20-Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry with Veggies

This easy 20-minute Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry is a quick, healthy weeknight meal that’s full of flavor and made in one pan.

Shrimp is one of the fastest, most versatile proteins to cook with. It cooks in minutes, pairs beautifully with a variety of vegetables and takes on bold flavors easily. This honey garlic stir fry is one of my favorites because the sauce comes together with just a few ingredients and the whole meal is done in about 20 minutes. Add it to your weekly rotation for a dependable, flavorful dinner.

Why You’ll Love This

• Ready in under 20 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights.
• A simple, balanced sweet-and-savory sauce made from just a handful of ingredients.
• Customizable — swap or add vegetables or change the protein to chicken or tofu.
• One-pan cooking for easy preparation and cleanup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Shrimp – fresh or frozen and thawed, peeled and deveined. Use raw shrimp (not precooked).
• Asparagus – trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces. Swap with broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, snow peas, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms or any vegetables you prefer.
• Olive oil – or another high smoke point oil such as avocado or canola oil.
• Soy sauce – reduced sodium is recommended. For gluten-free options use tamari or coconut aminos.
• Rice vinegar – adds brightness; substitute with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if needed.
• Honey – for sweetness and glaze. Maple syrup works as a substitute.
• Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best. Use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder if necessary.
• Ginger – fresh minced ginger gives the best flavor.
• Cornstarch – 1 to 2 teaspoons to thicken the sauce.

How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp

1. Cook shrimp and vegetables: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and cook until it just begins to turn pink, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus (or chosen vegetables), season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender-crisp, about 2–3 more minutes.
2. Make the sauce: While the shrimp cooks, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, minced ginger and 1 teaspoon cornstarch (use 2 teaspoons if you prefer a thicker sauce). Set aside.
3. Add the sauce: Pour the sauce into the hot skillet and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp and vegetables, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or chopped cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.

How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp

• Overnight: Thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator for 24 hours in a bowl or sealed bag.
• Day-of: Place shrimp in a sealed plastic bag and submerge in cold running water until thawed, usually about 45 minutes.

How to Serve

• Over rice: Serve over white, brown or jasmine rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
• With noodles: Toss with lo mein, rice noodles or spaghetti to soak up the sauce.
• With a salad: Pair with a simple green salad or shredded cabbage salad for a lighter meal.
• As spring rolls or egg rolls: Use spring roll wrappers to wrap shrimp and vegetables, then bake or fry until golden.
• As an appetizer: Serve skewered shrimp with toothpicks and a dipping sauce.

Prepping and Storage

To store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

To freeze: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating and reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat for best texture.

Meal prep: Portion into airtight containers for easy lunches. This dish pairs well with cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal prep option.

Recipe Card

If you try this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry and enjoy it, please consider rating the recipe or sharing your version on social media. I love seeing how you make it your own!