High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp

Introduction

The kitchen smells like warm honey and toasted garlic, and the skillet sings a happy sizzle — that’s my cue to slow down. Right away, I’m thinking of High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp in that sticky glaze, and I can almost hear bowls being set at the table. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. Also, I’ll walk you through every little nudge I give the pan so your shrimp come out perfect.

Why You’ll Love This

• Quick weeknight dinner ready in about 20 minutes.
• Sweet-and-savory flavor that kids and adults both enjoy.
• High in protein and pairs well with simple sides.
• Budget-friendly when you buy shrimp on sale.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 3–4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 6–8 minutes
• Total time: 18 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: sweet + garlicky, lightly savory
  After one practice run, you’ll feel confident to tweak it to your taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Chef note: medium or large works best
• 1/4 cup honey
  • Chef note: liquid honey blends smoothly
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Chef note: fresh garlic = bigger flavor
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Chef note: low-sodium if preferred
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Chef note: or neutral oil if you like
• Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chef note: season lightly at first
• Steamed rice or vegetables for serving
  • Chef note: jasmine rice or broccoli are good

How to Make It

1. First, whisk honey, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl until glossy. Smell the garlic bloom.
2. Next, toss shrimp into the marinade and coat each piece. Then let it sit for 15 minutes while you heat the pan.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water skitters. Add a splash of oil and swirl.
4. Now add the marinated shrimp in a single layer. You should hear a quick sizzle. Don’t crowd the pan.
5. Cook 2–3 minutes on the first side until edges turn golden and the underside is firm. Then flip; the aroma will be sweeter.
6. Cook another 2–3 minutes until shrimp are pink, opaque, and slightly curled into a loose “C” (not tight). Also watch the sauce thicken into a glossy coat.
7. Finally, remove from heat and spoon any pan sauce over the shrimp. Serve immediately over rice or vegetables.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

• Time-saver: Peel shrimp before shopping? Buy pre-peeled to save prep time.
• Common mistake + fix: Overcook shrimp and they turn rubbery; fix by pulling them from heat as soon as they’re opaque.
• Simple variation: Add red pepper flakes for heat or chopped cilantro for brightness.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: Serve over steamed jasmine rice and a squeeze of lime.
• Brunch twist: Toss into an avo-toast bowl with soft-poached eggs.
• Casual party: Skewer shrimp for easy finger food with extra sauce for dipping.
• Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a lemon wedge.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Not recommended for best texture, but you can freeze cooked shrimp up to 1 month.
• Reheat: Gently rewarm in a skillet over low heat to keep shrimp tender.
  Leftover idea: Fold into a warm grain bowl with greens and a drizzle of extra honey-soy.

High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp

A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring sweet and savory honey garlic shrimp, packed with protein and delightful flavors.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 18 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Calories: 210

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Shrimp and Marinade

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined Medium or large shrimp works best.
• 1/4 cup honey Liquid honey blends smoothly.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic equals bigger flavor.
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce Use low-sodium if preferred.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil Or a neutral oil if you like.
• to taste Salt and pepper Season lightly at first.

Serving Suggestions

• to taste Steamed rice or vegetables Jasmine rice or broccoli are good options.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Whisk honey, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl until glossy.
2. Toss shrimp into the marinade and coat each piece. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Cooking

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water skitters.
2. Add a splash of oil and swirl.
3. Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer; you should hear a quick sizzle.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until edges turn golden and the underside is firm.
5. Flip the shrimp and cook another 2-3 minutes until pink, opaque, and slightly curled into a loose ‘C’.
6. Remove from heat and spoon any pan sauce over the shrimp. Serve immediately over rice or vegetables.

Notes

Time-saver: Buy pre-peeled shrimp to save prep time. Avoid overcooking the shrimp to prevent a rubbery texture. Simple variations include adding red pepper flakes for heat or chopped cilantro for brightness.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes, you can marinate the shrimp up to 1 hour ahead, then cook just before serving for best texture.

Q: What can I substitute for soy sauce?
A: Use tamari for gluten-free or a splash of coconut aminos; adjust salt accordingly.

Q: How do I know it’s done?
A: Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C”; also the sauce will cling and thicken.

Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: You can freeze cooked shrimp, but thawing and reheating may soften the texture; I recommend fresh cooking when possible.

Conclusion

If you want another take on honey-garlic flavors, I like this classic Honey-Garlic Shrimp recipe for a slightly different balance, and for low-carb swaps try the version at Wholesome Yum’s Honey Garlic Shrimp.

Final Thoughts

Go ahead and try this tonight; tweak the garlic or the heat until it sings to you. I guarantee the sticky glaze, quick cook time, and cozy aroma will make this a repeat dish in your rotation — High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp