Honey Shrimp and Green Beans Is a Quick 20-Minute Dinner

Name: Honey Shrimp and Green Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 10 ounces green beans; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced; oil

By:

Brandi Oshea

Published:

October 10, 2026

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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

This honey shrimp and green beans recipe is an easy 20 minute dinner made with a few ingredients and loaded with flavor. It serves two and comes together quickly on the stovetop, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

The key is cooking the shrimp and green beans separately because shrimp cook extremely quickly while green beans need a bit longer. Once the sauce is added, everything is combined and simmered for a minute or two, so the flavors meld without overcooking the shrimp.

Green beans are good for you, and you can add extra vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms to make the dish even healthier. Serving it with rice is a smart move because the rice soaks up the sweet and savory sauce. Best of all, no fancy ingredients are required. You likely have most of them in your pantry already.

The flavor profile is sweet, savory, and slightly garlicky. The honey and soy sauce create a glossy sauce that coats every bite. The green beans stay crisp tender, and the shrimp remain juicy and tender.

It is a balanced meal that feels special but takes very little effort. With a total time of 17 minutes, it fits into even the busiest weeknight. Because you cook everything in one skillet, cleanup is minimal.

Honey Shrimp And Green Beans, Why You'Ll Love This Recipe — Honey Shrimp And Green Beans Is A Quick 20-Minute Dinner 12

That makes it even more appealing for a weeknight. The original recipe suggests serving with garlic buttery rice or noodles for a completely delicious meal. The sauce is not too sweet and not too salty.

It strikes a nice balance that appeals to both kids and adults. If you enjoy honey garlic flavors, you might also enjoy this Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry.

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1. WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
2. INGREDIENT NOTES
3. TOP TIPS
4. STORAGE
5. Ingredients
6. Instructions
7. Recipe details
8. FAQs
9. Honey Shrimp and Green Beans

INGREDIENT NOTES

Here is what you need to know about each ingredient to get the best results.

Shrimp: Use peeled and deveined raw shrimp. If you use frozen shrimp, thaw it completely and pat it dry with a paper towel. Dry shrimp will sear better and won’t water down the sauce. You can leave the tails on or remove them, depending on your preference. If you skip patting the shrimp dry, they will steam instead of sear, and the sauce will become watery.

Green beans: Fresh green beans are best. Avoid frozen ones because they can become mushy. Look for bright, firm beans. If you don’t have green beans, broccoli works as a substitute, or you can omit them entirely. If using broccoli, cut it into small florets so it cooks quickly.
Soy sauce: This is the base of the sauce. It provides the savory, salty foundation. Use regular soy sauce, or low sodium if you prefer. If you use low sodium soy sauce, you may want to add a pinch of salt at the end.
Honey: Honey brings the sweetness. If you don’t have honey, you can substitute sugar. The sauce will still be delicious.

Garlic: Fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor. Mince it finely so it distributes evenly. If you only have garlic powder, you can use it, but fresh is superior.
Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce so it clings to the shrimp and green beans. It is essential for that glossy texture.
Sesame oil: Optional, but it adds a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor. A little goes a long way. If you have it, use it.

Red pepper flakes: Optional. They add a bit of heat. Adjust the amount to your spice preference. You can also use sriracha or another hot sauce.
Oil: You will need oil for cooking the green beans and shrimp. About 2 tablespoons of a neutral oil like vegetable or canola works well. You can also use avocado oil.

Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. This ensures the cornstarch dissolves completely so the sauce thickens evenly.

TOP TIPS

Follow these tips for a perfect skillet dinner every time.

Cook the shrimp and green beans separately. Shrimp cook in seconds, while green beans need 5 to 6 minutes. If you cook them together, the shrimp will overcook and become rubbery. This is the most important tip for this recipe.
Adjust the sauce to your taste. Add more honey for sweetness, or more soy sauce or salt for saltiness. You can also add a splash of rice vinegar for a little tang. Taste the sauce before adding it to the shrimp. Adjust the honey or soy sauce as needed.

