bowls.

Recipe variations

  • Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp. After marinating the shrimp in the honey, garlic, and soy sauce mixture, thread them onto skewers, and grill them for a smoky twist.
  • Spicy Glazed Shrimp. Amp up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or sambal oelek to the honey glaze.
  • Tropical Twist. For a sweet-tart finish, consider adding pineapple chunks or garnishing the sticky honey shrimp with spicy sweet mango salsa.
Angled, close- up photo of honey glazed shrimp garnished with sesame seeds and fresh herbs.

How to make honey shrimp

This recipe for honey garlic shrimp isn’t just finger-licking good, it’s also incredibly quick and easy to prepare! Just one skillet, 8 ingredients, and 20 minutes stand between you and this sticky shrimp situation:

  1. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce. In a small bowl whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce.
  2. Marinate Shrimp. Place shrimp in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss to coat. Pour half of the honey sauce on top, reserving the other half for later. Toss the shrimp again. Cover and place in the refrigerator. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Stir Fry Shrimp. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add shrimp to the skillet, discarding their marinade. Cook the shrimp undisturbed for one minute.  Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Pour in the reserved honey mixture. Cook the shrimp until caramelized and cooked through. Remove shrimp from pan.
  4. Deglaze Pan. Add mirin to deglaze pan. Scrape up any browned bits from bottom of the pan. Cook until sauce is reduced. Add shrimp back to pan and stir to coat.
  5. Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe. Transfer the honey and garlic glazed shrimp to a serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!

Chef expert tips for perfect results every time!

This recipe for honey glazed shrimp is fuss-free and straightforward to prepare. However, I do have a few simple tips and tricks to ensure you nail this recipe each and every time:

  • Use Large Shrimp. For the best texture, I like to use large or jumbo shrimp; however, you can use any size shrimp you’d like. Just note that you’ll need to scale the cooking time up or down accordingly. And, frozen shrimp works great, you just need to thaw them prior. 
  • Marinate for the Most Flavor. Be sure to let the shrimp sit in the honey garlic marinade for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Don’t Overcrowd Pan. If necessary, cook the shrimp in batches. Overcrowding the pan will cause the shrimp to steam instead of searing and caramelizing.
  • Turn Shrimp Individually. Use tongs to flip each shrimp over individually—this will help the shrimp get a perfect sear!
  • Don’t Overcook the Shrimp. Shrimp are very fast cooking and overcooking shrimp makes them rubbery, so keep a close eye on them. Shrimp are done when they form a gentle “C” or “U” shape, if they’ve formed an “O”, you’ve overcooked them.
  • Deglaze with Flavor. Deglazing the pan is a must! Those browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan have so much flavor. If you don’t have mirin, you can substitute brandy, sake, or even white wine.
  • Don’t Skip the Garnishes. A little squeeze of fresh lime juice really brings out all the flavors and makes this honey garlic shrimp recipe really shine. While a scattering of fresh herbs and toasted sesame seeds makes the dish visually appealing and ties all the flavors together. 

Step-by-step photos: making this recipe at home

If you’re looking for the detailed measurements and full recipe instructions, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

Overhead photo collage of how to make honey garlic shrimp step by step with written instructions on each step.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

What’s the best shrimp for stir frying?

While there are many varieties of shrimp, the three most common types found at the store: pink, white and brown shrimp. It’s important to note that each variety of shrimp covers many different species. The terms below (pink, white, brown) are blanket terms used to describe several species of shrimp.

  • Pink shrimp: Just like the name suggests, these shrimp are slightly pink, however they can range from white to gray in color. They are slightly sweet with a mild flavor profile.
  • White shrimp: These shrimp are translucent bluish-greenish when raw, but turn pink when cooked. They are tender with a sweet flavor. They are even more mild in taste than pink shrimp. Due to their extreme mild flavor, they soak up the flavor of sauces very well!
  • Brown shrimp: These shrimp tend to be fairly small with a reddish-brown shell. They have a firm texture and a stronger, mineral-like flavor.

You can use any variety of raw shrimp for this recipe. My personal preference is pink or white shrimp. However, I suggest asking the seafood clerk which shrimp is freshest and in season. And make sure you clean the shrimp prior. If you need help, you can learn all about shelling shrimp here.

What size shrimp is best?

The size of shrimp is measured by the number of individual shrimp in a pound. The smaller the number in a pound, the bigger the shrimp. For example, the label of 16/20 indicates that there are between 16 and 20 shrimp in a pound.

It is important to remember that broad labels such as “large” and “jumbo” are a general guide. These labels aren’t regulated and can vary greatly from seller to seller. Your best bet is to pay attention to the number of shrimp in a pound.

