This QUICK 20-minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry creates a tasty and rapid weeknight meal that is nutritious, vibrant, and can be effortlessly prepared all in a single pan!
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Oh how I enjoy cooking with shrimp. Not only does it taste wonderful almost any way it’s prepared, but shrimp is incredibly nutritious and can be cooked in mere minutes for a hassle-free dinner. Shrimp is quite adaptable as well, so I love combining it with various vegetables, sauces, and seasonings. Trust me, this shrimp stir fry recipe is truly one of my new favorites, and the best aspect is that the sauce needs just 5 ingredients. Include this simple shrimp dish in your meal plan this week!
Reasons to Love This
- A straightforward weeknight meal brimming with all your favorite flavors that can be ready in under 20 minutes! Ideal for those hectic evenings.
- Only a few ingredients needed to create the most delightful sweet and savory sauce!
- Easily adaptable with a mix of vegetables and protein. For example, honey garlic chicken stir fry would be fantastic!
- A nutritious meal made all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze!
Ingredients Required
- shrimp – you can choose fresh or thawed frozen large shrimp. Just ensure to peel and devein them first. Use only raw shrimp, not pre-cooked ones.
- asparagus – we love incorporating asparagus into stir fries at home, but feel free to substitute any vegetables you prefer! Green beans, broccoli, bok choy, onion, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, snow peas, zucchini, carrots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms all make excellent choices.
- olive oil – I prefer using a good-quality olive oil that need not be costly, just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for the best flavor. You may also use a bit of sesame oil, canola oil, or avocado oil, as long as the oil can withstand high heat.
- soy sauce – I usually opt for low-sodium soy sauce since standard soy sauce can make dishes overly salty. Alternatively, you can replace the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo version.
- rice vinegar – contributes a hint of acidity that balances all these flavors, but if you don’t have rice vinegar, feel free to use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even a bit of lemon juice instead.
- honey – introduces a touch of sweetness to the sauce without refined sugars and creates a lovely glaze. You can substitute the honey with maple syrup if that’s what you have on hand.
- garlic – fresh minced garlic is always preferable! If you lack fresh garlic cloves, using 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is fine.
- ginger – I also use fresh ginger to achieve that incredible flavor!
You can make this honey garlic shrimp spicy by including some red pepper flakes, sriracha, or another favorite hot sauce. Get creative! Who wouldn’t want spicy shrimp?!
Steps to Prepare Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Cook shrimp and veggies. In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, drizzle a bit of olive oil and cook the shrimp in a single layer until they start turning pink, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus and season with a dash of salt and pepper. Cook until tender-crisp, about another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce. While the shrimp cook, you can create 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 aside.
- Add sauce. Pour the stir-fry sauce mixture into the hot skillet. Keep cooking until the sauce thickens and the shrimp and asparagus are coated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy! Remove from heat. Top with sesame seeds, green onions, and fresh parsley or cilantro if you like. Refer to the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and complete instructions.
Please remember that cooking time will vary based on the size of your shrimp. Jumbo shrimp require about 5-6 minutes, larger shrimp about 4-5 minutes, and smaller shrimp about 2-3 minutes.
Thawing Frozen Shrimp
- Overnight – If you plan ahead, thaw the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator 24 hours before you plan to cook. Place them in a bowl or a plastic bag to thaw – this is my preferred approach.
- Thawing on the same day – If you’re short on time, the best method for defrosting shrimp is to transfer them to a sealed plastic bag and submerge it under cold running water. Keep the shrimp in the cold water for about 45 minutes until thawed.
Serving Suggestions
- Over rice – savor as a main dish over white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- With noodles – enjoy it over lo mein noodles, rice noodles, or pasta for a variation. The noodles will soak up the sauce, enhancing each bite’s flavor!
- Alongside a salad – complement this honey garlic shrimp with a side salad or shredded cabbage like this crunchy Thai chicken salad or this Chinese chicken salad.
- In egg rolls – utilizing spring roll wrappers, wrap the shrimp and either bake them in the oven on a baking sheet or fry them in a pan until golden brown.
- As an appetizer – instead of a stir fry, prepare this shrimp and serve with toothpicks or small skewers along with your preferred dipping sauce for a delightful appetizer everyone will appreciate.
Preparation and Storage
To Store: I always keep a bag of frozen raw shrimp in my freezer for recipes like this and simply thaw the bag in the fridge overnight, but fresh shrimp works well too. Leftover shrimp stir fry will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when kept in a sealed, airtight container. Use your judgment of course!
To Freeze: This meal can also be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to reheat, I recommend thawing the shrimp first and reheating everything in a skillet over medium heat instead of using a microwave for best results.
For meal prep: I prefer to divide leftovers into large sealable containers (or zipped-top bags) and have some tasty lunches ready for the week. My favorite way to serve this is with cauliflower rice.
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I hope you enjoy this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry, and if you love it as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I adore seeing all your delicious 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.
Pour in your sauce and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and shrimp and asparagus are coated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and black pepper, if desired. Serve right away 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.
**Quick and Simple Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry in 20 Minutes**
If you seek a delectable and quick meal that doesn’t lack flavor, a Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is an excellent option. This meal merges juicy shrimp with a sweet and savory sauce, all perfectly cooked in just 20 minutes. Whether you are a busy professional or a home cook in search of a rapid weeknight dinner, this recipe is bound to become a favorite.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup of honey
– 1/4 cup of soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
– 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
– 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for added heat)
– 1 cup of broccoli florets
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup of sugar snap peas
– 2 green onions, sliced
– Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
– Sesame seeds, for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Sauce:** In a small bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
2. **Cook the Shrimp:** Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Place the shrimp in a single layer and cook for around 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Set the shrimp aside after removing them from the skillet.
3. **Sauté the Vegetables:** In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Next, add the broccoli, red bell pepper, and sugar snap peas. Stir-fry the veggies for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp.
4. **Combine and Cook:** Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables. Drizzle the prepared honey garlic sauce over the shrimp and veggies. Mix everything together, ensuring the shrimp and veggies are thoroughly coated with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
5. **Serve:** Take the skillet off the heat. Serve the honey garlic shrimp stir fry over cooked rice or noodles. Decorate with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for an added flavor boost and nicer presentation.
**Tips for Success:**
– **Shrimp Selection:** Choose fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp for the best taste and texture. Ensure they are properly thawed before cooking.
– **Vegetable Variations:** Feel free to replace with your favorite vegetables or whatever is available, such as carrots, snow peas, or baby corn.
– **Adjusting Spice Levels:** If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the quantity of red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is not only quick and straightforward to make but also bursting with flavor and nutrients. It’s a flexible dish that can be adapted to your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Enjoy this delightful meal any evening of the week, and take pleasure in the compliments from family and friends!