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Quick Juicy Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Recipe 20-Minute Easy Dinner

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A quick and easy garlic shrimp recipe that delivers juicy, flavorful shrimp with a Hawaiian twist, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thinly
  • A small handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of large shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Dry shrimp will sear better and develop a lovely golden color. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Stir until blended. (5 minutes)
  3. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade. Let it sit for 5 minutes (no more than 10) at room temperature to soak up flavors without starting to cook. (5 minutes)
  4. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer, reserving leftover marinade. Do not crowd the pan — cook in batches if needed. (2 minutes to heat)
  5. Cook shrimp undisturbed for 1.5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1.5 minutes until shrimp are pink with golden edges but not overcooked. (3 minutes)
  6. Pour remaining marinade over shrimp, stirring quickly to coat and thicken slightly — this will glaze the shrimp and keep them juicy. Cook for another 30 seconds. (1 minute)
  7. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle sliced green onions and chopped cilantro on top before serving. (1 minute)

Notes

Make sure the skillet is hot before adding shrimp to get a quick caramelized crust without overcooking. Pat shrimp dry before marinating to ensure a good sear. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels. For a vegan twist, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave and use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Add diced fresh pineapple for a tropical boost.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic shrimp, Hawaiian shrimp, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, juicy shrimp, weeknight dinner, garlic butter shrimp