Dinner

Garlic and Honey Shrimp: A Sweet and Savory Delight Recipe

ByNoah Steele October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Introduction

Garlic and Honey Shrimp is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that comes together quickly for a satisfying meal. This dish features tender shrimp glazed in a delicious honey-garlic sauce with a hint of spice, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

A bowl filled with a close-up of shrimp coated in a shiny, sticky orange-brown sauce, each shrimp showing slight grill marks and a curved shape with tails intact. The shrimp are sprinkled with small white sesame seeds and small pieces of bright green chopped scallions scattered on top. Behind the shrimp, there is a portion of fluffy white rice with a few sesame seeds on it, all placed in a white bowl, set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (large or jumbo size recommended)
1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste

1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Sesame seeds (optional)
Chopped green onions (for freshness)

Instructions

Step 1: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Set the sauce aside.
Step 3: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Pour the honey garlic sauce into the same skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Step 5: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly. Cook for another minute to combine the flavors, then remove from heat.
Step 6: Garnish the shrimp with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve immediately with rice or your choice of vegetables.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the shrimp in a small amount of soy sauce and garlic for 15 minutes before cooking.
Swap out shrimp for scallops or chicken if preferred, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
Add a splash of rice vinegar to the sauce for a slight tang that balances the sweetness.

Omit red pepper flakes or increase them based on your spice tolerance.

Storage

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp. This dish is best served fresh but can be enjoyed warmed the next day.

How to Serve

A close-up image shows a bowl filled with two main layers of food. The first layer is white rice with a soft and fluffy texture, placed on one side of the bowl. The second layer consists of several pieces of cooked shrimp with a shiny orange-brown color due to a glaze or sauce coating them, arranged closely together next to the rice. The shrimp are garnished with small white sesame seeds and chopped green onions, adding spots of white and bright green over the shiny shrimp. The bowl is white, set on a white marbled surface, and the photo is taken closely to highlight the textures and colors of the shrimp and rice. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent excess water in the pan.