I like to use 16/20 shrimp, or larger, for this honey glazed shrimp recipe. Since this is a fast cooking stir-fry recipe, using larger shrimp will help avoid overcooking. However, you can use smaller shrimp in this easy shrimp recipe– just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

For sure! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp and pat them dry before using them to make this honey shrimp recipe.

How long to cook shrimp?

Since shrimp cook really quickly, they can feel intimidating to prepare. The precise length of time shrimp take to cook depends upon the size of your shrimp, how many shrimp you have in the pan, and the heat under your pan. However, it’s really easy to tell when these honey garlic shrimp are done cooking:

  • Color: When shrimp are cooked, they will have lost their translucency and be opaque white. They will also develop that hallmark pinkish hue with bright red accents. Do not eat shrimp if they are gray or translucent after cooking!
  • Shape: When shrimp cooks, the muscles contracts. The contraction causes the shrimp to shrink and curl. Raw shrimp will hang straight by the tail. Perfectly cooked shrimp will form a “C”. Overcooked shrimp will curl tightly into a “O”.

What if I don’t have mirin?

This Japanese cooking wine is subtly sweet and slightly tangy with a depth of umami flavor. If you’ve never used mirin, I highly suggest you try it! However, you can absolutely swap it out if you prefer. A mixture of sake and sugar will work best as a substitute–about 1/2 teaspoon of granulated sugar per tablespoon of vinegar. But, dry sherry, rice vinegar, and sweet marsala also work in a pinch.

How spicy is this dish?

Honestly, that’s going to depend upon your personal tastebuds. However, I personally think this shrimp dish has a mild kick of heat. However, you can easily adjust the spice level by dialing the cayenne pepper up or down accordingly.

Angled photo of stir fried shrimp in a honey garlic glaze.

Serving glazed shrimp

Common serving suggestions

  • Serve as a Starter. Serve the shrimp simply, as an appetizer or starter with toothpicks and plenty of napkins. 
  • Over Steamed Rice. A bed of steamed rice is perfect for soaking up every drop of the sticky honey soy sauce. I love this coconut rice and lemon zest rice here, but works salmon fried rice if you’re looking for a super hearty meal.
  • Pair With Stir-Fried Veggies. For a balanced meal, serve the shrimp with a side of stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, fried cabbage, snow peas, or bell peppers and onions.
  • Tossed with Noodles. Turn the honey glazed shrimp into a filling meal by tossing them with your favorite Asian noodles, like lo mein or rice noodles.

Unique serving ideas

  • Stuff into Tacos. Pile the sticky shrimp onto warm tortillas with sweet and spicy slaw to create honey garlic shrimp tacos.
  • In Lettuce Wraps. Turn it into a hand-held by piling the honey garlic shrimp in lettuce leaves with shredded carrots and pickled jalapeno peppers.
  • Make a Rice Bowl. Create a grain bowl with a base of quinoa and add your favorite toppings and bowl components, like pickled red onions, Asian cucumber salad, or Asian brussels.

Storing leftovers

  • Refrigeration Instructions. Allow leftover honey glazed shrimp to cool completely before placing into an airtight container and storing in the fridge for up to three days.
  • Freezing Instructions. This recipe for honey garlic shrimp is also freezer-friendly. However, I recommend flash freezing the shrimp in a single layer on a large pan so they don’t all stick together before storing leftovers in a freezer-friendly zipped-top bag.
  • Reheating. Thaw in the fridge overnight if needed. Then, reheat the shrimp in a skillet over medium heat until warm throughout.
Close-up photo of a perfectly cooked honey shrimp.

With a mouthwatering combination of juicy, succulent shrimp and bold, glossy glaze, this sticky honey soy sauce shrimp is a dish you’ll want to come back to again and again. Whether you serve it over rice, toss it with stir-fried veggies, or sneak shrimp straight from the pan, I can guarantee seafood love at first bite!

Until Thursday friends, cheers. And remember, a shrimp in time saves nine!

Cheyanne

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More quick and easy shrimp recipes!

If you love this hot shrimp dish, try one of these delicious shellfish recipes next

Close-up photo of honey garlic shrimp garnished with fresh herbs and lime wedges in a black skillet.

Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

5 from 17 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 16 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Equal parts sublimely saucy and super simple to make, this recipe for Honey Garlic Shrimp requires just one skillet, 8 ingredients, and 20 minutes. Featuring succulent shrimp stir-fried in a sweet and subtly-spicy sticky sauce infused with soy sauce and garlic, these honey glazed shrimp are ideal anytime. Whether you serve them with toothpicks for an appetizer or piled them on a bed of rice or noodles for an easy meal, it’s a family-friendly dish everyone will love!

