Irresistible Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp: Your Quick & Easy Gourmet Meal
Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary revelation that feels incredibly gourmet, yet demands only half the effort and a fraction of the time. Imagine a dish bursting with maximum flavor, ready in less than 15 minutes, with absolutely no marinating required. This recipe is designed for those busy nights when you crave something extraordinary without the lengthy prep.
This Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe has captivated home cooks worldwide and is now available with an accompanying video guide! It’s a deliciously revamped version of our ever-popular Browned Butter Honey Garlic Salmon. Here, succulent shrimp are perfectly seared in rich browned butter, then generously coated in an intoxicating sauce infused with sweet honey, pungent garlic, and bright lemon juice. With simple, accessible ingredients, this dish achieves an extraordinary depth of flavor. If you adored the salmon, prepare to fall head over heels for this shrimp rendition. Don’t just take our word for it; just read the comments section below!
The Quest for the Best Shrimp Recipe
The concept for this Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp has lingered in my mind since the original salmon recipe was first published nearly five years ago! It feels like just yesterday I was browning that butter, blending it with fragrant honey and savory garlic, and experiencing an explosion of flavors directly from my skillet. That initial moment of culinary delight was unforgettable, and it sparked a desire to recreate that magic with shrimp.
Over the past few months, I’ve revisited that wonderful feeling countless times, meticulously perfecting this recipe. This involved a dedicated process of testing and re-testing, going through pounds of fresh shrimp (or prawns, as my Australian followers would call them). The pursuit of perfection may have left a slight dent in my bank account, but it was absolutely worth it to bring you this truly exceptional recipe!
Why Browned Butter is a Game Changer
The secret weapon in this recipe is undoubtedly the browned butter, or beurre noisette. This simple technique transforms regular butter into a nutty, aromatic, golden-brown elixir that adds incredible depth and complexity to any dish. It’s not just about melting butter; it’s about carefully heating it until the milk solids toast, releasing a rich, nutty fragrance and a beautifully caramelized flavor. This flavor profile is paramount to the success of this shrimp dish, elevating it from good to absolutely phenomenal.
Mastering the Art of Cooking Shrimp
While the salmon version of this recipe was relatively straightforward to develop, adapting it for shrimp required a bit more finessing, primarily due to the unique characteristics of browned butter and shrimp’s delicate nature. It’s not simply a matter of tossing shrimp into a skillet and cooking it all at once. I tried that, and it resulted in simmered, rather than beautifully seared, shrimp – which, in the flavor department, is a definite “no bueno.” To achieve that coveted golden-brown crust and perfectly tender interior, a specific technique is required.
For this perfected shrimp recipe, I’ve used the exact same core ingredients as the salmon version – the incredible browned butter, sweet honey, and aromatic garlic. However, I’ve made a crucial addition: a tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce. This subtle inclusion provides a touch of extra saltiness and an umami depth that beautifully complements the other flavors without overpowering them. The key to success lies in searing the shrimp in batches. This ensures that each piece gets ample space in the pan to develop a rich, even sear, locking in moisture and maximizing flavor, rather than steaming in an overcrowded pan.
Choosing the Right Pan: Skillet or Non-Stick?
The choice of pan plays a vital role in achieving that perfect sear. For unparalleled flavor and a gorgeous crust on your shrimp, I highly recommend using a **well-seasoned cast iron skillet**. The heat retention and surface properties of cast iron are ideal for searing. If you don’t have a reliable, well-seasoned skillet, or if you’re concerned about food sticking, a good quality non-stick pan is your next best option. It’s crucial to avoid using a poorly seasoned skillet, especially with ingredients like honey. Honey can easily stick and burn to an unseasoned surface, making it difficult to cook and clean. So, if your skillet isn’t up to par, opt for non-stick to prevent the frustrating experience of peeling shrimp off the pan.
The Browned Butter Shrimp Process: Simplicity Meets Flavor
The culinary journey begins with the essential step of browning your butter. Over medium-high heat, watch as the butter melts, foams, and then gradually begins to subside. This is your cue! As the foam dissipates, the butter solids at the bottom of the pan will start to turn a beautiful golden brown, and a distinct, rich, nutty aroma will begin to fill your kitchen. If you’ve never browned butter before, prepare to be amazed and incredibly proud of this simple yet transformative technique.
Once your butter reaches this perfect browned stage, immediately add the remaining sauce ingredients: honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir everything together briskly, allowing the flavors to meld and infuse for a mere 30 seconds. This brief period is all it takes for the garlic to become fragrant and for the honey-butter base to transform into a cohesive, irresistible sauce. Once you experience the depth of flavor that browned butter brings, we guarantee you’ll be incorporating it into countless other recipes.
With your fragrant honey-garlic-browned butter mixture ready, it’s time for the shrimp. Add half of your shrimp to the pan, ensuring they are in a single layer without overcrowding. Allow them to sear for just 1-2 minutes on each side. This quick searing time is crucial for achieving that desired crisp texture and preventing overcooking, which leads to rubbery shrimp. Once cooked through, transfer them to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining shrimp and a fresh portion of the sauce. The result? The most beautifully flavored, perfectly cooked shrimp you’ve ever tasted!
Essential Tips for Perfect Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp
To ensure your Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp turns out perfectly every time, keep these crucial tips in mind:
- Preparation is Key: Before you even think about turning on the stove, have all your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go (this is often called “mise en place”). Browning butter happens quickly, and you’ll want to add the subsequent ingredients promptly to prevent it from burning.
