If you love shrimp recipes that deliver flavor fast, you’re in for a treat: this 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp is sweet, savory, garlicky, and so deliciously sticky, you’ll want to lick every drop off your plate. With minimal prep and everyday ingredients, you’ll have a restaurant-quality shrimp dish on your table before you can even finish scrolling your social feed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lightening-Fast Dinner: Satisfy your craving for something special in just 10 minutes—perfect for even your wildest weekday schedule!
- Crazy Flavorful Sauce: A glossy honey-garlic glaze coats every shrimp for a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy punch that’s downright addictive.
- Minimal Cleanup: One bowl, one pan, and you barely break a sweat—leaving more time to enjoy and less for scrubbing.
- Deliciously Versatile: Serve it as a crowd-pleasing starter, toss over rice for a fast main, or tuck into tacos for a fun twist!
Ingredients You’ll Need
I absolutely love how these kitchen staples come together in the most effortless way for this 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp! Each ingredient is essential: some add depth, others bring sweetness or a little kick, and together they create an irresistible sauce that clings perfectly to each juicy shrimp.
- Shrimp (450g/1 lb, peeled and deveined): Choose medium or large shrimp for best texture. Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp both work beautifully—just pat them dry to ensure quick searing.
- Light Soy Sauce: Adds salty, umami depth and helps with the velveting—don’t skip it, or your shrimp won’t pop with flavor.
- Cornstarch: This is the secret to that silky, glossy finish that hugs every piece; it’s a simple trick borrowed from Chinese kitchens!
- Vegetable Oil: Use a neutral oil so it doesn’t compete with the sauce. Canola, sunflower, or grapeseed are all great picks.
- Garlic (3–4 cloves): The star aromatics—minced fresh garlic infuses every bite with punchy, comforting flavor.
- Ginger Paste or Grated Ginger: Essential for a subtle zing. The combo of ginger and garlic is pure magic in this dish.
- Honey: The honey isn’t just sweet—it’s what makes the glaze sticky and shiny. Local honey gives even more depth!
- Chili Flakes (optional): Give your shrimp a gentle spark of heat, or leave them out for a kid-friendly version.
- Green Onions: For garnish and a fresh pop of color and mild bite as you finish your dish.
Variations
This recipe is endlessly adaptable—so don’t be afraid to give it your unique spin! Whether you’re craving extra heat, have dietary needs, or just want to play with flavors, these variations make 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp truly your own.
- Lemon Kick: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the end for a bright, citrusy finish that cuts through the sweetness.
- Low-Sodium Version: Use low sodium soy sauce and reduce the honey just a touch for a lighter, less sweet result.
- Make It Spicy: Up the chili flakes or add a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce for extra fire if you prefer your shrimp bold and zesty.
- Vegan “Shrimp”: Swap giant king oyster mushroom slices or tofu cubes for shrimp for a plant-based take—just adjust cooking time as needed!
How to Make 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp
Step 1: Velvet the Shrimp
In a medium bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce and cornstarch until you get a smooth slurry. Toss in your cleaned, patted-dry shrimp and gently toss to coat. This classic “velveting” method keeps the shrimp juicy and tender—no rubbery seafood here! Set aside while you prep the pan.
Step 2: Sizzle the Garlic and Ginger
Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Quickly add the minced garlic and grated (or paste) ginger. Stir constantly and sauté no longer than 30 seconds—the aromatics should smell fragrant, not burnt, for that classic honey garlic punch.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Slide the marinated shrimp into the hot pan in a single layer. Sear each side for just 1–2 minutes, depending on size, until the shrimp are pink and perfectly cooked through. Overcooking is the enemy—so keep an eye out for that telltale curl and bright color!
Step 4: Glaze & Finish
Pour in the honey (and optional chili flakes), swirling and tossing until the shrimp are shimmery and coated in that glossy sauce. The glaze will bubble and thicken in seconds—then, off the heat they go! Shower with sliced green onions and serve immediately over rice, noodles, or as a dazzling appetizer.
Pro Tips for Making 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Quick Marinate “Velvet”: Even two minutes in the soy-cornstarch mixture makes shrimp silkier and locks in their juices—don’t skip this part!
- Super-Hot Pan for Searing: Make sure your pan is fully hot before adding the shrimp—this guarantees that gorgeous golden color without overcooking.
- Fresh Aromatics, Always: Fresh minced garlic (not jarred) and real ginger make a world of difference—prepped in advance, they’ll transform your kitchen into a flavor haven.
- Glaze Timing: Add the honey off heat or as soon as the shrimp are done, swirling quickly to coat—this prevents the sauce from burning and keeps it silky.
How to Serve 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp
Garnishes
Scatter lots of fresh green onions over your 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp for a pop of color and crunch, or add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for even more texture and toasty nuttiness—it’ll make the whole dish look downright irresistible!
Side Dishes
This dish practically begs to be spooned over fluffy jasmine rice or a pile of garlicky noodles. For something lighter, try it with crisp steamed greens, roasted broccoli, or even wrapped in lettuce leaves for a fun, hands-on option.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp as colorful skewers for parties, tuck them into soft taco shells with shredded cabbage, or layer them over Asian slaw for a stylish salad—don’t be afraid to play with presentation for a wow-worthy moment at the table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the shrimp cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to 2 days—perfect for tossing over salads or quick lunches.
Freezing
While you can freeze 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp, the texture of the shrimp and glaze is best enjoyed fresh. If you must freeze, keep in a tightly sealed container for up to a month, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a nonstick pan over low heat, adding a splash of water or extra honey to loosen the glaze if needed. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can toughen the delicate shrimp.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp?
Absolutely! Just be sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before marinating. Any excess moisture can prevent proper searing and make the sauce watery, so drying the shrimp is key for the best texture and flavor.
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What can I substitute for honey in the glaze?
If you prefer not to use honey, try pure maple syrup or agave nectar as a swap—they both deliver that sticky sweetness and work well in the sauce, though the final flavor will be slightly different (and equally delicious!).
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How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Keep your heat at medium and stir constantly when cooking the garlic and ginger. They only need about 30 seconds—once fragrant, immediately add the shrimp to avoid bitterness that comes from overcooked garlic.
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Is this 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp gluten free?
Yes, if you use a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, this recipe is naturally gluten free! Always check your label to be sure, but cornstarch and all other ingredients are typically safe for gluten-sensitive diets.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for an easy weeknight hero or a last-minute appetizer that’s guaranteed to impress, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing empty plates and happy faces—so go ahead, give it a whirl, and let this quick, flavor-packed shrimp become your new favorite in the dinner rotation!
Print
10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
This quick and easy 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe is a flavorful dish that can be served as a main course or as an appetizer. The combination of sweet honey, savory garlic, and succulent shrimp makes for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 450g/1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sauce:
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3–4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger paste or grated ginger
- 4 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes, optional
- 2 green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce and cornstarch. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Cook garlic and ginger for 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Add Flavor: Pour in honey and chili flakes, if using. Toss to coat shrimp. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and serve over rice or as a starter.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender.
- Adjust honey and chili flakes to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 230mg
