Easy One-Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Sizzling One-Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe for Busy Nights

Weeknight dinners just got way more delicious with this easy one-pan honey garlic shrimp that promises maximum flavor without endless cleanup.

Seafood enthusiasts will absolutely adore how quickly this meal comes together in a single skillet.

Sweet and savory notes dance across succulent shrimp, creating a mouthwatering experience.

The combination of golden honey and robust garlic delivers an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.

Minimal ingredients mean you can whip up this restaurant-quality dish faster than ordering takeout.

Tender shrimp coated in a glossy, caramelized sauce will have everyone requesting seconds.

Get ready to become the dinner hero with this simple yet spectacular recipe that’s sure to impress.

Why One-Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp Saves the Day

  • Using a single pan means minimal dishes and zero complicated cleanup, letting you enjoy your meal without dreading the aftermath.
  • Balanced sweet and savory sauce appeals to both kids and adults, transforming a simple protein into a crowd-pleasing dinner that everyone will love.
  • Easily swap ingredients or serve over different bases like rice, noodles, or veggies to match your mood and dietary preferences without sacrificing deliciousness.

Ingredients to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp

Protein:
  • Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood that creates the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and deveined.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of shrimp.
Cooking Fats:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich flavor and help prevent sticking while creating a golden sear on shrimp.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Honey, Soy Sauce: Create a sweet and savory base for the sauce, balancing each other perfectly.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile, fresh versions recommended for best taste.
Garnish:
  • Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Optional toppings that add texture and fresh visual appeal to the finished dish.

Cook Honey Garlic Shrimp in Just One Pan

Step 1: Prep the Ocean Gems

  • Fresh shrimp
  • Paper towels
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Gently blot each shrimp with paper towels, creating a dry surface. Sprinkle a light dusting of salt and pepper across the seafood.

Step 2: Sizzle and Sear

  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Shrimp

Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame. Add olive oil and butter, creating a golden cooking surface. Arrange shrimp in a single layer, letting each piece develop a beautiful golden-brown edge. Cook until shrimp transform from translucent to soft pink. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 3: Craft the Magical Sauce

  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Minced garlic
  • Grated ginger

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Pour honey, soy sauce, and sprinkle minced garlic into the pan. If desired, add a touch of grated ginger. Stir continuously, watching the sauce transform into a glossy, slightly thickened liquid.

Step 4: Reunite and Elevate

  • Cooked shrimp
  • Sauce
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions

Return shrimp to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the luscious sauce. Warm for an additional minute. Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a final flourish. Serve atop fluffy rice, silky noodles, or alongside crisp steamed vegetables.

Tips for Cooking Shrimp with Honey Garlic Sauce

  • Dry Shrimp Perfectly: Ensure shrimp are completely dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Adjust Heat Carefully: Maintain medium-high heat to prevent burning garlic and create a perfect caramelized sauce without scorching the delicate shrimp.
  • Quick Cooking Matters: Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque- overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, losing their tender texture.
  • Customize Sauce Strength: Swap regular soy sauce with low-sodium version if watching salt intake, or use tamari for a gluten-free alternative that doesn't compromise flavor.
  • Layer Flavors Smartly: Add fresh ginger for extra depth, or sprinkle red pepper flakes to introduce a subtle heat that complements the sweet honey garlic sauce.

Store and Reheat Honey Garlic Shrimp Without Drying Out

  • Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, ensuring they remain fresh and tasty.
  • Warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
  • Skip microwaving if possible, as it can make shrimp tough and rubbery, compromising the delicate texture.
  • Enjoy the shrimp within 24 hours for the most optimal flavor and texture, as seafood tends to lose its quality quickly.

What Complements Honey Garlic Shrimp

  • Sauvignon blanc cuts through the sweetness with its bright acidity, complementing the shrimp's rich honey garlic sauce perfectly.
  • Mix a zesty lemon vodka spritzer that balances the dish's sweet and savory notes, creating a bright and harmonious dining experience.
  • The subtle floral rice absorbs the sauce beautifully while adding a delicate texture that enhances the shrimp's deliciousness.
  • A tangy cabbage slaw with rice vinegar and sesame oil provides a crunchy contrast to the tender, saucy shrimp, delivering a balanced meal with multiple flavor dimensions.

Tweak the Sauce for Honey Garlic Shrimp

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish gluten-free, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy this delicious meal.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the rich, savory flavor profile.
  • Spicy Shrimp Alternative: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the honey garlic mixture for those craving extra heat and a bold kick to the original recipe.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil to accommodate dairy restrictions, keeping the recipe's core taste and texture intact.
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Easy One-Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe


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4.5 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sunset-inspired honey garlic shrimp dances with golden notes of sweetness and savory warmth. Zesty flavors mingle effortlessly, promising a quick, delectable meal you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp (peeled and deveined)

Seasoning and Cooking Fats:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium, if preferred)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional, for extra flavor)

Garnish (Optional):

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly dry the shrimp using paper towels, then delicately season with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
  2. Warm olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a golden cooking surface.
  3. Arrange shrimp in a single layer, ensuring each piece receives direct heat contact for even cooking.
  4. Sear shrimp approximately 1-2 minutes per side until they transform into a vibrant pink hue and become translucent.
  5. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, maintaining their perfect texture and warmth.
  6. Reduce skillet heat to medium, preparing for sauce creation.
  7. Pour honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger into the skillet, whisking ingredients together.
  8. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and liquid to slightly reduce and thicken.
  9. Gently reintroduce shrimp into the aromatic sauce, coating each piece thoroughly.
  10. Warm shrimp in sauce for an additional minute, ensuring complete flavor integration.
  11. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions across the dish for a fresh, nutty finish.
  12. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice, tender noodles, or crisp vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Select large, fresh shrimp with shells removed for faster cooking and easier eating, ensuring they’re deveined and patted completely dry to achieve optimal golden-brown searing.
  • Avoid overcrowding the skillet when cooking shrimp, which prevents proper caramelization and can lead to steaming instead of achieving a delicious crispy exterior.
  • Dial down the honey quantity if you prefer less sweetness, or substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor profile that works wonderfully with seafood.
  • Keep cooking time short to prevent rubbery shrimp texture; they cook quickly and continue cooking after being removed from heat, so aim for just pink and opaque without browning too much.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 190 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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