Easy One Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp

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I absolutely love dinners that feel gourmet but are actually a breeze—and this Easy One Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp fits that bill perfectly. The moment I toss shrimp into a hot skillet with butter, garlic, honey, and soy, I can practically smell a restaurant-style dinner happening in my own kitchen. The glaze sizzles and thickens, the shrimp turn plump and glossy, and before I know it, there’s a sweet-savory aroma filling the whole house—like a cozy seaside bistro just opened in my home.

One hectic Thursday night, my kitchen was a mess and I had zero motivation to cook. I spotted a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer, dumped it in the skillet, and grabbed honey, garlic, and pantry staples. Within 20 minutes the meal was served, dishes done, and my roommates were already requesting seconds. That’s when I realized this recipe is magic—no fuss, no mess, no drama, but packed with flavor that feels so intentional and satisfying. If you’re craving a fast, honey garlic shrimp dinner that’s also low cleanup, this dish is tailor-made for you.

This one pan honey garlic shrimp recipe works for every kind of night—it’s kitchen table comfort food, casual dinner party chic, meal prep superhero, and healthy weeknight win all in one pan. And trust me, once that sweet garlic aroma hits your nostrils, you’ll know it’s a keeper.

What’s on the Plate

Overview

Cuisine: Asian‑inspired Fusion
Course: Dinner, Weeknight Meal, Meal Prep
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

What’s in Every Bite (per serving)

Calories: ~290 kcal
Carbs: 18 g
Fats: 8 g
Protein: 32 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 700 mg

Total Recipe Cost

Estimated Total Cost: ~$18
Cost Per Serving: ~$4.50
Main Cost Factors: shrimp, honey, garlic

The Story Behind the Flavor

This shrimp dish traces back to a food truck gem I found on a California road trip in 2019. The cook draped shrimp in a buttery garlic-honey glaze that was sweet, bold, and instantly addictive. I knew I had to replicate it at home and transform it into something anyone could whip up with pantry staples. Fast forward years later, and this 20‑minute shrimp dinner ideas dish has become my go-to for fuss-free weeknight meals and a crowd-pleaser at gatherings.

Every time I drizzle the glaze over the shrimp, I taste a nostalgia for that beachside moment—and a reminder that great flavor doesn’t need complicated techniques or long prep. It’s comfort food powered by simplicity.

Perfect For

• Busy Weeknight Dinners Without Compromise
  • When time is tight but your taste buds are still picky, this recipe swoops in like a kitchen hero. With a handful of pantry staples and juicy shrimp, you’ve got dinner on the table in under 20 minutes — no shortcuts on flavor, no boring bites. Just bold, buttery, lemon-garlic goodness that feels restaurant-worthy on a regular Tuesday.
• Meal Prepping Protein-Rich Lunches
  • This dish reheats beautifully and pairs well with rice, quinoa, salad, or roasted veggies, making it a perfect star for protein-packed meal prep. Make a double batch, pack it in individual containers, and lunch is set for the week — flavorful, filling, and far more exciting than a turkey sandwich.
• Casual Dinner Parties or Game Nights
  • Want something easy but impressive? This shrimp dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for gatherings that lean more laid-back than formal. Serve it with crusty bread, tropical cocktails, or over rice bowls for a DIY shrimp bar that’ll have guests going back for seconds (and thirds). It’s easy to scale, quick to plate, and totally unforgettable.
• Shrimp Lovers Craving Bold Flavors Fast
  • If shrimp is your love language, this dish speaks fluently. It’s loaded with savory garlic, zesty lemon, and buttery richness that clings to each shrimp. Perfect for those nights when you need to satisfy that “I need shrimp now” craving without hitting a restaurant or waiting for delivery.
• Family Meals That Feel Like a Treat
  • This recipe strikes the sweet spot between family-friendly comfort and special-occasion flavor. Kids will love the buttery shrimp (just dial back the garlic or spice if needed), and adults will appreciate the depth of flavor and quick cleanup. Serve it with fluffy rice, grilled corn, or even a pineapple slaw to turn dinner into an island escape — without leaving your kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s All Sausage—Er, You Heard Me… Shrimp and Flavor with Minimal Effort
  • Let’s get something straight — this dish is pure shrimp domination. No fluff. No fillers. Just juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp drenched in a buttery, lemony garlic sauce that’ll have you licking the plate clean. It’s that kind of “how-is-this-so-simple” magic that makes it a go-to in my kitchen.
• One Pan Means No Production-Level Cleanup
  • You get all that flavor in just one skillet. That’s right — no sink full of chaos, no juggling pans like you’re on a cooking show. It’s just you, your pan, and about 15 minutes of kitchen glory. Less mess = more time for seconds (or a cold drink while someone else does the dishes).
• Ready in Under 20 Minutes
  • This is what I call a real-deal weeknight warrior recipe. From fridge to fork in less than 20? Done. Even if your shrimp are frozen, a quick thaw gets you dinner faster than delivery. And the flavor payoff? Restaurant-quality with zero stress.
• Adaptable: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Spicy, Creamy—You Name It
  • Whether you’re watching carbs, avoiding gluten, or just feeling adventurous, this dish is your blank canvas. Want heat? Toss in red pepper flakes. Craving creamy? Swirl in a splash of coconut milk or Greek yogurt. Going low-carb? Serve it over cauliflower rice or greens. The base is solid — you just build it your way.
• Perfectly Balanced Sweet, Savory, Garlicky Notes in Every Bite
  • It hits all the flavor notes: garlicky and rich from the butter, bright and zippy from the lemon, slightly sweet if you pair it with pineapple rice or corn salsa, and perfectly savory from the seared shrimp. It’s that “can’t-stop-eating-this” combo that makes everyone fight for the last spoonful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Core Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins

• 1–2 cups broccoli, snap peas, or bell pepper strips
• Steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice
• Topped with sesame seeds, cilantro, or lime wedges

Ingredient Highlights

Shrimp deliver lean protein and cook in a flash—perfect for this one-pan shrimp recipe.
A drizzle of honey gives sweetness and a gorgeous glaze.
Garlic ensures depth and savory warmth.
Soy sauce holds things together with umami magic.
A bit of butter makes it rich and restaurant-worthy at home.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pat the shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter (or heat oil) in skillet over medium heat and stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Add glaze mix: honey, soy sauce, vinegar, red pepper; simmer until slightly thick.
4. Add shrimp in a single layer; cook each side for 2–3 minutes until opaque.
5. Coat shrimp in the glaze, making sure every piece is glossy.
6. Serve over rice or veggies; top with green onions or sesame.

Pro Tips

• Shrimp Cook Fast — Don’t Overcook or They’ll Be Rubbery
  • Shrimp go from perfectly plump to rubber ball real quick. As soon as they turn pink and curl into a “C” shape (not a tight “O”), they’re done. Overcooking is the fastest way to ruin all that buttery garlic bliss. Pro move: pull them off the heat just before they look 100% done — the residual heat will finish the job.
• Want a Thicker Sauce? Stir in a Cornstarch Slurry
  • If you want that rich garlicky lemon sauce to cling to every bite, make a quick slurry with 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water and stir it in at the end. Let it bubble for 30 seconds and boom — instant luscious, glossy pan sauce.
• Add Red Pepper Flakes or Sriracha for Heat
  • This recipe is built for customization. Want to crank up the heat? Toss in ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes while sautéing garlic, or finish with a swirl of sriracha. It gives the dish a spicy backbone that pairs beautifully with the citrusy brightness. For a tropical kick, try a dash of chili garlic sauce or sambal oelek.
• Toss in Veggies After Shrimp to Make It a Shrimp and Vegetable Skillet
  • Make it a full meal by adding quick-cooking veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, snap peas, or spinach after the shrimp are cooked. Just sauté the veggies in the leftover sauce, then toss everything together. It’s fast, colorful, and gives you dinner in one skillet — no side dish stress required.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap in Tamari or Coconut Aminos
  • If you’re using soy sauce or adding umami boosters, be sure to swap for tamari or coconut aminos to keep it fully gluten-free. Most of the core ingredients — shrimp, lemon, garlic, butter — are naturally gluten-free, so a quick label check keeps this dish celiac-safe and allergy-friendly.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Sriracha Honey Garlic Shrimp
  • Turn up the heat with a sweet-spicy twist. Add 1–2 teaspoons of sriracha and a dollop of chili garlic sauce to the pan sauce. The sriracha brings the fire, the garlic keeps it savory, and a drizzle of honey rounds it out with sticky-sweet goodness. Serve over jasmine rice or with grilled pineapple for tropical flair that packs a punch.
    
• Shrimp & Veggie Rice Bowl
  • Bulk it up and boost the nutrition by turning this into a full-on rice bowl situation. After cooking the shrimp, toss in chopped broccoli florets, snap peas, bell peppers, or baby spinach. Sauté them quickly in the leftover sauce, then pile everything over steamed white rice or brown rice for a colorful, hearty one-bowl meal.
    
• Low-Carb Honey Garlic Shrimp
  • Cut back on sugar and carbs without cutting flavor. Use a sugar-free honey substitute (like monk fruit honey or keto-friendly syrup), and serve the shrimp over cauliflower rice or a bed of sautéed greens. Still buttery, still garlicky, still drool-worthy — just a little more blood sugar friendly.
    
• Creamy Pasta Option
  • Take this shrimp skillet into comfort food territory by turning it into a pasta toss! Add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce after the shrimp cook. Toss everything with hot cooked pasta (think linguine, angel hair, or fettuccine), and finish with a handful of grated Parmesan and lemon zest. Boom — restaurant vibes, no reservation needed.
    
• Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
  • Looking for a light, fresh, and hands-on option? Spoon the shrimp into crisp butter lettuce or romaine leaves and top with shredded carrots, cucumber matchsticks, or mango slices. Drizzle with extra sauce or a squeeze of lime. Perfect for appetizers, light lunches, or summer dinners that don’t heat up the kitchen.
    

Gluten‑Free Version

Good news: this bold, buttery shrimp dish is a breeze to make gluten-free — no complicated substitutions, just a few smart swaps and label checks.

Swap Soy Sauce for Tamari or Coconut Aminos
Traditional soy sauce often contains wheat, so be sure to use certified gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead. Both deliver that rich, savory umami kick you need to balance out the lemon and garlic. Tamari has a stronger, saltier profile (perfect if you like a punchier flavor), while coconut aminos are slightly sweeter and lower in sodium — ideal for a more mellow bite.

Check Your Pantry Staples

• Honey: Naturally gluten-free, but always double-check the label to ensure it wasn’t processed in a facility that handles wheat.
• Vinegar: Distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and rice vinegar are usually gluten-free — but some malt vinegars are not, so skip those entirely.
• Butter, garlic, lemon, and shrimp? Totally safe and naturally gluten-free — no worries there!

Pair With Safe Sides
To keep the whole meal gluten-free, serve your shrimp over:

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
• Quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist
• Gluten-free rice noodles or stir-fried veggies
  Avoid wheat-based pastas or breads unless they’re labeled gluten-free.

Bonus Tip: If you’re adding sauces, spice blends, or any pre-marinated ingredients, read labels carefully. Some sneaky thickeners or preservatives can contain gluten, especially in bottled sauces.

Kid‑Friendly Version

Let’s be honest — shrimp can be a bit of a wildcard with kids. But this recipe? It’s got major kid-pleasing potential with just a few easy tweaks. Think less heat, more buttery goodness, and a soft landing into noodle territory. Here’s how to dial it in:

Hold the Heat
First rule of feeding the tiny critics: ditch the chili. That means no red pepper flakes, no sriracha, no accidental spice bombs. Keep the flavors mellow and approachable so no one pushes their plate away on sight.

Lighten Up the Garlic
Garlic’s great, but for little taste buds, a little goes a long way. Instead of the full garlic parade, stick to just 2 cloves, finely minced. It gives that gentle flavor we love without overpowering the dish — perfect for easing kids into bold ingredients.

Serve Over Buttery Noodles
This one’s a game changer: pile the shrimp over warm, buttery egg noodles or spaghetti. Toss the noodles with a little extra butter, a pinch of salt, and even a touch of Parmesan if your kiddo likes cheese. You’ll be amazed how fast it disappears when it looks like pasta night with a bonus.

Chop It Small
For younger kids, try slicing the shrimp into bite-sized pieces before serving. It’s easier to handle, less intimidating, and helps them focus on taste instead of texture. You can even mix the shrimp right into the noodles for a fuss-free, one-bowl meal.

Optional Sweet Touch
Some kids love a bit of sweetness — if that’s your crew, try finishing the dish with a tiny drizzle of honey or a squeeze of fresh orange juice. It balances the lemon and adds a familiar sweetness that can win over even the pickiest palate.

Taste What’s Next

Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet
BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
or you Can Dig Deeper Recipes by clicking this: Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Desserts.

Storage & Reheating

This lemon garlic shrimp dish is best served fresh and hot off the skillet — but if you’ve got leftovers (lucky you), here’s how to keep them tasting their best:

Refrigerator
Once cooled, transfer any leftover shrimp and sauce into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Pro Tip: Lay shrimp in a single layer (or no more than two layers) to prevent squishing and to help them reheat more evenly.

Reheat
Shrimp are delicate, so reheating requires a little care to avoid turning them rubbery:

• Skillet Method (Best): Add shrimp and a splash of water, broth, or a bit more butter to a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir gently until warmed through — about 2–3 minutes.
• Microwave Method (Quickest): Place shrimp in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with a damp paper towel, and heat in 15–20 second bursts. Stir between each burst to keep them from overheating.

Avoid high heat — shrimp can go from juicy to chewy in seconds if reheated too aggressively.

Freeze
Freezing not recommended.
Shrimp lose their tender, juicy texture after freezing and thawing — especially in buttery sauces like this. The garlic-lemon sauce may also separate or turn grainy once frozen, which is a flavor buzzkill.

If you must freeze:

• Only freeze shrimp that were cooked from fresh (never refrozen).
• Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently as above — just know the texture might not be the same.

Bonus Tip: If you’re planning ahead and want this dish on-demand, prep the sauce separately and keep raw shrimp frozen. Then just thaw and cook fresh — it’s still fast and way better in flavor and texture.

Equipment

Large nonstick skillet
Measuring cups/spoons
Spatula or tongs
Garlic press or knife
Cutting board

FAQs

How to make easy honey garlic shrimp recipe for dinner?
Sauté garlic in butter/oil, stir honey, soy sauce, vinegar, cook shrimp until glossy—done in 20 minutes.

Can I meal prep honey garlic shrimp for future lunches?
Yes! Divide into containers with rice or veggies. Reheat gently before eating.

What vegetables pair well with honey garlic shrimp?
Broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach work brilliantly.

Is honey garlic shrimp healthy for weight loss?
Yes—lean protein and low in fat. Serve with veggies or grains to balance carbs and nutrients.

Can you thicken honey garlic shrimp sauce without cornstarch?
Absolutely—cook it longer to reduce the liquid, creating a natural syrup.

External Resources

Shrimp Nutrition
Garlic Nutrition
Cleveland Clinic – Health Benefits of Honey

Conclusion

This Easy One Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp captures everything I love about home cooking—it’s fast, flavorful, and cleaning up is a breeze. The shrimp glisten with honey garlic goodness, balanced with savory soy and a touch of heat. Whether it’s a quick solo dinner, a meal-prep superstar, or a go-to for guests, this dish always delivers satisfaction without switching on the oven.

Try it tonight, savor each sticky, sweet bite, and don’t forget—tag me or mention me in your post so I can celebrate your delicious creation. Keep that skillet warm for our next flavor-packed adventure, Chef!