- Watch Your Butter Closely: Browning butter requires your full attention. Once the foam begins to subside and the butter takes on a golden-brown hue with a nutty scent, that’s your signal. Add your remaining sauce ingredients immediately and stir them in. Don’t walk away from the pan!
- Tail On or Off: The choice is yours! You can use shrimp with the tails on for a more elegant presentation (and easy handling for appetizers) or tails off for easier eating, especially if serving over rice or pasta. Just ensure they are peeled and deveined.
- Pan Perfection: As mentioned, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet is ideal for a great sear and flavor. If you’re unsure about your skillet’s seasoning, a high-quality non-stick pan will also work wonders, ensuring the honey-garlic sauce doesn’t stick.
- Fresh Garlic Makes a Difference: Always opt for fresh garlic, minced finely. Pre-minced garlic from a jar or tube can have a different flavor profile and tends to “spit” or splatter quite a bit when added to hot butter, making for a messy cooking experience.
- Do Not Overcook the Shrimp: This is perhaps the most critical rule for cooking shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly, and overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery, tough, and unpleasant to eat. Cook until just pink and opaque, typically 1-2 minutes per side. It’s better to undercook slightly and remove from heat, as residual heat will continue to cook it for a moment.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This versatile Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, making it perfect for any occasion:
- With Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even a flavorful jasmine rice to soak up all that incredible sauce.
- Pasta Perfection: Toss the shrimp and sauce with your favorite pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or even angel hair) for a quick and satisfying meal. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese elevates it further.
- Fresh Vegetables: Complement the rich flavors with steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, green beans, or a medley of colorful bell peppers.
- Crisp Salad: For a lighter meal, serve alongside a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
- Garlic Bread: Don’t let any of that delicious sauce go to waste! Serve with crusty bread or warm garlic bread for dipping.
More Irresistible Shrimp Recipes to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with this honey garlic shrimp, be sure to explore these other fantastic shrimp dishes:
- Crispy Baked Shrimp Scampi: An easy, oven-baked alternative that’s packed with flavor.
- Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp: Rich, creamy, and bursting with Tuscan-inspired flavors.
- Pesto Shrimp Alfredo: A delightful fusion of creamy Alfredo and vibrant pesto with succulent shrimp.
WATCH US MAKE SHRIMP HERE!
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Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed, or juice of half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 21 ounces shrimp peeled and deveined, tail on or off
- 1 pinch salt to season
- 3 lemon wedges to serve
- 1 pinch fresh parsley chopped, to serve
Instructions
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Heat butter in a non stick pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Melt, swirling pan and stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes, or until the foam settles; the butter begins to change in colour to golden brown and has a nutty fragrance.
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Add the honey, lemon juice, soy sauce and garlic; stir well to combine all of the flavours together and cook for 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat.
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Pour out just over half of the browned butter from the pan (liquid only), leaving 2 tablespoons of the honey butter mixture in the pan, and reserve the rest for later.
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Add half of the shrimp to the honey/butter in the pan; sear for about 2 minutes each side, or until just cooked through and no longer opaque. Transfer to a plate; set aside.
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Wipe pan over with paper towel and add 2 more tablespoons of the honey/butter mixture to the pan. (You may need to add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or extra butter to the pan if your sauce has thickened too much.) Sear the remaining shrimp for 2 minutes each side, or until just cooked through and no longer opaque.
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Add the cooked shrimp back into the pan, and pour in the remaining honey/butter sauce; stirring through the shrimp to evenly coat. Season with salt and pepper if desired and garnish with parsley.
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Serve with steamed vegetables; over rice or with a salad
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is browned butter?
- Browned butter, also known as beurre noisette, is butter that has been cooked until the milk solids separate and toast, turning a nutty, golden-brown color and developing a rich, complex flavor. It adds immense depth to both sweet and savory dishes.
- How do I know when my shrimp is fully cooked?
- Shrimp cooks quickly! They are done when they turn opaque and pink, and curl into a loose “C” shape. If they form a tight “O” shape, they are likely overcooked and will be rubbery. Aim for 1-2 minutes per side depending on their size.
- Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
- Absolutely! Just make sure to properly thaw the shrimp beforehand. The best way to thaw frozen shrimp is to place them in a colander under cold running water for a few minutes, or transfer them to the refrigerator overnight. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure a good sear.
- What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?
- No problem! A good quality heavy-bottomed non-stick pan will work wonderfully. The key is to ensure your pan is hot enough before adding the shrimp and that it doesn’t overcrowd the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of searing.
- Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
- You can prepare the browned butter, honey, lemon, garlic, and soy sauce mixture a few hours in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. When ready to cook, gently warm it in the pan before searing the shrimp. This makes for even faster prep on a weeknight.
- Is this recipe spicy?
- As written, this recipe is not spicy. However, if you enjoy a kick, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a delightful heat that complements the sweet and savory notes.
Why This Recipe Deserves a Spot in Your Rotation
This Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp isn’t just another shrimp recipe; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with smart techniques, can yield a truly remarkable dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick yet impressive meal, or when you want to treat yourself to restaurant-quality seafood without the fuss. The combination of nutty browned butter, sweet honey, aromatic garlic, zesty lemon, and a touch of savory soy creates a harmonious flavor profile that is utterly addictive. It’s quick, easy, and undeniably delicious. Give it a try tonight and taste the magic for yourself!