Are you searching for a lightning-fast, incredibly flavorful dinner solution? Look no further! This honey garlic shrimp recipe is your answer to delicious weeknight meals. Inspired by the immense popularity of the 15-minute honey garlic chicken, this shrimp version brings the same irresistible sauce and speedy preparation to your table, but with succulent shrimp.
This isn’t just another shrimp recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy evenings. With only 5 simple ingredients and a mere 10 minutes from start to finish, you can have a restaurant-quality dish ready to devour. The magic lies in the addictively delicious honey garlic sauce that coats each shrimp perfectly, creating a symphony of sweet and savory flavors. You’ll find yourself craving this easy shrimp food recipe again and again.
Shrimp is a fantastic protein choice for quick cooking, and this recipe maximizes its potential. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and speed of this dish. It’s perfect for those moments when time is short, but you refuse to compromise on taste. Plus, keeping frozen shrimp on hand means you’re always just minutes away from a gourmet meal.
If you are a shrimp enthusiast, you might also enjoy exploring other quick Shrimp Food Recipes like spicy roasted shrimp for a flavorful appetizer, or a quick and easy Mexican shrimp skillet for a zesty meal. And for a healthier twist, southwest Air fryer shrimp offers a seasoned and perfectly cooked option, ideal for salads or tacos. Craving takeout flavors at home? Shrimp pad Thai is another excellent choice ready in just 20 minutes.
But for now, let’s dive into the star of the show: honey garlic shrimp. Get ready to experience a burst of Asian-inspired flavor in every bite!
What Makes This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe Special?
This recipe stands out for several reasons, making it a top choice among shrimp food recipes:
- Unbelievably Quick: From prep to plate in just 10 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.
- Minimal Ingredients: Only 5 main ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry.
- Incredible Flavor: The honey garlic sauce is the star, providing a perfect balance of sweetness and savory garlic goodness.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it over rice, noodles, in bowls, or even as a stir-fry base.
- Beginner-Friendly: Simple steps and easy-to-follow instructions make it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Shrimp
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable shrimp food recipe:
- Shrimp: 1 pound of extra-large shrimp (26-30 count), thawed, peeled, and deveined. Using extra-large shrimp ensures they cook quickly without becoming overcooked. You can adapt cooking time for different sizes. Remember to thaw shrimp completely for even cooking.
- Honey: 3 tablespoons of honey. Honey provides the signature sweetness and helps create a beautiful glaze on the shrimp.
- Soy Sauce: 3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce. Soy sauce delivers the savory, umami depth crucial to the Asian-inspired flavor profile. For a gluten-free version, substitute with tamari.
- Garlic: 3 cloves of minced garlic. Fresh garlic is essential for that pungent, aromatic garlic flavor that complements the honey and soy sauce perfectly.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Add a pinch of heat to balance the sweetness. Adjust the amount to your spice preference or omit entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Olive Oil: 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Olive oil is used to sauté the shrimp and provides a neutral cooking base.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Honey Garlic Shrimp
Follow these simple steps to create this amazing shrimp food recipe in minutes:
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Ensure all ingredients are well combined to create a homogenous sauce.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding shrimp for a good sear.
- Season Shrimp: Lightly season the thawed and peeled shrimp with salt and pepper. Be mindful of the sodium in soy sauce and season lightly.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking. Cook for about 2 minutes on one side, until they turn pink and slightly opaque.
- Flip and Cook: Flip the shrimp to the other side and cook for another minute, until they are almost fully cooked. Shrimp cook very quickly, so watch carefully to prevent overcooking.
- Add Sauce and Glaze: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the skillet with the shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce. Continue to cook for about 1 minute more, or until the shrimp are cooked through (opaque and pink) and the sauce has warmed and slightly thickened into a glaze.
- Serve Immediately: Serve your honey garlic shrimp immediately while hot. Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve over rice or your preferred base.
Serving Suggestions for Honey Garlic Shrimp
This versatile shrimp food recipe can be served in numerous delicious ways:
- Over Rice: Serve over steamed white rice, brown rice, or fragrant basmati rice. Add a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for a complete and balanced meal.
- Asian-Style Bowls: Create vibrant Asian-inspired bowls with rice or grains as a base, topped with honey garlic shrimp, fresh and roasted vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and edamame.
- Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry: Transform this into a full stir-fry by adding mixed vegetables to the skillet after cooking the shrimp. Double the sauce recipe to ensure there’s enough to coat both the shrimp and vegetables.
- With Noodles: Serve alongside rice noodles or ramen noodles. Pair with sautéed carrots and snow peas for a light and refreshing side dish.
- Asian Salad Topper: Add honey garlic shrimp to an Asian-style salad for a protein boost. A soy ginger dressing would complement the flavors beautifully.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Thawing Shrimp: Ensure shrimp are fully thawed before cooking. For quick thawing, place frozen shrimp in a colander and rinse under cold running water for 2-3 minutes. For overnight thawing, place them in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook quickly. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery. Cook just until pink and opaque.
- Size Matters: While this recipe calls for extra-large shrimp, you can use other sizes. Adjust cooking time accordingly – smaller shrimp will cook faster.
- Gluten-Free Option: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by substituting soy sauce with gluten-free tamari.
- Flavor Boost: For extra flavor, consider marinating the shrimp in a portion of the honey garlic sauce for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- Spice Level: Control the spice by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes or adding a drizzle of sriracha at the end for extra heat.
Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Dish
Enhance your honey garlic shrimp with these delicious toppings:
- Sliced green onions for freshness and a mild oniony bite.
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for herbaceous notes.
- Chopped peanuts or sesame seeds for added texture and nutty flavor.
- Extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha for those who love a spicy kick.
Ready to enjoy this incredibly easy and flavorful shrimp food recipe? Give this honey garlic shrimp a try tonight and experience a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal that will become a new family favorite!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lb extra-large shrimp (26-30 size), thawed, peeled, and deveined
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional for Serving:
- Steamed rice (white, brown, or basmati)
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Chopped peanuts
- Sesame seeds
- Red pepper flakes or sriracha for extra spice
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Heat Oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season Shrimp: Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
- Cook Shrimp (Side 1): Add shrimp to skillet and cook for about 2 minutes on one side.
- Cook Shrimp (Side 2): Flip shrimp and cook for 1 minute on the other side.
- Add Sauce and Glaze: Pour sauce into pan, toss to coat shrimp, and cook for 1 minute more, until shrimp are cooked through and sauce is warm and slightly thickened.
- Serve: Serve immediately with desired toppings and over steamed rice, if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Shrimp Size: Extra-large shrimp (26-30 count) are recommended. Adjust cooking time for different sizes. Ensure shrimp are thawed, peeled, and deveined. Tails can be left on for flavor but may be less convenient to eat.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
- Thawing Shrimp: Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the refrigerator or quickly by rinsing under cold water for 2-3 minutes.
- Serving Suggestions: Explore various serving options like rice bowls, stir-fries, noodles, or salads as detailed in the article.
Nutrition Information:
- Yield: 4 servings
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving:
- Calories: 214
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 239mg
- Sodium: 1613mg
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 27g
