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Delicious Honey Garlic Shrimp

Category: Lunch

Big shrimp cooked until tender get tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. Broccoli florets are cooked just enough to keep their crunch and bright green color. The sauce combines honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices to lightly thicken and cling to everything. Alongside you’ve got soft rice with a topping of green onions and honey roasted peanuts that give some crunch and sweetness. It’s a simple but tasty weeknight dinner that balances different tastes and textures.

The process is straightforward: sear the shrimp fast, cook broccoli separately, then whip up the sauce to bring it all together. Add red pepper flakes if you want a little heat. Eat right away to enjoy all the fresh flavors.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:52:15 GMT
Shrimp cooked with garlic and honey in a pan Save
Shrimp cooked with garlic and honey in a pan | chefsnaps.com

In less than half an hour, you can whip up this tasty honey garlic shrimp stir-fry. Juicy shrimp swim in a sweet and garlicky sauce with a splash of soy and a kick of spice. It’s all served up with crunchy broccoli and fluffy rice for a perfect weeknight treat.

Whenever I wanted a meal that felt warm and special but didn’t take all night, this was my go-to. It quickly turned into a favorite dinner for casual celebrations at home.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Raw large shrimp: 1 pound, peeled and deveined so cooking is hassle-free and juicy Bites
  • Peanut oil: 2 tablespoons to stir-fry without burning at high heat
  • Fresh broccoli florets: 3 cups add color and crunch, pick firm stalks and rich green heads
  • Chicken broth: 1 and a half cups for the sauce’s savory base
  • Low sodium soy sauce: 1/4 cup gives depth without being too salty
  • Honey: 1/3 cup adds natural sweetness and helps the sauce thicken
  • Brown sugar packed: 1/4 cup for richer flavor and balances sourness
  • Garlic minced: 5 cloves pump up the sauce’s fresh aroma
  • Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons add brightness to the mix
  • Toasted sesame oil: 1 teaspoon (optional) for a yummy nutty touch
  • Ground ginger: 1/2 teaspoon warms things up
  • Red pepper flakes pinch: bring a little mild heat to the sauce
  • Cornstarch: 1/4 cup mixed with cold water to thicken everything nicely
  • Cooked rice: 3 cups to soak up all those great flavors
  • Green onions: sliced to sprinkle on top for freshness
  • Honey roasted peanuts: for a fun crunch and extra sweet boost on top

Step-By-Step Cooking

Make The Sauce:
Mix together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Let it sit so the flavors mingle.
Cook The Shrimp:
Heat up peanut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in shrimp and cook for about 1 minute 20 seconds each side until they turn pink and are just done. Put shrimp aside so they don’t get overcooked.
Sauté Broccoli:
In the same pan, add broccoli and cook on medium-high for about 4 minutes. They should soften a bit but still be crisp. Take broccoli out and keep aside.
Heat The Sauce:
Pour your sauce mix into the skillet and bring it to a gentle boil.
Thicken Sauce:
Stir cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Slowly pour it into the boiling sauce while stirring until the sauce looks shiny and thick.
Rewarm Veggies:
Turn heat down low, pop the broccoli back in and cover lightly. Let it heat for 2 or 3 minutes so the sauce soaks in.
Add Shrimp Back:
Put shrimp in the pan again and scoop sauce over. Heat for about a minute so flavors mix without cooking shrimp too much.
Serve It Up:
Dish out shrimp and broccoli onto rice. Top with green onions and honey roasted peanuts for some fun crunch and sweetness.
Honey Garlic
Honey Garlic | chefsnaps.com

That toasted sesame oil is my little secret twist here. It adds a lovely aroma that turns something ordinary into a dish you’d expect at a nice place. The first time I added it, it was like magic.

Best Ways To Store

Keep leftovers in an airtight box in the fridge and eat within two days. To keep shrimp soft, warm gently on low heat or microwave with a bit of water. Rice warms nicely in the microwave too, and a splash of water helps keep it fluffy.

