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So you’re camping and want something that tastes like it came from a nice restaurant, but you also only have a campfire and about ten minutes of patience?
This Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe is your answer.
This campfire Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe takes juicy shrimp, coats them in a sweet-savory glaze made from honey, garlic, and soy sauce, and cooks them over fire until they’re perfectly caramelized and absolutely addictive.
We’re talking high protein shrimp that’s ready faster than you can set up a tent, tastes way fancier than camping food has any right to taste, and somehow manages to be a healthy shrimp meal despite being coated in a sticky, delicious sauce.
This is one of those protein shrimp recipes that works as a main dish, over rice, with vegetables, or honestly just eaten straight from the skillet while standing around the campfire pretending you have self-control.
The best part? Shrimp cooks in literally minutes, the sauce comes together in one pan, and cleanup is minimal. No complicated techniques, no specialty equipment, just fire, a skillet, and about to become your new favorite easy camping dinner that happens to be packed with protein and surprisingly low in calories.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
Let me tell you why this campfire Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe is about to become your go-to when you want to impress people (or yourself) while camping.
First and most importantly, it’s stupid fast. Shrimp cooks in 2-3 minutes per side, which means from raw shrimp to finished dish you’re looking at maybe 10 minutes total.
That’s faster than waiting for a freeze-dried camping meal to rehydrate, and infinitely more delicious. When you’re hungry after a long day outdoors, speed matters, and this delivers without sacrificing flavor.
Second, this is a legitimately healthy shrimp meal that doesn’t taste like diet food. Shrimp is naturally high in protein (about 20 grams per 3-ounce serving) and low in calories, which makes it perfect if you’re trying to eat well while camping.
The honey garlic sauce adds flavor without drowning everything in heavy cream or butter. It’s basically a low calorie shrimp recipe that tastes indulgent, which is the holy grail of outdoor cooking. You can eat a huge portion and feel satisfied without that heavy, overstuffed feeling.
Third, the ingredient list is short and simple. You need shrimp, honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a few basic seasonings. That’s it. No complicated sauce ratios, no exotic ingredients you’ll use once and never again, no spending $50 at the grocery store for one recipe.
This is practical camping food that uses ingredients you probably already have or can easily pack. Plus, shrimp travels well in a cooler with ice packs, so you don’t have to worry about it like you would with delicate fish.
Fourth, this works as a complete shrimp protein meal on its own or pairs beautifully with literally anything. Serve it over rice for a filling dinner. Add it to a shrimp and veggies recipe by tossing in bell peppers and snap peas.
Make it part of shrimp and chicken recipes by cooking both proteins with the same glaze. Put it in tacos, over salad, with noodles, or just eat it with crusty bread. The versatility is unmatched, which is perfect for camping when you’re working with whatever you packed.
Fifth, it looks and tastes way more impressive than the effort required. When you serve up a skillet of glossy, caramelized shrimp with a sticky honey garlic glaze, people assume you’re some kind of campfire cooking wizard.
But we both know you just threw some stuff in a pan and stirred it for eight minutes. That’s the kind of cooking efficiency we’re all striving for.
Plus, if you’re following weight watchers recipes dinner plans or just watching your intake, shrimp is a smart choice—low points, high satisfaction, and when you control the sauce ingredients, it stays healthy without tasting like punishment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s your shopping list for honey garlic shrimp glory:
The Shrimp:
- 1.5 pounds large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on or off is your call)
- Pro tip: Buy them already peeled and deveined to save yourself the hassle at camp
The Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey (the squeeze bottle kind travels well and doesn’t leak)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium if you’re watching salt intake)
- 5-6 cloves garlic (minced, or 2 tablespoons jarred garlic because we’re camping)
- 2 tablespoons butter (adds richness and helps the sauce emulsify)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh or bottled, brightens everything up)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground if you’re fancy)
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (for cooking the shrimp)
- Pinch of salt (shrimp needs seasoning)
Optional Add-Ins for Shrimp and Veggies Recipes:
- 1 bell pepper (any color, sliced into strips)
- 1 cup snap peas or snow peas (adds crunch and makes it more filling)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (blanched quickly before adding)
- Sliced mushrooms (cook them with the shrimp)
For Serving:
- Cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
- Quinoa (for extra protein)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for squeezing over the top)
- Sesame seeds (optional, makes it look restaurant-fancy)
- Green onions (sliced, adds freshness)
Equipment:
- Large cast iron skillet or pan (12-inch works great)
- Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring)
- Small bowl (for mixing the sauce)
- Tongs (for flipping shrimp)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Get your campfire ready for quick, high-heat cooking. You need medium-high heat with good, steady flames or hot coals. Shrimp cooks fast and benefits from high heat that creates caramelization. Set up your grate over the fire, or if using a camp stove, preheat to medium-high.
This Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe works best when you have consistent, manageable heat that won’t burn the honey before the shrimp cooks through.
2. Prep your shrimp while the fire gets ready. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels—this is important because wet shrimp won’t brown properly, they’ll just steam.
Season them lightly with salt and pepper. If your shrimp are frozen, make sure they’re fully thawed and drained well. Dry shrimp = better sear = better flavor. This simple step elevates your protein shrimp recipes from good to great.
