Brace yourself for a dish that’s as stunningly vibrant as it is effortlessly delicious: the Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe. This quick and lively stir-fry combines succulent shrimp with a rainbow of crisp veggies, all tossed in an irresistibly sticky, garlicky-honey sauce. Whether you’ve got a busy weeknight or a weekend craving for take-out flavors, this recipe is about to become your go-to solution. Bold, flavorful, and ready in just 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself making it on repeat for friends, family, or simply to treat yourself!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a few everyday ingredients transform into something magical in this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe. Each one has a purpose, whether it’s building flavor, bumping up nutrition, or delivering that irresistible texture and color in every bite.
- Shrimp (1 pound, large, peeled and deveined): The star of the show—choose fresh or thawed shrimp for the juiciest, most tender result.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Gently coats the shrimp, helping them crisp up perfectly and creates subtle body in the sauce.
- Vegetable Oil (1 tablespoon): Keeps everything sizzling without burning and lets the sauce flavors shine.
- Broccoli Florets (2 cups): Adds bright crunch and soaks up the honey garlic sauce beautifully.
- Red Bell Pepper, sliced (1): For a sweet, colorful touch and an extra dose of vitamin C.
- Snap Peas (1 cup): Their signature snap keeps things lively and textured.
- Green Onions, sliced (2, optional): For a fresh pop of flavor and a gorgeous finishing touch.
- Sesame Seeds, for garnish (optional): Sprinkle on top for toasty crunch and a hint of nuttiness.
- Honey (1/3 cup): The natural sweetness brings balance and a gorgeous glaze to the sauce.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (1/4 cup): Adds savory depth without overpowering the honey or vegetables.
- Garlic, minced (3 cloves): The bold, aromatic backbone of the entire dish.
- Rice Vinegar (1 tablespoon): Offers essential tanginess that keeps the sauce from getting too sweet.
- Sesame Oil (1 teaspoon): A little goes a long way—just enough to infuse a warm, toasty finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): Toss these in if you want just a gentle kiss of heat.
How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce
Grab a small bowl and whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy. This mighty sauce is the soul of the Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe, marrying sweet, savory, garlicky, and lightly spicy flavors into one sticky, golden blend you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
Step 2: Toss Shrimp with Cornstarch
Place your peeled and deveined shrimp into a bowl, sprinkle them with cornstarch, and toss until evenly coated. This quick step gives the shrimp a delicate coating that helps them brown perfectly while also giving the final sauce a silky, clingy texture that feels restaurant-worthy.
Step 3: Sear the Shrimp
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and let them sizzle for 2 to 3 minutes on each side—just until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcook! Once they pop with color, transfer them to a plate, so they stay plump and juicy.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Using the same skillet (don’t waste any of those tasty browned bits!), toss in broccoli, bell pepper, and snap peas. Stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until the veggies are tender but still have an irresistible crispness—no soggy vegetables here!
Step 5: Combine Shrimp, Sauce, and Veggies
Return the shrimp to the pan, pour over the honey garlic sauce, and gently toss everything to combine. Let it bubble together for about 2 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly and clings to every piece. Your kitchen will smell impossible to resist!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Take the wok off the heat, then scatter on sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you love a little flourish. This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe is best served hot over a bed of steamed rice or noodles, soaking up all that glossy, flavorful sauce.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sliced green onions and a pinch of sesame seeds make the colors sing and add little pops of flavor in every bite. If you love a citrusy note, a quick grating of lime zest or a squeeze of fresh lime right before serving wakes everything up beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe with classic steamed jasmine or basmati rice for pure comfort. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, serve over cauliflower rice or atop a tangle of rice noodles. A simple cucumber salad or quick Asian slaw on the side balances the warmth and keeps the meal ultra-refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the stir fry in lettuce cups for a crunchy, handheld option, or spoon it over toasted baguette slices for a unique, party-ready bruschetta. You can even prep mini bowls for a family-style feast—the vibrant colors make every presentation feel worthy of a restaurant window.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers from your Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe into an airtight container. Store in the fridge, and aim to enjoy them within 2 days for the freshest texture and flavor—the veggies might soften a bit but the taste stays fantastic!
Freezing
While you can technically freeze this stir fry, the texture of cooked shrimp and veggies is best when fresh. If you do freeze, pack everything into a freezer-safe container and use within a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To keep shrimp from getting rubbery, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat just until warmed through, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. If you’re short on time, microwaving at half-power in 30-second bursts works well too—just don’t overheat, to preserve those tender textures.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for the Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before tossing with cornstarch. This ensures the shrimp cooks evenly and gets a nice, light coating during stir-frying.
What other vegetables could I add?
The beauty of this stir fry is its flexibility. Carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, baby corn, or zucchini all make great additions. Use whatever you have on hand or crave—just keep the total amount of veggies similar so the ratios stay balanced.
How do I make the sauce spicier?
For a bolder kick, increase the red pepper flakes or stir in a splash of sriracha or chili garlic sauce. You can even add a little fresh grated ginger for extra zest and warmth.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just use a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos in place of the regular soy sauce. Be sure to check all other ingredients for hidden gluten too, if you’re sensitive.
What type Main Course
Large or jumbo shrimp provide a meaty bite and hold up well to stir-frying, but medium shrimp work nicely too. Avoid pre-cooked shrimp—they tend to get tough with this quick-cook method.
Final Thoughts
There’s something downright magical about tossing together a Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe with such bold flavors and fresh colors, all in under half an hour. It’s the kind of weeknight hero meal everyone should have up their sleeve—give it a try and watch how quickly it disappears!
Print
Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender shrimp are coated in a sweet and savory sauce, then stir-fried with crisp vegetables for a well-balanced meal. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Coat the Shrimp: Toss shrimp with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, add shrimp, and cook until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: In the same skillet, stir-fry broccoli, bell pepper, and snap peas until crisp-tender.
- Combine Everything: Return shrimp to the pan, pour the sauce over, and cook until thickened.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
- You can prep the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to swap in other vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, or zucchini based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
