Panseared Honeygarlic Shrimp Sticky Sauce
Table of Contents
Quick Hook
Quick & Easy Honey Garlic is my go-to weeknight hero. Seriously, who doesn't love sticky, sweet, garlicky shrimp? The flavor is bright, salty, and a little toasty from sesame.
It hits all the right notes.
Fun fact: shrimp are among the most eaten seafoods worldwide. I read that once and it made sense. Shrimp is fast and crowd pleasing.
Brief Overview
This dish draws on Asian sweet-savory flavors. Think pan-seared shrimp tossed in a honey soy garlic shrimp glaze. Difficulty level is easy. Prep is short and forgiving.
Total time is 16 18 minutes . Prep is 10 minutes and cook time 6 8 minutes .
Yields four servings. Serve over rice or greens for a full meal.
Origin wise, it’s inspired by simple home cooking. It borrows from stir-fry and bowl culture. It’s casual, fast, and tasty.
Main Benefits
Top health win is high protein with low-fat. Shrimp gives a lean protein boost. It’s great for nights when you want nutrition without fuss.
This is perfect for a 20-minute shrimp dinner. Also great as an easy weeknight shrimp bowls solution. I often make it after a long day. Honestly, it feels like takeout but faster.
What makes the recipe special is the sauce. The sticky honey garlic sauce recipe clings to each shrimp. You get a pan-seared honey garlic shrimp edge and glossy finish.
I once overcooked shrimp badly. Big mistake. Now I watch for a loose C curl and opaque flesh. That simple cue saved many dinners.
This recipe also morphs into many dishes. Try a Garlic Shrimp plate, Shrimp Stir fry Over Rice, or a Honey Sriracha Shrimp Bowl.
Sweet Chili Shrimp & Jasmine Rice Bowls are an easy swap too.
If you want crunchy bits, toss shrimp with a little cornstarch. If you want heat, add sriracha or red pepper flakes. Small swaps, big payoffs.
Ready to cook? Grab your shrimp and tools. Next up: ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients & Equipment
Oh my gosh, this is the heart of the Quick & Easy Honey Garlic dish. Prep well. The cook part goes fast.
Main Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 1 lb (450 g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined. Look for firm texture and no fishy smell.
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt.
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper.
- 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch (optional, crisp edge).
For the sauce
- 1/4 cup (85 g / 60 ml) honey. Use mild, runny honey.
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar.
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (≈12 15 g). Fresh garlic must be white and tight.
- 1 tsp (5 g) fresh ginger, grated (optional).
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional).
To finish
- 1 tbsp (8 g) + 2 tbsp (30 ml) slurry if using (cornstarch + cold water).
- 2 green onions, sliced.
- 1 tsp (3 5 g) toasted sesame seeds.
- Lime wedges.
Quality markers: shrimp should be translucent but firm. Honey should be smooth. Soy sauce should be low-sodium for control.
I use this for Garlic Shrimp, Shrimp Stir fry Over Rice, and Honey Sriracha Shrimp Bowl. Honestly, it works every time.
Seasoning Notes
Essential combo: garlic, ginger, honey, soy. Add sesame oil at the end for nuttiness. A splash of lime brightens it.
Flavor boosters: fish sauce (tiny), toasted sesame seeds, scallions. For heat, try sriracha.
Quick subs: maple syrup for honey. Tamari for soy. Arrowroot for cornstarch (1:1). These keep the Sticky honey garlic sauce recipe simple.
A neat stat: shrimp gives about 20 g protein per 3 oz (85 g) . Handy for a quick, healthy dinner.
Equipment Needed
- Large nonstick skillet or wok. A big frying pan works too.
- Tongs or spatula.
- Small bowl and whisk (a fork works).
- Microplane or fine grater for ginger. Use a box grater if needed.
- Measuring cups, spoons, or a digital scale.
Keep it minimal. This gear handles Pan-seared Honey Garlic Shrimp and Easy weeknight shrimp bowls. Prep everything first. That tip saved my kitchen more than once.
Cooking Method
Oh my gosh, shrimp really wins dinner nights. Shrimp is the most consumed seafood in the U.S. and for good reason.
This Quick & Easy Honey Garlic recipe gets you dinner fast. Prep takes 10 minutes . Cook takes 6 8 minutes .
Total time 16 18 minutes .
Prep Steps
Pat shrimp very dry. Use paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch if you want a light crust.
Mix honey, soy, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Whisk briefly. Have the cornstarch slurry ready. Safety first.
Use one board for shrimp. Wash hands and surfaces. Avoid burned garlic by lowering heat quickly.
Time saving organization tip. Lay everything out in a line. Put sauce bowl next to the stove. You’ll move fast.
step-by-step Process
- Heat skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and swirl.
- Add shrimp in a single layer. Sear 1– 2 minutes per side until pink.
- Remove shrimp when opaque and curled into a loose C. Target 120– 125° F internal.
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour sauce into the hot pan. Stir gently.
- Whisk in slurry slowly if you want thick glaze. Simmer 30 60 seconds .
