Honey Garlic Shrimp Bowls are quick, sweet, and a little savory. Shrimp cook fast, and the honey-garlic sauce gives a glossy, tasty finish. You can have this ready in about 20 minutes. It works great for weeknight dinners or a simple lunch.
Why make this recipe
- Fast to cook.
- Uses few ingredients.
- Bright, sweet, and savory flavors that most people like.
- Easy to change with what you have on hand.
How to prepare Honey Garlic Shrimp Bowls
This recipe is simple. Make the sauce, cook the shrimp, and steam or sauté the broccoli. Put rice or quinoa in bowls, add shrimp and veggies, and spoon the sauce over everything. The shrimp finish in the sauce so they stay juicy.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa
- 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed or sautéed
- ¼ cup green onions, finely sliced
- Optional: sesame seeds or crushed red pepper flakes for garnish
Steps:
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, and grated ginger. The honey provides a gentle sweetness that complements the garlic’s boldness and the ginger’s warmth.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook about 2–3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and curl into a ‘C’ shape. Don’t overcook—they’ll finish in the sauce.
- Glaze with the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic mixture into the skillet. Let it bubble and thicken slightly, coating the shrimp in a glossy glaze. Stir gently to make sure every shrimp is drenched in flavor. This takes about 2 minutes.
- Steam or Sauté Veggies: While the shrimp cook, quickly steam broccoli until bright green and fork-tender. You can also sauté them for a little caramelization, if you prefer a smoky touch.
- Build Your Bowl: Scoop your rice or quinoa into bowls. Pile on the honey garlic shrimp, spoon over the sauce, and nestle in your veggies. Finish with a sprinkle of green onions, and optional sesame seeds or red pepper flakes for kick.
How to serve Honey Garlic Shrimp Bowls
Serve warm. Add extra green onions or a squeeze of lime if you like. Eat with chopsticks or a fork. These bowls pair well with a simple salad or steamed greens.
How to store Honey Garlic Shrimp Bowls
- Fridge: Keep shrimp, rice, and veggies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Gently warm in a skillet over low heat so shrimp do not overcook. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if the sauce has thickened.
- Freezing: Cooked shrimp can get rubbery when frozen, so I don’t recommend freezing the full bowl. You can freeze rice separately, but fresh is best.
Tips to make Honey Garlic Shrimp Bowls perfectly
- Do not overcook the shrimp. Pull them off heat when they turn pink and curl into a C.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor.
- If the sauce is too thin, simmer a bit longer to thicken. If too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time.
- Taste the sauce before adding—add a pinch of salt or more soy sauce if you want it saltier.
- Cut broccoli into even pieces so it cooks at the same time.
Variations (if possible)
- Make it spicy: add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Make it gluten-free: use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Swap the grain: use cauliflower rice for a low-carb bowl.
- Turn it into a pasta dinner: toss the shrimp and glaze with pasta and greens for a different meal. Try this linked Cajun shrimp pasta recipe for another shrimp idea: Cajun shrimp pasta recipe.
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yes. Thaw fully and pat dry before cooking so they sear well.
Q: How can I make the sauce thicker?
A: Simmer it a little longer until it reduces. You can also mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water and stir it in, cooking until glossy.
Q: Is this dish kid-friendly?
A: Yes. The sauce is mild and sweet. Leave out red pepper flakes for kids.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes. Use a larger pan and cook shrimp in batches so they don’t crowd the pan.
Q: What sides go well with this bowl?
A: Simple sides: steamed greens, a small salad, or pickled veggies.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Bowls
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A quick and delicious bowl of honey garlic shrimp, paired with steamed broccoli and your choice of rice or quinoa.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa
- 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed or sautéed
- ¼ cup green onions, finely sliced
- Optional: sesame seeds or crushed red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, and grated ginger.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer, cooking about 2–3 minutes per side until pink and curled.
- Glaze with the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic mixture into the skillet, stir gently and let it thicken to coat the shrimp.
- Steam or Sauté Veggies: Quickly steam the broccoli until bright green or sauté for caramelization.
- Build Your Bowl: Scoop rice or quinoa into bowls, add honey garlic shrimp with sauce, veggies, and top with green onions and optional garnishes.
Notes
Serve warm and enjoy with extra green onions or lime. Best fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian