Description
Succulent honey garlic shrimp delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors from Asian cuisine. Home cooks can quickly prepare this delightful dish with simple ingredients for a restaurant-quality meal in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail on or off)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk honey, soy sauce, crushed garlic, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic liquid.
- Marinating Process: Immerse shrimp in the prepared marinade, allowing flavors to meld for 10-15 minutes while heating a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Shrimp Searing: Carefully transfer marinated shrimp to the sizzling skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until pink and caramelized, then set aside on a separate plate.
- Sauce Development: Pour reserved marinade into the same skillet, bringing to a gentle simmer and whisking in a cornstarch slurry to create a glossy, thickened sauce.
- Final Assembly: Return seared shrimp to the skillet, gently coating each piece in the sticky sauce, then garnish with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions.
- Serving Suggestion: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and plate alongside steamed rice, noodles, or crisp vegetables for a complete, restaurant-quality meal.
Notes
- Marinate Mindfully: Allow shrimp to soak in marinade for exactly 10-15 minutes to prevent over-tenderizing and maintain protein texture integrity.
- Quick Heat Control: Use medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization without burning garlic or scorching shrimp, ensuring golden-brown exterior with tender interior.
- Cornstarch Technique: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to eliminate lumps, creating a smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to shrimp without becoming overly thick.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap soy sauce for coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free and reduce sodium, maintaining the dish’s rich umami flavor profile while accommodating different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg