Go Back
High protein honey garlic shrimp in skillet with glossy sauce

High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp

This High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp delivers a perfect balance of sweet honey and savory garlic in a glossy sauce that coats tender, juicy shrimp. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's a weeknight dinner winner packed with lean protein and incredible flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus extra for cooking
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional, for thickening
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 green onions sliced, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels. This prevents excess moisture from diluting the sauce.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and olive oil. If using cornstarch for a thicker sauce, stir it in now until well combined.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom evenly.
  4. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the hot skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Cook shrimp undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms turn pink and develop a slight golden color.
  6. Pour the honey garlic mixture over the shrimp and toss everything together using tongs or a spatula, ensuring each piece gets coated.
  7. Lower heat to medium and let the shrimp simmer in the sauce for 3-5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until cooked through and sauce has thickened to a glossy glaze. Shrimp are done when they curl into a C-shape.
  8. Remove from heat immediately and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve warm over rice or with your favorite sides.

Notes

For best results, don't overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp - work in batches if necessary. The sauce can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Leftovers keep for up to 3 days refrigerated. This dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice, cauliflower rice, stir-fried vegetables, or Asian cucumber salad.
QR Code linking back to recipe