High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe You'll Love

Name: High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 16 min
Ingredients: 1 lb large raw shrimp (, peeled and deveined); 1 tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp kosher salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 3 tbsp honey; 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari); 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar); 2 tsp grated fresh ginger; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional); 2 green onions (thinly sliced); 1 tsp sesame seeds; Juice of 1/2 lime; Cooked brown rice (quinoa, or greens for serving); steamed broccoli (or sliced red bell pepper, optional)

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You know those meals that instantly feel like a hug? That’s this High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp for me: bright, sticky, and impossibly satisfying. If you’re juggling workouts, late nights, or just hunger that won’t wait, this dish gives you a serious protein boost without hours in the kitchen. Keep reading — I’ll walk you through little tricks that make the glaze cling perfectly and the shrimp stay tender every time.

If you’re scaling up for a crowd, the Honey Garlic Sheet Pan Sausage is an easy alternative.

High-protein honey garlic shrimp served over white rice with broccoli, sesame seeds, and green onions.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This recipe is fast, flexible, and focused on protein. Shrimp cooks in minutes, the honey-garlic sauce is bold with minimal ingredients, and you can pair it with rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or leafy greens depending on your goals. It’s the kind of dinner that feels fancy but isn’t fussy — perfect for date nights, meal prep, or tucking into between errands.

If you love the sweet-savory punch, try our Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls for another weeknight winner.

Ingredients

Serves 4

Shrimp: 1 lb (450 g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off depending on preference
Marinade & coating: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp cornstarch
Honey-Garlic Sauce: 3 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp grated fresh ginger, 3 garlic cloves minced
To finish: 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional), 2 green onions thinly sliced, 1 tsp sesame seeds, juice of 1/2 lime
Veggies (optional but recommended): 2 cups broccoli florets or 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced — steamed or stir-fried briefly
For serving: Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or a bed of greens

How to Make High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp

Time needed: 16 minutes

This section walks you through a quick, fail-safe method. Set a timer — you’ll be surprised how fast this comes together.

Prep the shrimp and sauce
Toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, pepper and cornstarch. The cornstarch gives the shrimp a slightly crisp coating and helps the sauce cling. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
Cook the shrimp
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of neutral oil and spread the shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque and pink — avoid overcooking. Remove the shrimp to a plate while you finish the sauce. If using vegetables, quickly stir-fry them in the same pan for a minute or two until bright and tender-crisp.
Make the sticky glaze
Lower the heat to medium. Pour the honey-garlic mixture into the skillet and let it warm for 30–45 seconds. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk 1 tsp cornstarch into 2 tbsp cold water and add it now, stirring until glossy. Return the shrimp (and veggies) to the pan, toss for 30–60 seconds until everything is well-coated, then finish with sesame oil, lime juice, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds.
Serve
Plate the shrimp over rice or greens and spoon any extra glaze on top. A sprinkle of chopped cilantro or extra lime wedges adds brightness. If you like heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha is a lovely contrast to the sweet glaze.

High-protein honey garlic shrimp bowl with white rice, steamed broccoli, sesame seeds, and green onions.

Quick tips from the kitchen

Buy deveined shrimp if you’re short on time — it shaves minutes off prep.
Don’t crowd the pan; shrimp need contact with the hot surface to get that light sear.
Make the sauce ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat and toss with freshly cooked shrimp for an ultra-fast meal.
When you’re craving that same sticky glaze on something bite-sized, my go-to is Honey Garlic Chicken Bites.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes — thaw thoroughly and pat dry before tossing with cornstarch. Excess moisture stops the shrimp from searing properly.

Is this gluten-free?

If you swap soy sauce for tamari and check your honey and other ingredients, this can be made gluten-free easily.

How do I make this higher in protein?

Shrimp is already protein-dense (roughly 20–24 g per 4-ounce serving). Serve over quinoa or mix in edamame for extra protein without adding much fat.

Can I scale this for meal prep?

Absolutely. Cook shrimp just until opaque, cool, and store with sauce separately. Reheat gently in a skillet so the shrimp stays tender.

Conclusion

High Protein Honey Garlic Shrimp is one of those dishes that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss — sticky, garlicky, and ready in about 20 minutes. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or want a quick dinner that feels special, this recipe fits the bill. Play around with the sweetness, add vegetables you love, and serve it over whatever carbohydrate or greens you prefer.

Happy cooking — and don’t be surprised if this becomes a go-to on repeat. For a brighter, salad-forward take, check out our Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado Corn Salsa.