Honey Sesame Shrimp Recipe

honey sesame shrimp over rice on brown plate

4.71 from 47 votes

This Honey Sesame Shrimp features tender shrimp coated in a sticky, sweet-and-savory honey sesame sauce with garlic and soy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's an easy better-than-takeout dinner that's perfect served over rice with your favorite vegetables.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer/Main Course

Cuisine: American, asian

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: servings

Author: Becky Hardin

Ingredients

1 lb. jumbo shrimp deveined & tail on
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp cornstarch
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet. Add the shrimp and salt to the pan and cook just until the tails start to curl.
1 lb. jumbo shrimp, 1 tbsp sesame oil, ½ tsp salt
Mix the soy sauce, honey and cornstarch together in a small bowl and pour it over the shrimp.
2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch
Cook until the shrimp have turned pink and have curled up a bit.
Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 3-4 minutes to let the sauce thicken a bit.
Serve over some white rice and garnish with fresh spring onions, crushed cashews and sesame seeds.

Notes

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking. Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp sear properly and allows the sauce to cling better.
Use large or jumbo shrimp for the best texture and presentation. Smaller shrimp cook very quickly and can become overcooked.
Cook the shrimp just until pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery.
Whisk the honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch until completely smooth before adding them to the skillet to prevent lumps in the sauce.
Let the sauce simmer until it becomes glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Toss the shrimp frequently once the sauce is added so every piece gets evenly coated.
Remove the skillet from the heat as soon as the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Continuing to cook can make the sauce too thick or cause the honey to scorch.
Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and crushed cashews for extra crunch, flavor, and visual appeal.
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
To add some heat, stir a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha into the sauce.
If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking.

Nutrition