Easy Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

I’ve been making this honey garlic butter shrimp on repeat lately, and honestly, I can’t get enough of it! There’s something magical about the way the sweet honey mingles with all that buttery garlic goodness, coating perfectly crispy shrimp in the most irresistible sauce. Trust me, this is one of those recipes that tastes like it came from a restaurant but comes together in your kitchen in about 20 minutes flat.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1050-1200
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 60-75 g
• Carbohydrates: 65-80 g

Ingredients

For the shrimp:

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on)
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for shallow frying

For the sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic (freshly minced)
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

For the garnish:

• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Step 1: Prepare Mise en Place and Season the Shrimp

• 1 lb large shrimp
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels—this is crucial for achieving a golden crust when frying.

In a shallow bowl, combine cornstarch, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

Toss the shrimp in this mixture until evenly coated, shaking off any excess.

Measure out all remaining ingredients (garlic, ginger, honey, vinegar, butter, oils, sesame seeds, and cilantro) into separate small bowls so everything is ready when you need it.

Step 2: Shallow-Fry the Shrimp Until Golden

• Vegetable oil for shallow frying
• cornstarch-coated shrimp from Step 1

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers (about 2-3 minutes).

Working in batches to avoid crowding, carefully place the cornstarch-coated shrimp into the hot oil.

Fry for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until golden and cooked through—the shrimp should have a slight crust but still be tender inside.

Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Build the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

Return the now-empty skillet to medium heat and add the olive oil and 1.5 tablespoons of the butter.

Once the butter foams, immediately add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don't let them brown.

Add the red pepper flakes and stir for another 10 seconds.

Pour in the honey and rice vinegar, stirring well to combine.

I like to let this simmer for about 1 minute so the flavors meld together and the sauce becomes slightly glossy.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce and Bring Shrimp Back Together

• sauce from Step 3
• fried shrimp from Step 2
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil

Whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the simmering sauce along with the sesame oil, creating a creamy, luxurious coating.

Gently stir the fried shrimp back into the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.

Let everything simmer together for just 30 seconds to warm the shrimp through and allow the flavors to meld.

For the best texture, I prefer to add the shrimp back at the very end so they stay tender and don't overcook in the sauce.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

• honey garlic butter shrimp from Step 4
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Transfer the honey garlic butter shrimp to a serving plate or individual bowls.

Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds for a pop of color and nutty flavor.

Serve immediately while the sauce is still warm, alongside steamed rice, lettuce wraps, or your preferred accompaniment.

Easy Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

Delicious Easy Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 37 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 1125

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

For the shrimp

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on)
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for shallow frying

For the sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic (freshly minced)
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

For the garnish

• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Method

 

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels—this is crucial for achieving a golden crust when frying. In a shallow bowl, combine cornstarch, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss the shrimp in this mixture until evenly coated, shaking off any excess. Measure out all remaining ingredients (garlic, ginger, honey, vinegar, butter, oils, sesame seeds, and cilantro) into separate small bowls so everything is ready when you need it.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers (about 2-3 minutes). Working in batches to avoid crowding, carefully place the cornstarch-coated shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until golden and cooked through—the shrimp should have a slight crust but still be tender inside. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
3. Return the now-empty skillet to medium heat and add the olive oil and 1.5 tablespoons of the butter. Once the butter foams, immediately add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don't let them brown. Add the red pepper flakes and stir for another 10 seconds. Pour in the honey and rice vinegar, stirring well to combine. I like to let this simmer for about 1 minute so the flavors meld together and the sauce becomes slightly glossy.
4. Whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the simmering sauce along with the sesame oil, creating a creamy, luxurious coating. Gently stir the fried shrimp back into the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Let everything simmer together for just 30 seconds to warm the shrimp through and allow the flavors to meld. For the best texture, I prefer to add the shrimp back at the very end so they stay tender and don't overcook in the sauce.
5. Transfer the honey garlic butter shrimp to a serving plate or individual bowls. Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds for a pop of color and nutty flavor. Serve immediately while the sauce is still warm, alongside steamed rice, lettuce wraps, or your preferred accompaniment.