Control the heat. Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat. For extra spice, use a generous amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha. You can also add a minced chili pepper.
Garnish for crunch. Scallions or sesame seeds add a nice finishing touch and a bit of crunch. They also make the dish look more appetizing.
Swap the protein. This recipe also works with chicken breasts or scallops. If using chicken, cut it into bite sized pieces and cook until no longer pink inside. Scallops cook quickly, similar to shrimp.

Have everything ready. Because the shrimp cook so fast, measure and prep your sauce before you start cooking. This is called mise en place, and it makes the process smooth.
Serve with rice or noodles. The sauce is delicious soaked into rice. For a tasty side, try these Garlic Parmesan Green Beans.
Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook the shrimp in a single layer so they sear instead of steam. If your skillet is small, cook them in batches.

Use a large skillet. A large skillet gives the green beans and shrimp room to cook evenly without steaming.
Add more vegetables. Bell peppers and mushrooms are great additions. Slice them and cook them with the green beans so they have time to soften.

STORAGE

Leftovers can be stored safely if you follow these steps.

Cool leftovers completely before storing. This prevents condensation and helps maintain texture.
Transfer to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Reheating gently helps prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery. For best quality, enjoy within 2 days. If you want to reheat on the stovetop, add a splash of water or soy sauce to keep the sauce from drying out.

You can also enjoy leftovers cold over a salad, but the texture is best when reheated. For food safety, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.

Honey Shrimp And Green Beans, Storage — Honey Shrimp And Green Beans Is A Quick 20-Minute Dinner 14

Ingredients

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
10 ounces green beans
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
Oil, for cooking (about 2 tablespoons)

This recipe makes 2 servings.

Instructions

Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the green beans and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, tossing frequently. The green beans should be tender crisp. If they start to brown too much, lower the heat slightly. If the green beans are not tender crisp after 6 minutes, cook them for another minute or two, but do not let them become mushy.
While the green beans cook, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Whisk until smooth. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved so the sauce thickens evenly. Whisk well to combine. The sauce should be smooth with no lumps.

Remove the green beans from the skillet and set aside. Add more oil to the skillet if needed. Add the shrimp and cook for 20 seconds on each side. They will turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook them, or they will become tough. Shrimp cook very quickly. 20 seconds per side is usually enough. They should be pink and opaque. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the shrimp so they sear quickly.
Stir in the sauce and add the green beans back to the skillet. Mix well and simmer for a minute or two. Check for seasoning before serving. Enjoy! Simmer just until everything is heated through and the sauce coats the shrimp and green beans.

Note: Shrimp cook very quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. They are done when they are pink and firm. This recipe is best served immediately. The shrimp can become tough if reheated for too long.

Recipe details

Detail	Info
Prep time	5 minutes
Cook time	12 minutes
Total time	17 minutes
Servings	2

This recipe is for 2 servings, but you can easily double it for a family.

Nutrition per serving (source):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	196
Carbohydrates	31g
Protein	6g
Fat	7g
Saturated fat	1g
Fiber	4g
Sugar	22g
Sodium	1634mg

Nutrition information is provided by the original source and is an estimate.

Recipe adapted from Cooked by Julie.

FAQs

How do you make honey shrimp and green beans?

To make honey shrimp and green beans, first cook 10 ounces of green beans in a large skillet with oil over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Remove the green beans, add more oil if needed, and cook 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp for 20 seconds per side. Return the green beans, stir in the sauce, and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

Should you cook shrimp or green beans first?

You should cook the green beans first because they take 5 to 6 minutes to become tender, while shrimp cook very quickly-only about 20 seconds per side. Cooking the green beans first ensures both ingredients are perfectly done. Remove the green beans from the skillet, then cook the shrimp separately before combining everything with the sauce.

What should you serve with honey shrimp and green beans?

Honey shrimp and green beans is commonly served over steamed jasmine rice or garlic buttery rice, which soaks up the savory-sweet sauce. It also pairs well with noodles for a complete meal. The dish works as a standalone skillet dinner for two, and you can add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to make it even heartier.

How do you keep shrimp from getting rubbery?

To keep shrimp tender, cook them only until they turn pink and curl slightly, which takes about 20 seconds per side in a hot skillet. Avoid overcooking by removing them from the heat as soon as they are opaque. Pating the shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking also helps them sear rather than steam, resulting in a better texture.