Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp brings the islands straight to your dinner table with buttery, garlicky shrimp that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. I remember the first time I tasted this dish at a roadside shrimp truck during a family trip to Oahu – the combination of sweet pineapple and savory garlic was absolutely unforgettable.
Back in my Midwest kitchen, I’ve adapted this tropical treasure into a weeknight favorite that my grandkids request every time they visit. There’s something magical about the way the garlic sizzles in that butter, filling the whole house with the most incredible aroma. The pineapple juice adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance all that savory goodness, and the lime brings everything together with a bright, fresh finish. I’ve made this countless times for Sunday dinners and potlucks, and it never fails to transport us straight to those sandy Hawaiian beaches. Your kitchen’s about to smell incredible.
What Makes This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp So Special
This recipe holds a special place in my collection because it proves that restaurant-quality flavor doesn’t require fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. After years of perfecting this dish, I’ve discovered that the secret lies in the simple combination of quality shrimp and that irresistible garlic butter sauce.
- Ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special
- Uses ingredients you likely have on hand, with the exception of fresh shrimp – no exotic specialty items required
- Delivers bold, crowd-pleasing flavors that appeal to both adults and kids alike
- Adapts beautifully to different serving styles, whether you want it over rice, in tacos, or as an elegant appetizer
- Packs 24 grams of protein per serving, making it a nutritious choice that doesn’t sacrifice indulgence
- Creates impressive presentation with minimal effort, perfect for entertaining friends without the stress
Ingredient Spotlight
Large shrimp: I always choose shrimp that are already peeled and deveined to save precious time, and the larger size ensures they stay tender and juicy even with the quick, high-heat cooking method this recipe requires.
Unsalted butter: This creates the rich, luxurious base of our sauce and allows you to control the salt level precisely. I prefer unsalted because the soy sauce adds plenty of saltiness on its own.
Fresh garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic delivers that punchy, aromatic flavor that makes this dish so memorable, and I’ve found that four cloves gives you bold garlic taste without overwhelming the sweet pineapple notes.
Pineapple juice: Fresh pineapple juice works best here because it brings natural sweetness and tropical acidity that tenderizes the shrimp while creating that signature Hawaiian flavor profile.
Soy sauce: This ingredient adds savory depth and a touch of umami that balances the sweetness, and just one tablespoon is enough to enhance without making the dish taste Asian rather than Hawaiian.
Honey or brown sugar: Either option works beautifully to amplify the tropical sweetness. I typically use honey in my kitchen because it dissolves quickly and adds a subtle floral note.
Ground ginger: This warming spice contributes complexity and a slight heat that complements the garlic perfectly, bringing all the flavors together in harmony.
Fresh lime juice: The bright acidity cuts through the richness of the butter and lifts all the other flavors, making each bite taste fresh and balanced.
Fresh cilantro: Chopped cilantro stirred in at the end adds a pop of color and herbaceous freshness that makes the dish feel light despite the butter.
How to Make Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Step by Step
Step 1. I’ve learned that having all your ingredients measured and prepped before you start cooking makes this recipe come together smoothly. Mince your garlic and cilantro, and have everything within arm’s reach of the stove.
Step 2. Heat your olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter melts and starts to shimmer, which creates the perfect foundation for building flavors.
Step 3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for just 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Betty’s tip: watch it carefully because burnt garlic tastes bitter and will ruin the whole dish.
Step 4. After years of making this, I learned to arrange the shrimp in a single layer so they get a nice sear rather than steaming. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
Step 5. Pour in the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, ground ginger, lime juice, and that remaining tablespoon of butter, stirring everything together to create a glossy sauce.
Step 6. Let the Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp simmer for about one minute, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and thicken just enough to coat the shrimp beautifully.
Step 7. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro. The key I discovered is adding herbs at the very end so they stay bright and fresh rather than wilting into the hot sauce.
Keeping This Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Fresh
I typically store leftover Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh for up to 2 days. The shrimp will firm up a bit when cold, but the flavors actually develop and intensify overnight, making the leftovers almost as good as the fresh version. Betty always uses glass containers because they don’t absorb odors and make it easy to see what’s inside.
For longer storage, this dish freezes reasonably well for up to 3 months when packed in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags with as much air removed as possible. I’ve found that the texture of the shrimp changes slightly after freezing – they become a bit more firm – but the flavor remains delicious, especially when you’re craving that tropical taste in the middle of winter.
For the best texture, I reheat by warming the shrimp gently in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, adding a splash of water or pineapple juice if the sauce has thickened too much. The oven works well too at 350°F for 10 minutes, while the microwave is convenient but requires careful attention. Use medium power and heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each, to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery.
Perfect Partners for Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
- Steamed jasmine or basmati rice soaks up all that incredible garlic butter sauce and provides a neutral base that lets the shrimp flavors shine through. Try pairing it with Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls for a complete tropical-inspired meal.
- Grilled pineapple slices double down on the tropical theme and add a caramelized sweetness that complements the savory shrimp beautifully. Just brush with a little oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing offers a cool, crisp contrast to the rich, buttery shrimp and helps cleanse your palate between bites.
- Roasted asparagus or green beans bring a slight bitterness and satisfying crunch that balances the sweetness of the pineapple juice in the sauce. For inspiration, check out my Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Green Beans.
- Coconut rice made by substituting half the water with coconut milk creates an extra-tropical side dish that my family absolutely loves with this recipe.
- Fresh coleslaw with a citrus dressing adds crunch and acidity while keeping the meal feeling light and refreshing, perfect for warm summer evenings.
If you’re looking for other seafood options, my Garlic Parmesan Roasted Shrimp and Parmesan Orzo with Shrimp make excellent companions to this dish.
FAQs
I recommend thawing frozen shrimp completely before cooking by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or running them under cold water for 15 minutes. This prevents excess water from diluting your sauce and ensures even cooking.
To maintain the tropical flavor profile, Betty’s solution is using orange juice combined with a teaspoon of honey, though the taste will be slightly different from authentic Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp.
The best approach I’ve tested is cooking the shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque, which takes only 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking is the main culprit behind tough, rubbery shrimp.
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare all ingredients by measuring and mincing the garlic and cilantro. Have everything within arm’s reach of the stove.
- Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Pour in pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), ground ginger, lime juice, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer for 1 minute until sauce slightly thickens and coats the shrimp.
- Remove from heat and stir in chopped cilantro. Serve immediately over rice, in tacos, or as desired.