3. Make your honey garlic sauce ahead of time. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
Mix it well so the honey is fully incorporated and not clumping. Having this ready before you start cooking makes everything move faster and smoother. You can even prep this at home and bring it in a sealed container to save time at camp.
4. Heat your skillet over the campfire. Place your cast iron skillet on the grate and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes until it’s hot. You want it hot enough that the shrimp sizzles immediately when they hit the pan.
Add the olive oil or butter and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil shimmers or the butter foams, you’re ready to cook.
5. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Working in batches if necessary (don’t overcrowd the pan or they’ll steam instead of sear), add your seasoned shrimp to the hot skillet. Lay them flat in a single layer, not touching each other. Let them cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes.
You want them to develop a nice golden sear on one side before flipping. Resist the urge to move them around—patience equals better flavor.
6. Flip and cook the other side. Use tongs to flip each shrimp. They should release easily from the pan if they’re properly seared. If they’re sticking, give them another 30 seconds. Cook the second side for another 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque throughout.
Don’t overcook them or they’ll become rubbery and sad. Shrimp goes from perfectly cooked to overcooked very quickly, so watch them closely.
7. Add your honey garlic sauce to the pan. Once the shrimp are cooked through (they should be pink, curled, and opaque), pour the honey garlic sauce over them. Add the butter to the pan at this point. Stir everything together, coating the shrimp in the sauce.
The sauce will start bubbling and thickening almost immediately from the heat of the pan. Keep stirring for about 1-2 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and becomes glossy and sticky.
8. Watch the sauce carefully. Honey can burn quickly over high heat, so once you add the sauce, you need to be attentive.
If your fire is too hot and the sauce is darkening too fast or starting to smell burnt, immediately move the skillet to a cooler spot or remove it from heat entirely.
Stir constantly during this phase to prevent burning and ensure the shrimp gets evenly coated.
9. Optional: add vegetables for healthy shrimp meals. If you’re making this into one of those shrimp and veggies recipes, add your sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or other vegetables to the pan about halfway through cooking the shrimp. They need a few minutes to cook but shouldn’t be mushy.
The vegetables soak up the honey garlic sauce and add bulk, making this an even more complete shrimp dinner recipes healthy option.
10. Taste and adjust the sauce. Once the sauce has thickened and the shrimp are nicely glazed, taste a small piece (carefully, it’s hot).
Does it need more honey? More soy sauce for saltiness?
A squeeze of lemon for brightness? Adjust to your preference. This is your shrimp protein meal, make it taste exactly how you want it.
11. Remove from heat at the right moment. When the shrimp are cooked through and coated in a glossy, thick sauce, remove the skillet from heat. The residual heat will continue cooking for another minute or so, so it’s better to pull it slightly before you think it’s done.
Overcooked shrimp is one of life’s great disappointments, so err on the side of slight undercooking—they’ll finish in the residual heat.
12. Serve immediately over your base of choice. Shrimp is best served hot and fresh. Spoon it over cooked rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or noodles.
Or just eat it straight with crusty bread to soak up that sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh lemon wedges. The fresh elements brighten up the rich, sweet sauce and make it feel more complete.
13. Alternative foil packet method. If you want individual portions, you can make this in foil packets. Place shrimp in the center of a large piece of heavy-duty foil, pour the honey garlic sauce over them, add a pat of butter, and seal the packet. Cook on the grate over hot coals for 5-7 minutes, flipping once.
This works great for shrimp and chicken recipes where you’re cooking multiple proteins with the same sauce in different packets.
14. Make it a complete meal with sides. This high protein shrimp pairs beautifully with simple sides. Steamed vegetables, a green salad, roasted asparagus, or grilled zucchini all work great.
Since the shrimp is so flavorful, you don’t need heavily seasoned sides. Keep them simple and let the shrimp be the star. For a low calorie shrimp recipes approach, skip the rice and serve over zucchini noodles or a big salad.
15. Leftover magic (if you somehow have any). These shrimp reheat decently but are honestly best eaten fresh. If you do have leftovers, they’re amazing cold over a salad the next day, in tacos, or scrambled with eggs for breakfast.
The sauce might thicken in the cooler overnight, but it’ll loosen up again when reheated. Just add a splash of water or lemon juice and warm gently.
Pro tips for perfect campfire shrimp: Don’t buy pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe—you need raw shrimp so they can cook in the sauce and absorb the flavors.
Larger shrimp (16-20 count per pound) work better than tiny ones because they’re easier to cook without overdoing them.
If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer for an extra minute to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of water to loosen it.
Pat your shrimp VERY dry before cooking—moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Bring extra garlic because garlic lovers will want more.
This Honey Garlic Shrimp recipe doubles easily for larger groups. For weight watchers recipes dinner, use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener instead of honey to reduce points.
Make sure you’re using large shrimp, not medium or small—they cook too fast and it’s easy to overcook them.
And remember: the shrimp will continue cooking after you remove them from heat, so pull them right when they turn pink and opaque, not after.
The magic of this recipe is that it’s one of those protein shrimp recipes that works for literally any situation—camping trip, weeknight dinner at home, meal prep, trying to eat healthy, or just craving something sweet and savory that comes together fast.
It’s versatile, delicious, and makes you look like you know way more about cooking than you actually do.
That’s a win in my book.