Dinner

Honey Soy Herb Shrimp Marinade Recipe

ByRita Bennet February 12, 2026February 12, 2026

Introduction

This flavorful shrimp marinade infuses your seafood with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and herbal notes. It’s quick to prepare and ideal for grilling, broiling, or sautéing shrimp for a delicious meal.

A close-up image of cooked shrimp arranged inside a silver pan, each shrimp showing a bright orange color with slight charring and glistening with a shiny garlic herb sauce, small bits of minced garlic and finely chopped green herbs scattered over top. The shrimp are curled in a crescent shape with some overlapping each other, their tails slightly darker and crisped. The pan rests on a white marbled surface, and fresh green herbs peek in from the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on for presentation)
4 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh parsley leaves (chopped)

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Step 2: Set aside 1 tablespoon of this marinade for later use, then add the minced garlic and chili flakes to the bowl.
Step 3: Place the shrimp and the marinade into a resealable freezer bag. Seal the bag and shake gently to coat the shrimp evenly.
Step 4: Refrigerate the shrimp for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5: Cook the shrimp by your preferred method—broil, grill, or sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
Step 6: Drizzle the reserved marinade over the cooked shrimp before serving for an extra boost of flavor.

Tips & Variations

For a citrus twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the marinade just before serving.

Substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different sweetness profile.
If fresh herbs aren’t available, use 1 teaspoon each of dried parsley and thyme instead.
Adjust the chili flakes to your heat preference or omit entirely for a milder flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or enjoy cold in salads and wraps. Avoid reheating too long to keep the shrimp tender.

How to Serve

A clear glass bowl filled with raw shrimp coated in a mix of yellow garlic pieces, green herbs, and small red chili flakes; the shrimp have a pale grayish-blue color with shells partly intact and a moist glossy texture; the bowl sits on a white marbled surface, showing a close-up view that highlights the marinade spread evenly over the shrimp photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I marinate the shrimp overnight?

Yes, marinating shrimp overnight (up to 8 hours) is fine and will enhance the flavors, but avoid going much longer to prevent the shrimp from becoming mushy.

Is it necessary to reserve some marinade before cooking?

Yes, reserving a portion of the marinade before adding the shrimp allows you to drizzle it on cooked shrimp for added flavor. Never use marinade that has been in contact with raw shrimp without cooking it first to avoid contamination.