If you’ve ever Googled “how to make honey garlic shrimp” in a rush, this one’s for you. This 15-minute stir fry hits all the sweet, savoury, and garlicky notes you want in a sticky sauce, and it’s fast enough to throw together on any weeknight. Serve it with rice, broccoli, or both. (Yes, it’s even good straight out of the pan if you’re that hungry.)
This quick honey garlic shrimp is made with everyday ingredients, just pantry staples and frozen shrimp. And if you’re wondering what to serve with honey garlic shrimp, steamed rice or noodles are your best friend. You’ll get tender shrimp, bright green broccoli, and a glossy, sticky glaze in every bite.
🧡 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
15-minute win: It’s fast, high in protein, and feels like takeout without the wait. You don’t even need to thaw your shrimp, just rinse and pat dry.
Sticky honey garlic sauce: Made with soy sauce, honey, and a splash of sesame oil, this sauce hits all the right notes. Want it hot? Add chili flakes or sriracha.
Easy to pair: Serve with rice, stir fry noodles, or tucked into lettuce wraps. It also works well cold in a bento box or over salad for meal prep.
🔪 KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
Large nonstick or stainless steel pan or wok
Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
Mixing bowls
🥚 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED
Shrimp (1 lb): Fresh or frozen. Thawed under cold water and dried thoroughly.
Broccoli florets (2 cups): Use fresh or frozen. If frozen, increase the cook time slightly.
Garlic & green onion: Garlic gives the signature flavour. Green onion finishes it all off.
Soy sauce, honey, sesame oil: For the sticky honey garlic sauce.
Cornstarch: To coat the shrimp and help thicken the sauce.
Neutral oil: For stir-frying (canola or avocado oil both work).
*These are the main ingredients. The full list of ingredients and measurements can be found at the bottom of this post!*
Let’s Talk Honey Garlic Shrimp
If you’ve never made your own honey garlic shrimp recipe at home, this is the perfect place to start. It’s everything you love from takeout, but faster, easier, and probably cheaper too. The sweet and savoury glaze clings to the shrimp just right, and when you throw in some crisp-tender broccoli, it becomes a full meal, no extra sides needed unless you want them.
Need a full honey garlic shrimp with rice situation? Just serve this over a bowl of warm jasmine rice and spoon that sticky sauce on top. If you’re wondering what to serve with honey garlic shrimp, it’s also great with noodles, roasted veggies, or even in lettuce wraps if you’re feeling fun and low-carb. Whether you’re cooking for one or meal prepping for the week, this easy honey garlic shrimp will hit the spot.
📝 HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 2 tbsp water.
Prep the shrimp: Pat shrimp dry. Toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch and a pinch of salt.
Cook the shrimp: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side. Set aside.
Stir-fry broccoli: Add another splash of oil if needed. Toss in broccoli and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until vibrant and just tender.
Combine: Add shrimp back to the pan, pour in the sauce, and stir for 1–2 minutes until everything is glossy and coated.
Finish & serve: Top with chopped green onion. Serve with rice.
☝🏻 Tips and tricks
Thaw frozen shrimp under cold water in a colander for 5–10 minutes. Pat dry well.
Don’t overcook shrimp: They cook fast. Once they curl and turn pink, they’re done.
Want spice? Add chili flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce.
Make extra sauce: Double the sauce and save for noodles or veggies.
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp works perfectly fine! Just make sure to thaw them first under cold running water, then dry them thoroughly with paper towels. If they’re too wet, they’ll steam instead of sear, and you won’t get that slightly crispy texture on the outside.
Do I really need to coat the shrimp in cornstarch?
You don’t have to, but it helps the shrimp develop a light, golden crust and also thickens the sauce a bit as it cooks. If you skip the cornstarch, your sauce will still taste great, but it won’t cling to the shrimp quite as well.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
You can reheat this in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or extra sauce to loosen things up. The microwave works too — just heat in short bursts to avoid overcooking the shrimp, which can get rubbery if reheated too long.
More Weeknight Recipes You Might Like
If you loved this quick honey garlic shrimp, here are a few other easy weeknight favourites you might like:
20-Minute Mongolian Shrimp: Sweet, garlicky, and just spicy enough — this one’s perfect with rice and cooks up in a flash.
Quick Coconut Lime Shrimp: Tangy, creamy, and refreshing — a 30-minute dinner with tropical vibes.
For this 20 min Honey Garlic Shrimp, I use the iconic kewpie mayo but feel free to use regular mayo! Tag me on Instagram or Tiktok or DM me a photo if you make this recipe!
20 min Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 lb uncooked shrimp remove skin and hulled
- 2 teaspoon of neutral oil
- 2 teaspoon kewpie mayo
- 2 cup cooked rice
Instructions
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In a bowl, combine the shrimp, honey, soy sauce and garlic, mix well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes (longer if you’d like).
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In a medium cooking pan, heat the neutral oil to medium high.
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Add the shrimp to the pan (keep the sauce in the pan to a minimum). Cook the shrimp for about 1 minute on one side. Flip the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes on the other side. Add the remaining sauce to your liking.
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Serve with hot rice, topped with kewpie mayo and some veggies!
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Asian
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