Switch Up Ingredients

Try swapping broccoli for snap peas or bell peppers if you want a fresh crunch and color change. Chicken or tofu work great too instead of shrimp. Toss in fresh herbs like cilantro or basil before serving to brighten things up.

Tasty Pairing Ideas

This goes great with jasmine or basmati rice to soak up that yummy sauce. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing adds a fresh crunch. For drinks, try a chilled Riesling wine whose sweet touch matches the honey garlic flavors.

Seasonal Twists

In colder months, add roasted carrots or cauliflower for earthy flavors. In spring or summer, fresh snap peas and green beans bring bright crunchiness. You can adjust honey amount to match floral or bold sweetness from seasonal honey types.

A dish of shrimp with a brown sauce.
A dish of shrimp with a brown sauce. | chefsnaps.com

This honey garlic shrimp stir-fry reminds me how simple ingredients with a little love turn into something both comforting and fancy. It’s like a warm homemade meal with a restaurant touch, making any dinner feel extra nice.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ What type of shrimp works best?

Use big, raw shrimp peeled and deveined since they cook quick and stay tender while soaking up the sauce.

→ Can I substitute the broccoli?

Sure, snap peas or asparagus are good alternatives. Just watch the cooking time so they stay crisp.

→ How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

Add the cornstarch mix bit by bit and take it off the heat as soon as the sauce sticks nicely to a spoon to keep it from getting too gloopy.

→ What is the role of apple cider vinegar in the sauce?

It adds a subtle tang that cuts the sweetness and brightens up the whole flavor.

→ How long should shrimp be cooked to avoid toughness?

Cook shrimp about 80 seconds per side till they turn opaque. Cook too long and they get rubbery.

→ Can honey roasted peanuts be omitted or substituted?

Yes, they add a nice crunch and sweet flavor but you can skip or swap with toasted cashews or almonds.

Honey Garlic Shrimp

Juicy shrimp coated in honey garlic sauce paired with broccoli and rice, ready to eat in less than half an hour.

Preparation Duration
15 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
30 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Lunch

Cooking Skill Level: Simple for Beginners

Cuisine Style: Asian-style

Serving Amount: 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: No Dairy Included

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Sauce

01 60 ml cold water
02 30 g cornstarch
03 A pinch of red pepper flakes
04 1/2 tsp ground ginger
05 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (you can skip this)
06 30 ml apple cider vinegar
07 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
08 50 g brown sugar, firmly packed
09 113 g honey
10 60 ml low sodium soy sauce
11 360 ml chicken broth

→ Vegetables

12 Green onions, thinly sliced for topping
13 3 cups broccoli florets

→ Sides & Garnishes

14 Honey roasted peanuts, chopped for sprinkling
15 3 cups cooked rice

→ Oils

16 30 ml peanut oil

→ Seafood

17 454 g big raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Put the shrimp and broccoli mix on the cooked rice. Top everything with green onions and chopped peanuts.

Step 02

Throw shrimp back into the skillet, ladle the sauce over them, and cook for another 60 seconds until hot.

Step 03

Turn the heat to low. Toss broccoli in the pan, cover loosely, and let it warm for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 04

Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl till smooth. Slowly add this to the boiling sauce while stirring until it thickens up.

Step 05

Pour the sauce mix (skip the cornstarch and water for now) right into the skillet and get it bubbling.

Step 06

Sauté broccoli in the hot skillet on medium-high heat for 4 minutes until it’s a bit tender. Take it out and set aside.

Step 07

Heat peanut oil on medium-high. Add shrimp and cook each side about 1 minute 20 seconds until they turn opaque. Move shrimp to a plate.

Step 08

Grab a bowl and stir together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Put it aside.

Step 09

Make sure shrimp are fully thawed. Pat them dry and remove shells, tails, and veins if needed.

Helpful Tips

  1. Using big shrimp helps avoid them getting rubbery. Tweak the red pepper flakes for your heat. Best to eat right away for the best taste.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring spoons
  • Large skillet
  • Spatula or wooden spoon

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Contains peanuts, shellfish, and soy

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 500
  • Fat Content: 17.5 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 55 grams
  • Protein Content: 32.5 grams