Name: 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined; ¼ cup honey; ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 cups cooked white or brown rice; 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening); 1 tbsp water (if using cornstarch); 2 tbsp green onions, sliced (for garnish); 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

Jump to Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with dinnertime all over again! The 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl is everything you crave during a busy weeknight: mouthwatering jumbo shrimp glazed in a sticky-sweet, garlicky sauce, all piled high on a fluffy bed of rice and sprinkled with vibrant, crunchy toppings. Whether you’re looking to impress the family without breaking a sweat or simply want a comforting, flavor-packed meal in record time, this dish delivers big rewards with minimal effort — and plenty of personality!

20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of staple ingredients, you’re moments away from a bold and beautiful meal. Each element plays a starring role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that make the 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl an instant weeknight classic.

Shrimp: Fresh, large shrimp turn beautifully tender and juicy, soaking up every drop of sauce.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps lacquer the shrimp in a glossy, irresistible glaze.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Balances sweetness with a deep, savory backbone and keeps the dish from getting too salty.
Garlic: Four cloves infuse the sauce with punchy, aromatic flavor — don’t skimp!
Fresh ginger: Lends a touch of gentle heat and zing that brightens up the other flavors.
Olive oil: Just enough to sear the shrimp and keep everything lush, not greasy.
Cooked white or brown rice: The perfect blank canvas for soaking up all the saucy goodness.
Cornstarch (optional): If you love an extra-thick, sticky sauce, a touch of cornstarch does the trick.
Water (if using cornstarch): Whisks with cornstarch to make a quick slurry for thickening.
Green onions: Sliced thin, these add crisp freshness and a pop of color for the finish.
Sesame seeds: Offer a nutty crunch that makes every bite even more delicious.

How to Make 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Start things off by preparing your favorite white or brown rice according to the package instructions. Once it’s cooked and steaming, set it aside and get ready for the main event. Having your rice warm and ready is the best way to ensure your 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl comes together seamlessly.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger. If you’re a fan of extra rich, thick sauces, now’s the time to mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir that in as well. This powerhouse mixture infuses every bite with that signature sweet and savory umami punch you love.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Watch for that magical transformation: they’ll turn pink, curl up, and develop a gorgeous golden tinge. The key here is to move quickly so the shrimp stay juicy and tender.

Step 4: Add the Sauce

Pour in your honey garlic sauce and let the magic happen! Toss the shrimp to coat them thoroughly, letting the sauce come to a lively simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. If you added cornstarch, you’ll notice the sauce thickening up and clinging to every piece of shrimp. Once glossy and bubbling, you’re ready for the final flourish.

Step 5: Serve

Spoon out a generous helping of hot rice into each bowl, then top with the honey garlic shrimp and plenty of extra sauce. Finish things off with a liberal sprinkling of sliced green onions and sesame seeds for that restaurant-worthy look and a dash of extra flavor. Grab your chopsticks (or a fork!) and savor every bite of your freshly made 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl.

How to Serve 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl

Garnishes

No bowl is complete without a handful of vibrant toppings! A shower of fresh green onions lends sharpness and color, while sesame seeds offer that perfectly nutty crunch. If you love a little extra heat, try adding a smattering of red pepper flakes or a scoop of chili crisp for a spicy twist on the classic 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl.

Side Dishes

Round out your meal by pairing this dish with some snappy steamed broccoli, sautéed snow peas, or an easy cucumber salad. The bright, fresh sides contrast beautifully with the rich shrimp and sauce, making the 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl a full, satisfying dinner you can feel proud to serve.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want a fun spin, try serving your shrimp and rice in lettuce cups for a hand-held appetizer, or layer everything in small mason jars for a portable lunch. For a family-style presentation, pile the shrimp on a platter with rice on the side and let everyone build their own perfect bowl — the 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl is endlessly adaptable to suit your personal flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer your leftover shrimp, sauce, and rice into separate airtight containers. Stored in the fridge, they’ll keep fresh for up to 3 days. Keeping them separate helps keep the rice from getting too soggy and allows for easy reheating later on.

Freezing

While rice and shrimp are both freezer-friendly, for the very best texture, freeze the shrimp and sauce together and make fresh rice when you reheat. Let cooked shrimp and sauce cool fully, then seal tightly and pop them in the freezer for up to 2 months. When a craving hits, you’ll be glad you have dinner half done!

Reheating

Gently reheat the shrimp and sauce together in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. The rice can be warmed briefly in the microwave or steamed on the stovetop. Bringing everything back together ensures your 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl tastes just as delightful the second time around.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp fully and pat them dry before cooking; this helps avoid extra water in the pan and keeps your shrimp perfectly seared in the 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl.

What other vegetables can I add?

Feel free to toss in quick-cooking veggies like snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli alongside the shrimp. Not only do they add more color and crunch, but they also soak up that gorgeous honey garlic sauce!

Can I use chicken instead of shrimp?

Definitely! Thinly sliced chicken breast or thigh works great here — just adjust the cooking time, as chicken will need a bit longer to cook through. You’ll still get to enjoy all the flavors of your favorite 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl.

What type of rice works best?

Both white and brown rice work beautifully for this recipe; jasmine or basmati offer a lovely fragrance, while brown rice adds extra fiber. You can even use cauliflower rice for a lighter twist.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into your sauce before pouring it onto the shrimp. This extra step helps the sauce cling deliciously to every piece in your 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl.

Final Thoughts

Once you make your first 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl, it’s sure to become a weeknight staple. It’s fast, outrageously flavorful, and endlessly flexible — a recipe that turns any ordinary evening into something special. Don’t be surprised if it ends up in heavy rotation at your dinner table!

20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 27 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Pescatarian

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Description

This 20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp & Rice Bowl is a quick and flavorful dish that combines succulent shrimp in a sweet and savory garlic sauce served over a bed of rice.

Instructions

Cook the Rice: Prepare the rice according to package instructions and set aside.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. If using cornstarch, mix it with water and add to the sauce.
Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and slightly golden.
Add the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic sauce over the shrimp and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp.
Serve: Spoon the shrimp and sauce over a bowl of warm rice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian