Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe | Joyful Healthy Eats

These flavorful honey garlic shrimp are quick appetizer for your next party or perfect to put on top of salad or rice. Freshly grilled and sprinkled with herby cilantro, they’re the perfect bite.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Fire up the grill all summer long with these easy honey garlic shrimp skewers!

• Effortless. You only need to marinate the shrimp in a homemade honey-garlic sauce for 10 minutes before grilling.
• Great for gatherings. Double or triple the recipe as needed depending on how many people you’re expecting over.
• Quick. This recipe only takes 30 minutes!
• Sweet-and-savory. A bit of honey, smokey paprika, and fragrant garlic create an addictively delicious flavor profile.

What You’ll Need

Sweet honey and fragrant garlic are an addictive flavor combination. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

• Large shrimp – Make sure they’re shelled and deveined.
• Honey – You can also use agave nectar.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic or garlic paste is best.
• Smoked paprika – Feel free to use sweet paprika.
• Red pepper flakes – Cayenne pepper works too.
• Water – Veggie stock is a good swap.
• Cilantro – This is an optional garnish.

What’s The Best Shrimp To Grill?

Medium-large, large, or jumbo shrimp are best for grilling. Their size allows them to remain tender and buttery as they grill, unlike what happens with smaller shrimp. Don’t worry if they’re frozen as long as you thaw them fully before cooking.

How To Make Honey Garlic Grilled Shrimp

Soaking the skewers is key so that the sticks don’t burn once the shrimp hit the grill. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

• Prep the skewers. Fill a bowl with warm water and add the skewers. Make sure they’re fully submerged. Let them soak for 20 minutes.
• Marinade the shrimp. Whisk the honey, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, and water in a bowl until smooth. Mix in the shrimp until completely coated. Refrigerate them for 10 minutes.

• Assemble the skewers. Remove the skewers from the water. Add 3-5 shrimp per skewer. Set the grill to medium-high heat.
• Grill them. Grease the grill grates with cooking spray. Set the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook them for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove them from the grill. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

Tips for Success

The shrimp absorb more spicy, garlicky goodness the more you let them marinate.

• Make it more savory. Reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons. Add 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce to the marinade. Marinate and cook as usual.
• Add veggies. Alternate chopped red onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers between the shrimp for a heartier bite.
• Watch them. To help prevent food poisoning, don’t leave the cooked skewers out for more than 30 minutes. If you’re not serving and eating them right away, it’s best to refrigerate them.
• Marinate it longer. If you’re not in a rush, marinate the shrimp for up to 8 hours. The longer you leave them in the sauce, the more flavor they’ll absorb.
• Ask the fishmonger. Save yourself some prep time by asking your local fishmonger to clean and devein the shrimp for you.
• Add a dipping sauce. Serve Roasted Garlic Aioli, Sriracha mayo, or peanut sauce on the side for more flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These honey garlic shrimp an a quick appetizer for summer gatherings. Serve them with Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Thai Quinoa Salad, or Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Other appetizer options to serve them with include Chicken Wings with Raspberry Hoisin Glaze and Korean Baked Chicken Wings.

Proper Storage

Shrimp are always the most buttery and tender the day they’re made, but you can store them for a couple days.

• Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• To reheat it: Sprinkle them with 1/2 teaspoon water and microwave in 15-second increments until warm. You can also heat them in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.

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