If you love bright, flavor-packed meals that come together in a flash, Honey Orange Shrimp will instantly win a spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. This zesty seafood dish blends the sweetness of honey, the tang of fresh orange juice, and a savory umami hit from soy sauce, all working together to make juicy shrimp absolutely irresistible. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a showstopper that’s as perfect for an upbeat family dinner as it is for impressing last-minute guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What truly sets this dish apart is the way each ingredient brings something essential to the table—whether it’s a pop of citrus, a touch of richness, or a savory backbone. You’ll be amazed by how these simple pantry staples create an incredible depth of flavor in every bite of Honey Orange Shrimp.
- Shrimp: Large, peeled and deveined shrimp are the star, absorbing every drop of that mouthwatering sauce.
- Fresh orange juice: Delivers brightness and citrusy zing, balancing the natural sweetness.
- Honey: Adds rich, floral sweetness that pairs perfectly with both the orange and savory elements.
- Soy sauce: Infuses the dish with a salty, umami background without overpowering the delicate shrimp.
- Rice vinegar: Offers gentle acidity, enhancing all the other flavors.
- Sesame oil: Provides a nutty, aromatic depth that signals classic Asian-inspired flavors.
- Garlic: Two minced cloves lend a warm, savory note that permeates the sauce.
- Fresh ginger: A teaspoon of grated ginger brings subtle heat and freshness.
- Cornstarch: Quickly thickens the sauce to silky perfection.
- Water: Used with cornstarch to make a smooth slurry.
- Olive oil: For perfectly sautéing the shrimp, ensuring a golden sear.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds (optional): Add color, crunch, and a final flourish to your plate.
How to Make Honey Orange Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Before you even turn on the stove, take a minute to whisk together the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. This vibrant sauce is truly the heart of Honey Orange Shrimp, and mixing it upfront ensures a speedy, seamless cooking process.
Step 2: Create the Cornstarch Slurry
In another small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry. This might seem like a tiny step, but it’s what will give your sauce that luscious, glossy finish.
Step 3: Sear the Shrimp
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side—turning just once—for a perfectly pink and tender result. As soon as they’re cooked through, remove them to a plate to avoid overcooking.
Step 4: Simmer and Thicken the Sauce
Pour the vibrant sauce into your hot skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry, and watch as the sauce transforms in just a couple of minutes from thin and watery to thick, shiny, and packed with flavor.
Step 5: Finish the Dish
Toss the seared shrimp back into the thickened sauce, ensuring every piece is gloriously coated. Let them heat through for about a minute so the flavors can meld. Give everything a final gentle stir, then get ready to plate and enjoy the Honey Orange Shrimp magic.
How to Serve Honey Orange Shrimp
Garnishes
Nothing beats the finishing touch of sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds over your Honey Orange Shrimp. Not only do they add a pop of color, but they also bring a subtle crunch and a fresh, toasty flavor that makes each bite even more satisfying.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with a fluffy bed of steamed white or brown rice, which soaks up every drop of the luscious sauce. If you’re craving something even lighter, try serving Honey Orange Shrimp with stir-fried or steamed vegetables like snap peas, bok choy, or broccoli for a vibrant, healthy meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your saucy shrimp over a bed of white rice noodles or scoop them into lettuce cups for a fresh, hand-held party bite. You can even toss them with cooked quinoa or use the shrimp as a gourmet taco filling—think Asian-fusion night at home!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, simply let them cool and transfer to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, Honey Orange Shrimp will keep for up to 2 days—though they’re so tasty, they might disappear long before then!
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this dish, as the sauce can separate and the shrimp may become rubbery upon thawing. For the best flavor and texture, enjoy Honey Orange Shrimp fresh or from the fridge within a couple of days.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the shrimp gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but be careful not to overcook the shrimp—they only need about 30 seconds to a minute to heat through.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for Honey Orange Shrimp?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels before cooking, so your shrimp gets that lovely sear and the sauce doesn’t turn watery.
What can I substitute for honey?
If you’re out of honey or prefer another sweetener, maple syrup works beautifully. The flavor will be slightly different, but still absolutely delicious in this Honey Orange Shrimp recipe.
Is this recipe spicy?
By default, it’s mild and perfect for all palates. If you want a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha stirred into the sauce does the trick.
Can I make the sauce in advance?
Yes, you can whisk together the sauce ingredients up to a day ahead and store in the fridge. This actually speeds up dinner even more, letting you focus on searing and saucing your shrimp at mealtime.
What’s the best way to peel and devein shrimp?
Purchase shrimp already peeled and deveined for ultimate convenience or use a small paring knife to gently slice down the back of the shrimp and lift out the vein. Keeping the tails on looks elegant, but it’s totally up to you!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something irresistible about Honey Orange Shrimp: it’s speedy, beautiful, and bursting with vibrant flavor. I hope you’re tempted to add it to your repertoire—for an easy weeknight treat or whenever you want to brighten up your table. Give it a try, and I promise, this dish will be an instant favorite!
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Honey Orange Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and easy-to-make recipe for Honey Orange Shrimp that combines succulent shrimp with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
Orange Sauce:
- 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish:
- sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Make the Slurry: In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for another minute to heat through. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with white rice, brown rice, or stir-fried vegetables.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
