High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp: Quick Weeknight Dinner (Print Version)
High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp Dinner is a quick, flavorful meal. Tender shrimp in a sticky, sweet-savory sauce, perfect for busy evenings.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Shrimp & Marinade Base
01 -
1 lb large shrimp (21/25 count), peeled, deveined, tails on or off
02 -
2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
03 -
1 tsp sesame oil
04 -
1 tbsp olive oil (or other neutral oil, for searing)
→ Honey Garlic Sauce
05 -
1/4 cup honey
06 -
4-5 cloves fresh garlic, minced (about 2 tbsp)
07 -
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
08 -
1 tbsp rice vinegar
09 -
1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry)
→ Fresh Add-ins & Garnish
10 -
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get those shrimp ready. If they're frozen, give them a good rinse under cold water until they're thawed. Pat them super dry with paper towels, like, really dry. This is a critical step, honestly, for getting a good sear later. If they're wet, they'll steam instead of brown, and we want that lovely golden crust! I once skipped this, and my shrimp looked sad and grey. Don't be like me!
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together your soy sauce, sesame oil, and about half of the minced garlic. Toss the dried shrimp in there, making sure each one gets coated. Let them hang out for about 10-15 minutes while you get the rest of your ingredients ready. While they're marinating, grab another bowl and whisk together the rest of the garlic, honey, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and cornstarch slurry. This is your magical sauce, so make sure it's smooth! I usually taste a tiny bit here, just to make sure my honey-garlic ratio is on point.
03 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, add the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan; you might need to do this in two batches. Seriously, overcrowding is the enemy of perfectly seared shrimp! Cook for about 1-2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. They cook super fast, so keep an eye on them. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery, and that's just a tragedy!
04 -
Once all the shrimp are seared and set aside, pour your prepared honey garlic sauce mixture into the same skillet. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Let it simmer gently, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes until it thickens up and gets all glossy and beautiful. It'll smell amazing, like sweet garlicy heaven. This is where the magic happens, transforming from liquid to a luscious glaze. If it gets too thick, a tiny splash of water or broth can loosen it up.
05 -
Return the seared shrimp to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss everything gently, making sure every single piece of shrimp is coated in that sticky, irresistible glaze. It should cling to the shrimp, making them look all shiny and delicious. This step is so satisfying, watching it all come together. Sometimes I get a little messy here, with sauce splatters, but hey, that's real cooking!
06 -
Transfer your gorgeous High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp Dinner to a serving platter. Sprinkle generously with fresh green onions. They add a lovely fresh crunch and a pop of color. I sometimes add a sprinkle of sesame seeds too, just for extra flair. Serve it up immediately, preferably over some fluffy rice or noodles to soak up all that incredible sauce. The shrimp should be tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet, savory, sticky sauce that’s just begging to be devoured!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the shrimp; it steams instead of browns.
02 -
You can whisk the sauce ingredients together a day ahead and keep it in the fridge.
03 -
Run out of honey? Maple syrup works in a pinch, though the flavor changes a bit.
04 -
Serve this over fluffy rice to soak up every drop of that amazing sauce.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large skillet
02 -
mixing bowls
03 -
whisk
04 -
measuring spoons and cups
05 -
cutting board
06 -
knife
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 375 kcal
Total Fat: 13 g
Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
Protein: 33 g