Honey Garlic Shrimp & Snow Pea Stir-Fry

This light, flavorful stir-fry is perfect for busy weeknights when you want dinner on the table fast. Once your ingredients are prepped, the entire dish comes together in about 15–20 minutes.

Tender shrimp and crisp snow peas are tossed in a sweet, savory, slightly spicy honey-garlic sauce with fresh ginger and sesame. Serve it over brown or white rice, quinoa, or rice noodles. For even more vegetables, add a side of stir-fried broccoli seasoned with coconut aminos and red pepper flakes.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Shrimp & Snow Peas

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound snow peas, stems and strings removed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for serving

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons hot honey
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 1/2–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

1. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, hot honey, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
2. Cook the shrimp. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to turn pink but aren’t fully cooked through.
3. Add the snow peas. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes. Keep the cooking time short so the snow peas stay bright and crisp.
4. Add the sauce. Whisk the sauce again and pour it into the skillet. Toss continuously to coat the shrimp and snow peas.
5. Let it thicken. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
6. Finish and serve. Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and additional red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately.

Why We Love This Recipe

This is exactly the kind of dinner that’s worth keeping in your back pocket. It uses a short ingredient list, delivers plenty of protein and vegetables in one skillet, and comes together faster than ordering takeout.

The snow peas stay crisp, the shrimp cook in minutes, and the hot honey gives the garlic-ginger sauce a sweet-and-spicy kick without requiring a long list of ingredients.

Cooking Tips

Prep first. Stir-frying moves quickly, so mix the sauce and have all your ingredients ready before heating the skillet.

Don’t overcook the shrimp. Add the sauce while the shrimp are still slightly underdone. They’ll finish cooking as the sauce thickens.

Keep the snow peas crisp. Two minutes is plenty. You’re looking for bright green and crisp-tender, not soft.

Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and confirm your other packaged ingredients are gluten-free.

Add more vegetables. Broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, or bok choy would all work well.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Shrimp

Keep it simple with:

• Brown or white rice
• Rice noodles
• Quinoa
• Cauliflower rice
• Stir-fried broccoli
• An extra serving of sautéed vegetables

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shrimp take to cook in a stir-fry?

Shrimp cook very quickly. Depending on their size and the pan heat, they typically need only a few minutes. They’re ready when the flesh is opaque and the shrimp are cooked through.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes. Thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. Removing excess moisture will help them sauté rather than steam.

How do you keep snow peas crisp in a stir-fry?

Cook them briefly over relatively high heat. Adding them toward the end of cooking helps preserve their bright color and crisp texture.

Can I make this shrimp stir-fry gluten-free?

Yes. Substitute certified gluten-free tamari for soy sauce and check the labels of your remaining packaged ingredients.

Can I make the honey garlic sauce ahead of time?

Yes. Mix the sauce ahead and refrigerate it in a sealed container. Whisk it again immediately before adding it to the skillet because the cornstarch may settle.