This SIMPLE 20-minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry creates a delightful quick weeknight dish that is nutritious, tasty, and can be easily made all in one pan!
Table of Contents
I absolutely adore cooking with shrimp. Not only does it taste amazing in nearly any preparation, but shrimp is incredibly nutritious and can be quickly cooked for a hassle-free dinner. Shrimp is also quite versatile, allowing me to combine it with an array of vegetables, sauces, and spices. I must say, this shrimp stir fry recipe has quickly become one of my top picks, and the best aspect is that the sauce only uses 5 ingredients. Be sure to include this simple shrimp dish in your meal plan this week!
Reasons to Love This
- A straightforward weeknight dinner featuring all your preferred flavors that can be prepared in under 20 minutes! Ideal for those hectic evenings.
- Just a few ingredients create the most delicious sweet and savory sauce ever!
- Can be easily adjusted with various vegetables and proteins. I mean, honey garlic chicken stir fry would be delightful!
- A wholesome meal prepared all in one pan for easy cleanup!
Essential Ingredients
- shrimp – utilize either fresh or thawed frozen large shrimp. Be sure to peel and devein the shrimp beforehand. Only raw shrimp should be used, not pre-cooked ones.
- asparagus – we enjoy adding asparagus to our stir fries, but you’re welcome to use any veggies you prefer! Green beans, broccoli, bok choy, onion, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, snow peas, zucchini, carrots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms are all excellent choices.
- olive oil – I recommend a decent quality olive oil, which doesn’t need to be costly, just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for maximum flavor. You could also opt for a splash of sesame oil, canola oil, or avocado oil, but it’s important that the oil has a high smoke point.
- soy sauce – I generally use low sodium soy sauce since I find regular soy sauce can overly salt dishes. You could substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo option.
- rice vinegar – adds a hint of acidity to balance out all the flavors, but if rice vinegar is not available, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even a small amount of lemon juice would work as substitutes.
- honey – brings a touch of sweetness to the sauce without refined sugars and forms a lovely glaze. Maple syrup can replace honey if it’s not on hand.
- garlic – fresh minced garlic works best! If fresh garlic cloves are unavailable, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute.
- ginger – fresh ginger is ideal for capturing that delightful flavor!
You can easily spice up this honey garlic shrimp by including red pepper flakes, sriracha, or your favorite hot sauce. Get inventive! Who can resist spicy shrimp?!
Steps to Prepare Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Cook shrimp and veggies. In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, drizzle some olive oil and arrange the shrimp in a single layer, cooking until they start to turn pink, around 3 minutes. Add asparagus and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until tender-crisp, approximately 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Prepare the sauce. As the shrimp cook, whip up the sticky honey garlic sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and a teaspoon of cornstarch. Set it aside.
- Add the sauce. Pour the stir-fry sauce mixture into the hot skillet and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened and the shrimp and asparagus are well-coated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy! Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro, if desired. Refer to the recipe card below for ingredient measurements and full instructions.
Please be aware that cooking time will differ based on the size of your shrimp. Jumbo shrimp will take around 5-6 minutes, larger shrimp about 4-5 minutes, and smaller shrimp will require approximately 2-3 minutes.
Methods to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
- Overnight – If you plan ahead, thaw frozen shrimp by placing them in the refrigerator for 24 hours before you need them. Put the shrimp in a bowl or plastic bag to thaw – this is my preferred approach.
- Same day thaw – If you’re pressed for time, the best method to defrost shrimp is to place them in a sealed plastic bag and immerse under cold running water. Keep the shrimp in the cold water for about 45 minutes until thawed.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over rice – enjoy it as a main dish on a bed of white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb choice.
- Pair with noodles – serve it over lo mein noodles, rice noodles, or pasta for a change. The noodles will absorb the sauce, elevating each bite!
- With a salad – pair this honey garlic shrimp with a fresh salad or shredded cabbage such as this crunchy Thai chicken salad or this Chinese chicken salad.
- Make egg rolls – utilize spring roll wrappers to wrap the shrimp and either bake in the oven on a baking sheet or pan-fry until golden brown.
- As an appetizer – instead of a stir fry, serve the shrimp with toothpicks or small skewers alongside your preferred dipping sauce for a delightful appetizer everyone will adore.
Preparation and Storage Guidelines
To Store: I always keep a bag of raw frozen shrimp in my freezer for recipes like this and just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, but fresh shrimp can also be used. Leftover shrimp stir fry will remain fresh for up to 3 or 4 days in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge. Use your discretion, of course!
To Freeze: You can also freeze this dish for up to 2 months. When you want to reheat, it’s best to thaw the frozen shrimp first and reheat everything in a skillet over medium heat rather than in a microwave for optimal results.
For meal prep: I like to divide leftovers into large sealable containers (or zipped-top bags) to enjoy delicious lunches throughout the week. My favorite way to serve this is with cauliflower rice.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
More Shrimp Recipes
More Stir Fry Recipes
I hope you all relish this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry, and if you enjoy it as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your tasty recreations!
For the sauce:
To make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger and cornstarch. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, drizzle olive oil and cook shrimp until it just starts to turn pink, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook until tender, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
Toss in your sauce and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and shrimp and asparagus is coated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Serving: 1/4th of recipe | Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.7g | Protein: 38.3g | Fat: 5.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Sodium: 844.2mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 12.2g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**Fast and Simple Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry in 20 Minutes**
When you crave a tasty and rapid meal full of flavor, a Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry hits the mark. This dish is ideal for busy evenings when time is tight, yet you want a homemade meal. With only a few basic ingredients and a quick cook time, you can enjoy a restaurant-style meal on your table in just 20 minutes.
**Necessary Ingredients:**
– 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 2 tablespoons of honey
– 1/4 cup of soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
– 1 tablespoon of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger (optional)
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup of sugar snap peas
– 2 green onions, chopped
– Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
– Cooked rice or noodles for serving
**Directions:**
1. **Prepare the Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This will create the tasty sauce to coat the shrimp and vegetables.
2. **Cook the Shrimp:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Set the shrimp aside.
3. **Stir-Fry the Vegetables:** In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper and sugar snap peas. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. **Combine and Cook:** Return the shrimp to the skillet and drizzle the honey garlic sauce over everything. Toss to ensure the shrimp and vegetables are thoroughly coated with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. **Garnish and Serve:** Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top if desired. Serve the honey garlic shrimp stir fry over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.
**Success Tips:**
– **Selecting Shrimp:** This recipe can use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen, ensure they are completely thawed and dried before cooking to avoid excess moisture.
– **Vegetable Alternatives:** Feel free to adjust the vegetables depending on what you have available. Broccoli, snow peas, or carrots are great additions or substitutions.
– **Flavor Adjustments:** For additional heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drop of sriracha to the sauce.
This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is quick, simple, and nutritious, easily customizable to match your taste preferences. Its sweet and savory sauce paired with vibrant vegetables makes it a dish sure to please your family. Relish the convenience of a 20-minute meal without sacrificing flavor or quality.