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 chili flakes (optional); 2 green onions (sliced, for garnish)

Sweet, sticky, and just a hint of heat—this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is a total game changer when you want a delicious dinner that comes together in a flash. I promise you’ll love how simple ingredients transform into a mouthwatering dish in just 10 minutes flat!

A white bowl contains two main layers; the bottom layer is white steamed rice with a soft and fluffy texture, spread evenly across the bowl. On top is a generous pile of shiny, cooked shrimp glazed with a reddish-orange sauce, giving them a glossy feel. The shrimp are round and plump with a slightly charred look in spots. Small green pieces of chopped scallions are scattered over the shrimp, adding a fresh pop of color. To the right of the bowl, a pair of brown wooden chopsticks rest on the edge. The bowl sits on a surface with a white marbled texture. 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

Honestly, this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe has become my go-to when I want something impressive but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The balance of sweet honey, punchy garlic, and gentle heat makes every bite delightful, plus it’s so quick and fuss-free.

Super fast: Ready in under 10 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Flavor-packed: The honey and garlic blend creates a luscious glaze that clings to juicy shrimp every time.
Flexible to customize: You can add a little chili for heat or keep it family-friendly with no spice at all.
Minimal ingredients: Using pantry staples—I bet you have everything you need right now!

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are simple but each plays an important role. The cornstarch helps protect the shrimp, soy sauce adds savory depth, and honey brings that perfect sweet finish with the garlic and ginger rounding it out beautifully.

Flat lay of fresh peeled and deveined raw shrimp arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl of light golden honey, a small white bowl filled with light soy sauce, a few peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl with smooth pale yellow cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with fresh grated ginger, a small white bowl of vibrant red chili flakes, two fresh green onions with crisp green stalks, and a small white bowl filled with clear vegetable oil, 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 cook quickly and soak up the sauce wonderfully—always try to get fresh if possible, but frozen works fine too.
Light soy sauce: Adds umami and a saltiness that balances the honey’s sweetness perfectly.
Cornstarch: This is key—you toss the shrimp in cornstarch to “velvet” them, which locks in moisture and keeps them tender.
Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil for a clean frying flavor and high smoke point.
Garlic: Fresh garlic minced finely gives a punch of aroma and flavor in seconds.
Ginger paste or grated ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy note that makes the sauce vibrant.
Honey: The sweet glue that coats the shrimp, making every bite sticky and delicious.
Chilli flakes (optional): I love adding just a pinch for a subtle heat that wakes up your taste buds.
Green onions: Fresh and crisp garnish that adds color and a mild onion flavor.

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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

I like to keep this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe pretty classic, but it’s super forgiving if you want to play around. Sometimes I swap honey for maple syrup for a deeper sweetness or add sesame seeds for a nice crunch on top.

Variation: Once, I tossed in some chopped bell peppers and snap peas right before adding the honey to boost the veggie content without losing the shrimp’s juicy charm.
Less sweet: If you prefer less sweetness, just reduce the honey slightly and add a splash of rice vinegar for some tang.
Spice level: You can dial up the chili flakes or even add a dash of sriracha for a spicy kick tailored to your taste buds.

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

A white bowl filled halfway with steamed white rice on one side and golden-orange glazed shrimp stacked on the other side. The shrimp have a shiny, slightly sticky texture with small bits of seasoning and are garnished with small green onion pieces scattered on top. Two wooden chopsticks rest on the side of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth loosely placed behind it. Part of a green bowl with bright green edamame beans is visible in the upper right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Velvet the Shrimp

Start by mixing soy sauce and cornstarch in a bowl, then toss the peeled and deveined shrimp into this mix. This velveting technique is a little secret I picked up from Chinese cooking—it keeps the shrimp tender and juicy instead of rubbery. Let it sit while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Flash Cook Garlic and Ginger

Heat your vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger paste, stirring constantly so they don’t burn—30 seconds tops here. The aroma at this point is already mouthwatering!

Step 3: Sear the Shrimp

Slide the shrimp into the pan in a single layer. Depending on their size, cook about 1-2 minutes each side until they turn pink and curl up beautifully. Don’t overcook—the velveting helps, but shrimp cook fast and can get rubbery in seconds.

Step 4: Add Honey and Chili Flakes

With the heat still on, pour in the honey and sprinkle chili flakes if you want a bit of kick. Toss everything gently so each shrimp gets coated in that sticky, sweet glaze. Then remove from heat to prevent the honey from burning.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top for freshness and a pop of color. Serve immediately—this goes so well over steamed rice, or even beside simple noodles.

Top Tip

After making this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe dozens of times, a few little tricks made all the difference in getting it just right. These tips will help you nail the perfect texture and flavor every time.

Velvet the shrimp: Don’t skip the cornstarch-soy sauce step—it’s the key to tender, juicy shrimp that won’t dry out while cooking.
Don’t overcook: Shrimp cook fast—once they turn pink and curl into a nice “C,” remove them promptly to avoid rubberiness.
Honey timing: Always add honey at the end and toss gently off the heat to keep your sauce from getting bitter by burning the sugars.
Fresh garlic and ginger: Use fresh ingredients here for the best aroma and flavor impact; dried will not give the same punch!

How to Serve Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Honey Garlic Shrimp - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always lean on fresh green onions as the final flourish—they add crunch and a mild oniony brightness that contrasts the sweet sauce perfectly. Sometimes, I throw on a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds too when I’m feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

This shrimp shines with a side of jasmine or basmati rice to soak up all the saucy goodness. You can also serve it alongside steamed veggies like broccoli or snap peas for a light, balanced meal. Noodles or even cauliflower rice works great if you’re cutting carbs.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I once served this honey garlic shrimp atop a bed of garlic butter noodles with a dash of chopped cilantro and lime wedges—it felt so special! Wrapping shrimp in lettuce cups for finger food-style appetizers also delights guests, especially with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I find leftover honey garlic shrimp stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just be sure to cool the shrimp completely before refrigerating to keep the sauce from becoming watery.

Freezing

Freezing shrimp cooked in this honey garlic sauce isn’t my favorite—texture can get a bit mushy. However, if you want to freeze it, flash freeze the shrimp separately and add the sauce when reheating for better freshness.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat, tossing occasionally to keep the sauce from sticking or burning. Avoid microwaving too long or high power, as shrimp can quickly overcook and become tough.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen shrimp works perfectly here. Just thaw them completely and pat dry before tossing in the cornstarch and soy sauce to velvet. This helps prevent excess moisture during cooking.

How spicy is this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe?

The base recipe has only a mild heat from optional chili flakes. You can skip them entirely for no spice or add more if you love a kick. It’s very customizable to your heat preference.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the light soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. The cornstarch is naturally gluten free, so the dish remains safe and delicious.

What should I serve with Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp?

Rice is my favorite, especially jasmine or basmati, because it soaks up the sauce beautifully. You can also pair it with steamed or stir-fried vegetables, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps for a fresh bite.

Final Thoughts

This Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe is one of those magical dishes that feels like you put in so much more effort than you actually did. Every time I make it, friends rave about how flavorful and satisfying it is, and it never takes long to whip up. Give it a try for a tasty weeknight win or a last-minute dinner party dish—you’ll be so glad you did!