- Return shrimp. Toss 30 60 seconds until glossy and coated. Finish with sesame oil.
Visual cues for doneness. Shrimp turn opaque and firm. They curl into a loose C. Sauce should be glossy and cling to shrimp.
Pro Tips
Use a hot pan for a quick sear. Don’t crowd the shrimp. Work in batches if needed. Shortcut: use pre-minced garlic when you’re wiped out.
It still makes great Garlic Shrimp. Common mistakes: overcooking shrimp and burning garlic. Remove shrimp early. Lower heat for sauce.
make-ahead option: mix sauce up to 24 hours ahead. Keep shrimp dry until cooking.
Honestly, my first try overcooked everything. Now I prep, sear, and smile. Serve over rice as a Shrimp Stir fry Over Rice or make a Honey Sriracha Shrimp Bowl.
This dish is a true 20-minute shrimp dinner.
Recipe Notes
I love how this Quick & Easy Honey Garlic dish comes together. Shrimp is America’s favorite seafood. It cooks fast and tastes luxe.
Oh my gosh, it feels like a restaurant meal at home.
Serving Suggestions
Plate the Pan-seared Honey Garlic Shrimp over steamed jasmine rice. Try a Shrimp Stir fry Over Rice for quick weeknight comfort.
For bowls, build a Honey Sriracha Shrimp Bowl . Add pickled cucumbers and carrots. Or go tropical with Sweet Chili Shrimp & Jasmine Rice Bowls .
Finish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. I often sip iced green tea. It cuts the sweet sauce nicely.
Storage Tips
Cool shrimp quickly to room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days.
You can freeze cooked shrimp for 2 3 months.
Wrap tightly and label. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat gently on low heat. Add a splash of water or broth.
Warm just until heated through. Avoid overcooking. Shrimp should be removed at ~120 125° F when cooking.
Variations
gluten-free swap: use tamari or coconut aminos. It keeps the honey soy garlic shrimp glaze flavor.
Low-sugar option: halve the honey.
Add extra vinegar and ginger for balance.
Plant based tweak: pan-sear tofu or king oyster mushroom slices. Toss in the same Sticky honey garlic sauce recipe .
Seasonal swaps: summer mango or cherry tomatoes for brightness. Swap jasmine rice for cauliflower rice in spring.
Nutrition Basics
Per serving, expect about 220 250 calories. Protein sits near 26 30 grams. Fat is low. Sugars come mainly from honey.
This is lean, fast protein.
Shrimp gives B12 and selenium. It’s great for fast dinners and muscle recovery. Ideal for busy nights and healthy habits.
I made this on a tired Tuesday once. Dinner hit the table in under 20. Honestly, it felt like a win. Try it. You’ll love these Easy weeknight shrimp bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Quick & Easy Honey Garlic such a good weeknight meal?
It comes together in under 20 minutes with minimal prep, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without takeout. The sauce is made from pantry staples (honey, soy, garlic) and the dish is highly adaptable serve it over rice, noodles or a crisp salad.
Pro tip: mise en place the sauce and slurry before you heat the pan so nothing stalls once the skillet is hot.
How do I stop shrimp from overcooking and getting rubbery?
Pat the shrimp very dry and use a hot pan so they sear quickly instead of steaming; cook about 1 2 minutes per side until just opaque and curled into a loose “C.” Remove them from the pan as soon as they’re opaque they’ll keep cooking a little off the heat.
If you like precision, pull them at around 120 125°F internal temp to avoid that tight “O” curl and rubbery texture.
Can I make the Quick & Easy Honey Garlic shrimp gluten-free or swap ingredients?
Yes use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free or soy-free option, and swap honey for maple or agave if needed (the flavor and gloss will be a little different).
Replace cornstarch with arrowroot 1:1 for the slurry, or simply reduce the sauce a bit longer for a thicker glaze without starch. For more heat, add sriracha or gochujang; for brightness, finish with a splash of lime juice or zest.
How should I store leftovers and what’s the best way to reheat them without drying out?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; shrimp can be frozen for 1 month but the texture will change and is best eaten fresh. Reheat gently in a skillet over low medium heat with a splash of water or rice vinegar to loosen the sauce, or warm in a 300°F oven covered for 5 8 minutes avoid high heat which will overcook the shrimp.
If the sauce thickened in the fridge, whisk in a little water before reheating to restore gloss and coatability.
Is this Quick & Easy Honey Garlic recipe healthy, and how can I tweak it for dietary goals?
Per serving the dish is protein-rich (≈26 30 g) and relatively low in fat (≈5 7 g), but it does contain sugars from the honey (≈16 18 g) and sodium that depends on your soy sauce choice (≈600 900 mg).
To reduce sugar and sodium, cut back on honey, use low-sodium soy or coconut aminos, and bulk up the meal with vegetables or a whole-grain base to stretch servings. For lower carbs, serve the shrimp over greens or cauliflower rice you’ll keep the flavor while aligning it with different dietary goals.
Panseared Honeygarlic Shrimp Sticky Sauce
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 230 calories |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Carbs | 20 g |
| Fiber | <1 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |