High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp is one of those recipes I turn to when I want something healthy but still crave real flavor. I usually make it on busy weeknights, when work has drained my patience and the idea of cooking feels like too much effort.

Shrimp helps with that. It cooks fast, doesn’t argue with me, and forgives small mistakes.

I had originally planned to keep this meal simple, but simple has a way of turning boring if I’m not careful. So I reached for garlic. Then honey. Then ginger. At that point, I knew I was committed. I wasn’t aiming for anything fancy. I just wanted dinner that felt comforting without putting me into a food coma.

Somewhere between heating the pan too early and nearly forgetting the green onions, the kitchen started to smell really good.

The sauce thickened, the shrimp glazed up nicely, and suddenly this felt like a meal I’d actually look forward to making again. Not perfect. Not complicated. Just one of those small kitchen wins that makes cooking feel worth it.

Why I Keep Making This Dish (The Real Reasons)

1. Fast but Impressive: It cooks in minutes but looks like I tried.
2. Protein Without Sadness: High protein and still tastes like real food.
3. Hard to Overcook: Blink and it’s done. But somehow still forgiving.
4. Sweet and Savory Balance: Honey and garlic understand each other.
5. Minimal Cleanup: One pan. That’s it.
6. Weeknight Friendly: I can make this after work without complaining.
7. Good Leftovers: If there even are leftovers.
8. Feels Light: I don’t feel like I need a nap after.

Tips I Learned the Hard Way

• Don’t Over-Marinate: More than an hour and the shrimp start getting weird.
• High Heat Matters: Medium heat won’t give you that glaze.
• Dry Shrimp First: Extra moisture kills the sear.
• One Layer Only: Crowded shrimp steam instead of cook.
• Fish Sauce Is Optional: But it adds depth without tasting fishy.
• Turn Off the Heat Early: Residual heat does the final magic.
• Taste the Marinade: Adjust soy sauce before adding shrimp.
• Have Everything Ready: Once cooking starts, there’s no time to think.

Variations You Can Mess Around With

1. Spicy Mood: Add chili flakes or a little sriracha.
2. Citrus Twist: Finish with a squeeze of lime.
3. Garlic Lover: Add extra garlic. No one’s stopping you.
4. Sweeter Version: A little more honey for sticky shrimp vibes.
5. Low Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce and adjust later.
6. Veg Add-In: Toss in snap peas or bell peppers at the end.
7. Bowl Style: Serve over rice or quinoa for a full meal.

How To Make High-Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp?

Ingredients (Everything You Actually Need)

• 1 pound large raw shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons mild honey
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, more if you like it saltier
• 1 teaspoon Asian fish sauce, optional but worth it
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions (How This Actually Comes Together)

Step 1:
First, make sure your shrimp are fully thawed and drained. Water is the enemy here. Keep them in the fridge while you get everything else ready.

Step 2:
In a bowl, whisk together the garlic, honey, ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce. It’ll smell strong. That’s a good sign.

Step 3:
Add the shrimp and toss them around until every piece is coated. I use a spatula and give it a solid couple of minutes. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes, tossing once or twice if you remember.

Step 4:
Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat and brush it lightly with oil. When you see little wisps of smoke, it’s ready. This part moves fast.

Step 5:
Use tongs to place the shrimp into the pan in a single layer. Don’t dump everything in at once. Save the marinade.

Step 6:
Sear the shrimp for 2 minutes, then flip them over. Pour in the reserved marinade and let it cook for 1 minute.

Step 7:
Turn off the heat, flip the shrimp one more time, and let everything sit in the hot pan for about 1 minute. The sauce will thicken and turn glossy just from the leftover heat.

Step 8:
Finish with sliced green onions and call it dinner.

This High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp is quick, flavorful, and ridiculously easy for how good it tastes. Sweet honey, sharp garlic, and savory soy sauce come together in a glossy glaze that coats juicy shrimp in minutes.

It’s high in protein, low on effort, and perfect for busy nights when you still want something satisfying.

If it’s not perfect the first time, congrats. You’re doing it right. That’s kind of the whole point.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Additional Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 2

Calories: 304

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound large raw shrimp 16–20 count, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons mild honey
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce more if you like it saltier
• 1 teaspoon Asian fish sauce optional but worth it
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup green onions thinly sliced

Method

 

1. First, make sure your shrimp are fully thawed and drained. Water is the enemy here. Keep them in the fridge while you get everything else ready.
2. Step 2:
3. In a bowl, whisk together the garlic, honey, ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce. It’ll smell strong. That’s a good sign.
4. Step 3:
5. Add the shrimp and toss them around until every piece is coated. I use a spatula and give it a solid couple of minutes. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes, tossing once or twice if you remember.
6. Step 4:
7. Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat and brush it lightly with oil. When you see little wisps of smoke, it’s ready. This part moves fast.
8. Step 5:
9. Use tongs to place the shrimp into the pan in a single layer. Don’t dump everything in at once. Save the marinade.
10. Step 6:
11. Sear the shrimp for 2 minutes, then flip them over. Pour in the reserved marinade and let it cook for 1 minute.
12. Step 7:
13. Turn off the heat, flip the shrimp one more time, and let everything sit in the hot pan for about 1 minute. The sauce will thicken and turn glossy just from the leftover heat.
14. Step 8:
15. Finish with sliced green onions and call it dinner.

Nutritional Information

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

How I Like to Serve This

1. Quick Dinner: With plain rice and nothing else.
2. Meal Prep: Shrimp on one side, veggies on the other.
3. Light Lunch: Over greens with extra sauce.
4. Date Night Cheat Code: Looks fancy, takes no time.
5. Post-Workout Meal: Protein without boredom.
6. Straight From the Pan: Standing at the counter. Fork optional.

Storage, Leftovers, and Next-Day Thoughts

• Fridge Friendly: Keeps well for up to 2 days.
• Reheat Gently: Low heat or it turns rubbery.
• Microwave Careful: Short bursts only.
• Cold Is Fine: Surprisingly good chilled.
• Sauce Thickens More: Loosens with a splash of water.
• No Freezing: Shrimp texture doesn’t love it.

FAQs (Real Questions People Actually Ask)

Can I make this ahead of time?: You can marinate ahead, but cook it fresh.

What if I don’t have fish sauce?: Skip it. Still great.

Can I use frozen shrimp?: Yes, just thaw and dry them well.

Is it supposed to be sticky?: Yes. That glaze is the goal.

Can I use another oil?: Any neutral oil works.

What if my sauce is too thick?: Add a splash of water or broth.

Is this spicy?: Nope. Unless you make it that way.

Why did my shrimp turn tough?: Probably cooked too long. It happens.