If you’re in the mood for something both deliciously satisfying and impressively quick, Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is your golden ticket to culinary bliss. This dish features succulent shrimp paired with vibrant vegetables, all enveloped in a sweet and savory sauce that will delight your taste buds from the first bite to the very last.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave something homemade and delicious.
- Balanced Flavors: The honey garlic sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, enhancing the natural flavors of shrimp and vegetables.
- Adaptable: Easily customize the stir fry by swapping in your favorite vegetables or using pre-cooked shrimp.
- Nutritious: Packed with protein and vibrant veggies, it’s a wholesome meal that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry requires only a handful of ingredients, each one playing a crucial role in delivering that restaurant-quality taste. Simple, yet essential components come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures.
- Shrimp: Look for raw shrimp that are already peeled and deveined to save time.
- Olive Oil: Helps to sauté your ingredients to perfection, adding a subtle richness.
- Broccoli: Chopped to bite-size pieces, it adds an essential crunch and color.
- Bell Peppers: Use a colorful mix, they’re sweet and complement the garlic’s earthiness beautifully.
- Snow Peas: Stay crisp even after cooking, adding freshness to every bite.
- Garlic: Its aromatic flavor ties the whole dish together.
- Green Onion: Provides a mild onion flavor and garnishes the dish perfectly.
- Sauce Ingredients – Soy Sauce, Honey, Cornstarch: A trifecta that thickens to create a luscious glazed sauce.
Variations
Feel free to make this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry your own by tailoring it to your dietary needs or flavor preferences. It’s an incredibly versatile recipe that can be adapted in multiple ways without losing its appeal.
- Substitute Veggies: Use what you have on hand like carrots, edamame, or cauliflower for added texture and nutrition.
- Use Pre-cooked Shrimp: If you’re short on time, pre-cooked shrimp are a great convenience and can be added during the final mix with the sauce.
- Make It Spicy: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a squirt of Sriracha for a spicy kick.
How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
Step 1: Whisk the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch until smooth. This forms the backbone of the dish’s flavor, so make sure it’s well-mixed with no lumps from the cornstarch.
Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp
Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp, setting them aside as you prepare the vegetables.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil, followed by broccoli, bell peppers, and snow peas. Sauté these colorful veggies until the peppers are tender and blistered, about 5-6 minutes, keeping them vibrant and colorful.
Step 4: Combine and Finish
Lower the heat to simmer and return the shrimp to the skillet, along with minced garlic. Pour the sauce over everything, stirring quickly to combine. Let it simmer for a mere minute, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the ingredients lurely.
Pro Tips for Making Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
- Perfect Temperature: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding shrimp to get that perfect sear.
- Garlic Timing: Add garlic towards the end of sautéing to prevent burning and preserve its aromatic flavors.
- Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, gradually add a small amount of water while stirring until desired consistency is reached.
- Ingredient Selection: Opt for fresh, vibrant vegetables for the best texture and flavor in your stir fry.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of garnishes! A sprinkle of sliced green onions or a handful of sesame seeds adds a final touch of flavor and flare, bringing extra color and texture to the dish.
Side Dishes
This stir fry is complete all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, or even a serving of comforting quinoa if you want to switch it up a bit.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry in a large, shallow bowl to showcase its vibrant colors. For a fun twist, you can serve it in individual Chinese takeout boxes for a playful dining experience at home!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry can last up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy the flavors without losing quality.
Freezing
Freeze the stir fry in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery, make sure you don’t overcook them initially.
Reheating
Gently reheat the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Alternatively, a minute or two in the microwave will do the trick, keeping everything quick and easy.
FAQs
-
Can I use a different protein instead of shrimp?
Absolutely! Chicken or tofu works wonderfully as substitutes, just adjust the cooking time to ensure they are thoroughly cooked.
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What if I’m allergic to soy?
Try using coconut aminos as a soy sauce alternative. It’s slightly sweeter and pairs perfectly with honey and garlic.
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How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too runny?
If the sauce is too thin, create a slurry by mixing an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water, then add it to the skillet, stirring continuously.
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Can I make this stir fry gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free option to keep it fully gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is not just a meal; it’s an experience of flavors coming together in harmony. Whether you’re whipping it up after a busy day or treating family and friends, this dish promises to satisfy and brighten even the dullest of days with its vibrant taste. Invite your taste buds to try it out; you won’t regret it!
PrintHoney Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stir Fry
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Description
This Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender shrimp cooked with fresh colorful vegetables in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it’s packed with protein and vibrant flavors, served best over steamed rice.
Ingredients
Protein
1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveinedVegetables
1 head broccoli, chopped2 bell peppers, sliced
2 cups snow peas
Sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoon cornstarch
Aromatics & Garnish
4 garlic cloves, mincedgreen onion for garnish
Cooking Oil
1 tablespoon olive oil1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch in a bowl until well combined and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Add the chopped broccoli, sliced bell peppers, and snow peas. Sauté until the vegetables are blistered and tender-crisp, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Shrimp: Incorporate the minced garlic into the vegetables and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Finish with Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and stir for about 10 seconds until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the stir fry with sliced green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can use cooked shrimp (instead of raw)—simply thaw it and cook in the skillet for a few minutes.
- Feel free to substitute other vegetables such as carrots, edamame, mushrooms, or cauliflower based on your preference.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 409 kcal
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 2330 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 381 mg
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