Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

If you love shrimp with a sweet and savory glaze, this honey garlic butter shrimp is an easy seafood dinner worth adding to the rotation. The shrimp stay juicy while that buttery garlic sauce turns glossy and irresistible, coming together in just 25 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Sweet and savory in every bite. Honey, garlic, and soy sauce create a perfectly balanced glaze.
• Ready in 25 minutes. A fast, flavorful dinner that doesn’t require much effort.
• That glossy finish. Simmering the sauce until thickened gives the shrimp a beautiful, restaurant-style shine.
• A little heat if you want it. Red pepper flakes are optional, so you can adjust to taste.

Ingredients

• 1½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 green onions, finely sliced

How to Make Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

1. Season the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt, tossing gently until evenly coated.

2. Sear until golden. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and sear briefly on each side until lightly golden. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.

3. Make the honey garlic butter. Reduce the heat and melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Add the garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Cook briefly until fragrant.

4. Build the glaze. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and fresh lemon juice. Let the honey garlic sauce simmer gently until glossy and slightly thickened.

5. Glaze the shrimp. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss thoroughly in the honey garlic butter sauce. Cook just until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

6. Add the fresh finish. Stir in the parsley and green onions, coating the garlic shrimp with the buttery glaze.

7. Serve hot. Arrange the honey garlic butter shrimp on a serving platter. Spoon the extra sauce generously over the shrimp and finish with a little additional parsley.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

• Don’t overcook the shrimp in the initial sear. A brief sear on each side is enough; they’ll finish cooking when tossed in the glaze.
• Let the sauce simmer until glossy. This concentrates the flavor and creates that signature sticky-sweet coating.
• Watch the garlic closely. It can burn quickly in hot butter, so keep an eye on it during that step.
• Toss thoroughly when glazing. This ensures every shrimp gets coated evenly in the honey garlic butter.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

This dish is delicious served over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the glossy sauce. A simple side of steamed vegetables also pairs nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions