Introduction
Are you craving a dinner that’s bursting with flavor, incredibly satisfying, and surprisingly quick to prepare after a long day? Picture this: tender, juicy shrimp coated in a luscious, sticky honey garlic glaze, nestled alongside fluffy rice and vibrant veggies. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, today, we’re turning that dream into a delightful reality with a recipe that’s sure to become a new family favorite. Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine into a culinary adventure with these incredible Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls!
Why Make This Recipe
These Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls are amazing because they are:
- Lightning-Fast Dinner: Perfect for busy weeknights, these bowls come together in under 30 minutes!
- Flavor Explosion: That sweet and savory honey garlic glaze is simply irresistible, waking up every taste bud.
- Wholesome & Balanced: Packed with lean protein, healthy grains, and customizable veggies for a complete meal.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Easily prepare components ahead of time for even quicker assembly.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds of these delicious Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls.
- Customizable: Adapt it to your taste and what you have on hand – endless possibilities!
How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
Making Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls is easy. You will prepare the sauce, cook the shrimp, and then combine everything into delicious bowls.
Ingredients of Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
For the Honey Garlic Shrimp
- 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
For the Rice Bowls
- 2 cups cooked white rice (Jasmine or Basmati recommended)
- 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Directions of Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Glaze the Shrimp: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the cooked shrimp. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp beautifully. Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking the shrimp.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls.
- Add Your Veggies: Arrange the steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and sliced red bell pepper alongside the rice in each bowl.
- Top with Shrimp: Spoon a generous serving of the glorious Honey Garlic Shrimp over the rice and vegetables.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
Serve these Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls hot right after preparing them. They are a complete meal on their own.
How to Store Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
Store leftover Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, gently reheat the shrimp and rice separately.
Tips to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks fast! Remove it from the heat as soon as it turns pink and opaque. This keeps it tender and juicy.
- Fresh Ginger is Key: Fresh ginger makes the honey garlic sauce taste much better.
- Adjust Sweetness/Saltiness: Taste the sauce before adding it to the shrimp. Add more honey if you like it sweeter, or more soy sauce if you like it saltier.
- Prep Ahead: Cook your rice and chop your vegetables before you start cooking. This makes dinner assembly even quicker.
- Thaw Shrimp Properly: If you use frozen shrimp, thaw it completely and pat it dry. This stops extra water from thinning the sauce.
Variation
- Lettuce Wraps: Skip the rice and use crisp lettuce cups for your Honey Garlic Shrimp. This is a lighter, low-carb choice.
- Noodle Power: Use your favorite cooked noodles (like ramen or rice noodles) instead of rice for a different texture.
- Quinoa Base: Use cooked quinoa instead of rice for more protein.
- Extra Veggies: Add more vegetables like sautéed spinach, snap peas, or edamame to your bowls.
- Spicy Kick: Add a bit of sriracha or more red pepper flakes if you like extra heat.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make the honey garlic sauce ahead of time for these Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls?
A1: Yes, you can! You can mix the honey garlic sauce 2-3 days before. Keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This helps you cook your Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls even faster.
Q2: What’s the best way to reheat leftover Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls?
A2: Reheat the shrimp and rice separately. Use a microwave or a low heat stovetop. Be careful not to cook the shrimp too much when reheating, as it can get tough.
Q3: I don’t have rice vinegar. What’s a good substitute for Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls?
A3: If you do not have rice vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or fresh lime juice. These will give a similar tangy taste to your Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls.

Classic Honey Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Large skillet or wok
Ingredients
For the Honey Garlic Shrimp:
- 2 lbs large shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a kick
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
For the Rice Bowls:
- 2 cups cooked white rice Jasmine or Basmati recommended
- 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ red bell pepper thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Instructions
- Whisk together garlic, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a bowl to make the sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat, then cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce over the cooked shrimp and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the shrimp. Remove from heat immediately.
- Divide the cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls.
- Arrange steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and sliced red bell pepper next to the rice in each bowl.
- Spoon a generous serving of the honey garlic shrimp over the rice and vegetables.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.
