This QUICK 20-minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry creates a tasty and healthy weeknight meal that is full of flavor and can be made in just one pan!
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Cooking with shrimp is something I absolutely enjoy. It’s not just that it tastes fantastic no matter how you prepare it, shrimp is also very nutritious and can be cooked in mere minutes for a hassle-free dinner. Moreover, shrimp is quite adaptable, so I enjoy pairing it with various vegetables, sauces, and spices. Let me share that this shrimp stir fry recipe has quickly become one of my top choices, especially since the sauce needs only 5 simple ingredients. Incorporate this easy shrimp dish into your meal plan this week!
Reasons to Love This
- A quick weeknight meal featuring all your favorite flavors that can be prepared in under 20 minutes! Ideal for those hectic weeknights.
- Just a few ingredients needed to create the most delicious sweet and savory sauce!
- Easily customizable with different vegetables and proteins. For example, a honey garlic chicken stir fry would be amazing!
- A nutritious dish prepared in a single pan for effortless clean-up!
Essential Ingredients
- shrimp – Fresh or frozen large shrimp that has been thawed can be used. Make sure to peel and devein them first. Always use raw shrimp, not pre-cooked.
- asparagus – This vegetable is a favorite in our stir fries, but feel free to include any vegetables you prefer! Green beans, broccoli, bok choy, onions, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, snow peas, zucchini, carrots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms are all excellent choices.
- olive oil – I prefer a quality olive oil that doesn’t need to be pricey; just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for optimal flavor. A bit of sesame oil, canola oil, or avocado oil can also be used, as long as they have a high smoke point.
- soy sauce – I always opt for low sodium soy sauce, as regular soy sauce can render dishes overly salty. You could also substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo option.
- rice vinegar – Introduces a bit of acidity that balances the flavors, but if rice vinegar isn’t available, you can replace it with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or a splash of lemon juice.
- honey – Provides a hint of sweetness to the sauce without refined sugars, creating a lovely glaze. If honey is unavailable, maple syrup can be a great alternative.
- garlic – Fresh minced garlic is always preferable! If you don’t have fresh cloves, a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder will work.
- ginger – I utilize fresh ginger as well to achieve that fantastic flavor!
You can easily spice up this honey garlic shrimp by adding red pepper flakes, sriracha, or your favorite hot sauce. Be creative! Who doesn’t enjoy spicy shrimp?!
Steps to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Cook shrimp and veggies. In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, drizzle a small amount of olive oil and cook the shrimp in a single layer until it begins to turn pink, around 3 minutes. Add the asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender-crisp, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Create the sauce. While the shrimp are cooking, prepare the sticky honey garlic sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and a teaspoon of cornstarch. Set aside.
- Incorporate sauce. Pour the stir-fry sauce mixture into the heated skillet. Keep cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp and asparagus, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve and savor! Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and fresh parsley or cilantro, if desired. Check the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and complete instructions.
Keep in mind that cooking times can vary based on shrimp size. Jumbo shrimp take about 5-6 minutes, larger shrimp about 4-5 minutes, and smaller shrimp approximately 2-3 minutes.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
- Overnight – If you are preparing in advance, thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator 24 hours prior to cooking. Place shrimp in a bowl or plastic bag to thaw – this is my preferred method.
- Day of thaw – If time is limited, the quickest way to defrost shrimp is to place them in a sealed plastic bag and submerge in cold running water. Keep the shrimp in the cold water for around 45 minutes until thawed.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over rice – Enjoy this dish as a main course over a base of white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
- Pair with noodles – Serve over lo mein noodles, rice noodles, or pasta for a change. The noodles will soak up the sauce, enhancing the flavors!
- With a salad – Complement this honey garlic shrimp with a side salad or shredded cabbage like this crunchy Thai chicken salad or Chinese chicken salad.
- Make egg rolls – Using spring roll wrappers, wrap the shrimp and bake them on a baking sheet or fry until golden brown.
- As an appetizer – Instead of a stir fry, prepare this shrimp and serve with toothpicks or small skewers alongside your favorite dipping sauce for an appetizer that everyone will adore.
Preparation and Storage
To Store: I always keep a bag of raw frozen shrimp in my freezer for recipes like this and just thaw it in the fridge overnight, but fresh shrimp can also be used. Leftover shrimp stir fry lasts up to 3 or 4 days in the fridge when stored in a sealed airtight container. Exercise your best judgment, of course!
To Freeze: This meal can also be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to reheat, I recommend thawing the shrimp first and reheating everything in a skillet on medium heat instead of in a microwave for best results.
For meal prep: I like to divide any extras 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.
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I hope you enjoy making this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry! If you love it as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and remember to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations!
For the sauce:
To create the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the 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 starts to turn pink, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until tender, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
Incorporate your sauce and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and the shrimp and asparagus are well-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.
**Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes**
If you’re in search of a tasty and quick meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor, this Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is the way to go. Finished in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy evenings or whenever you desire something delicious without a long wait.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 2 tablespoons of honey
– 3 tablespoons of soy sauce (low sodium is recommended)
– 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
– 1 tablespoon of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup of sugar snap peas
– 2 green onions, chopped
– 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
– Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
– Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Set aside.
2. **Cook the Shrimp:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for around 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Set shrimp aside upon cooking.
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 veggies are tender-crisp.
4. **Combine and Thicken:** Bring the shrimp back to the skillet. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the mixture. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens.
5. **Serve:** Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro if desired. Serve the stir fry over cooked rice or noodles.
**Success Tips:**
– **Choosing Shrimp:** Select fresh or frozen shrimp that are peeled and deveined to save time.
– **Veggie Choices:** Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or snow peas to personalize the stir fry.
– **Elevate the Spice:** Include a dash of red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha for an extra spicy kick.
This Quick Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is not only quick and simple to prepare, but it also makes for a nutritious dish loaded with protein and vibrant veggies. Enjoy this remarkable dish that brings a taste of Asian-inspired cuisine to your dining table in no time.