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing Bowls
  • 1 large skillet

Ingredients 

  • 1 Pound Large Shrimp – peeled & deveined (SEE NOTES)
  • 2 cloves Garlic – minced
  • 1/2 Cup Honey
  • 3 TBS Soy Sauce
  • 3/4 tsp Fresh Ginger – freshly grated
  • ½ heaping tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tsp Lime Zest – (from 1 small lime)
  • to taste Kosher Salt and Pepper
  • 2 TBS Neutral Oil – DIVIDED (such as vegetable or canola)
  • 1 TBS Mirin – (substitute Sake or Brandy)
  • Optional for Serving: Thinly Sliced Scallions, Sesame Seeds Lime Wedges, Steamed Rice

Instructions

  • Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: To a small bowl, add the garlic, honey, soy sauce, ginger, cayenne, lime zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. 
    Grab a whisk and vigorously stir the ingredients together until fully combined. Then, set the sauce aside.
  • Marinate Shrimp:  Add the raw shrimp to a large bowl or large sealable container and then drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over the shrimp. Next, toss or stir the shrimp to coat them in the oil.
    Next, pour HALF of the sauce over the shrimp, reserving the remaining marinade for later. Toss shrimp to coat them in the marinade.
    Then cover the bowl or seal the bag and transfer the shrimp to the fridge. Let the shrimp marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 8 hours.
  • Cook Shrimp: Remove the shrimp from the marinade, discarding the marinade, and pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
    Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    Once the oil is shimmering, add the shrimp to the hot skillet. Cook the shrimp undisturbed for 45 seconds – 1 minute. 
    Use tongs to flip shrimp and continue to cook, stirring often, for 1 minute.
    Pour in the reserved garlic and honey sauce and cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are caramelized and cooked through, about 1 1/2 to 2 additional minutes.
    Then, use tongs to remove shrimp from pan and place them onto a plate.
  • Deglaze the Pan and Thicken Sauce: Add the mirin to the pan and use the back of a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from bottom of the pan.
    Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is reduced and thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
    Turn off heat under the pan and then add the shrimp to the honey garlic sauce, tossing the shrimp in the sauce to coat.
  • Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp: Transfer the honey glazed shrimp a serving platter or individual plates.
    Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and then garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions, if using. Enjoy immediately!
    Overhead photo of Honey Garlic Shrimp garnished with scallions and lime wedges on a white plate with more lime wedges next to the plate.

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”stc7Uvtg” upload-date=”2019-03-20T17:16:45+00:00″ name=”Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe” description=”Equal parts sublimely saucy and super simple to make, this recipe for Honey Garlic Shrimp requires just one skillet, 8 ingredients, and 20 minutes. Featuring succulent shrimp stir-fried in a sweet and subtly-spicy sticky sauce infused with soy sauce and garlic, these honey glazed shrimp are ideal anytime. Whether you serve them with toothpicks for an appetizer or piled them on a bed of rice or noodles for an easy meal, it’s a family-friendly dish everyone will love!” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Notes

  • Shrimp: You can use any size raw shrimp you would like in this recipe. However, you will need to adjust the cooking time up or down accordingly. I used 16/20s. Frozen shrimp work as well, they just need to be thawed first!
  • Dry shrimp: Make sure you thoroughly dry the shrimp prior to cooking. Wet shrimp will steam, instead of sear.
  • Cook in batches: Do not crowd the pan when cooking the shrimp, or they will steam instead of caramelize and brown. Cook the shrimp in two batches if necessary.
  • Turn shrimp individually: Use tongs to flip the shrimp over individually. This will help the shrimp get a perfect sear!
  • Deglaze with flavor: Deglazing the pan is a must! Those browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan have so much flavor. If you don’t have mirin, you can substitute brandy, sake, or even white wine.
  • Garnish with lime: Fresh lime juice really brings out all the flavors and makes the shrimp shine!!
  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 
  • Recipe serves: 4 as an appetizer; 2 as a main. The recipe as written serves 2-4 depending on your appetite. Two servings if you are serving this as a main, and four if you are serving it as an appetizer. But, honestly, it depends on how much you love sticky shrimp. 
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal    Carbohydrates: 39g    Protein: 17g    Fat: 8g    Saturated Fat: 1g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g    Monounsaturated Fat: 5g    Trans Fat: 0.04g    Cholesterol: 143mg    Sodium: 1430mg    Potassium: 189mg    Fiber: 0.3g    Sugar: 36g    Vitamin A: 257IU    Vitamin C: 1mg    Calcium: 70mg    Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian

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Overhead photo of a pound of glazed jumbo shrimp with honey sauce.