Honey garlic shrimp and broccoli are quick to make, delicious, and healthy. Tender shrimp are combined with crispy broccoli, all in a flavorful honey garlic sauce.
Shrimp and Broccoli
Honey garlic shrimp and broccoli is a classic recipe that is both delicious and easy to make! Perfect for anyone who is looking for a healthy and filling meal that can be prepared quickly.
- HEALTHY – This is a great healthy option as both broccoli and shrimp are low in calories and high in nutrients.
- EASY TO MAKE – Using just a few simple ingredients you can whip up this easy recipe fast. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- FLAVOR – Honey garlic sauce adds the perfect sweet and tangy flavor that will satisfy anyone’s tastebuds.
- EASY MEAL PREP – Consider making a double batch of this recipe. Store it in the fridge or freezer for a quick and healthy meal prep.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a restaurant-quality meal in a fraction of the time. This versatile recipe can easily be customized by adding different vegetables or spices.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s an overview of the ingredients you’ll need. The full recipe details are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post:
- SHRIMP – Better quality shrimp will taste best in this meal. Choose raw shrimp that’s been peeled and deveined. The tails can be on or off.
- BROCCOLI – Fresh broccoli is best for this recipe, but frozen broccoli florets will also work.
- HONEY – Honey adds the perfect sweetness.
- SOY SAUCE – You can use regular soy sauce or a low-sodium version. Tamari sauce will also work.
- GARLIC – Three minced garlic cloves are added to the sauce.
- BUTTER – Salted butter is used to cook the shrimp and broccoli. Cooking oil can be used instead.
- CORNSTARCH – A little bit of cornstarch helps to thicken up the sauce. You can also use arrowroot powder.
- GINGER – Freshly grated ginger or dried ginger will work.
- RED PEPPER FLAKES – Adds a bit of heat. Add less or skip it if you don’t like spicy things.
How To Make Shrimp and Broccoli
Here is an overview of how to make the recipe. More detailed instructions with step-by-step photos are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
DEFROST SHRIMP – The shrimp needs to be defrosted in order to absorb the marinade properly. Shrimp can be defrosted overnight in the fridge.
Or add it to a strainer and run it under cold water until it has thawed. Don’t use warm or hot water as it can cook the shrimp. Pat it dry with paper towels.
MARINATE SHRIMP – Mix together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes. Add ¼ cup of this sauce to a bowl with the raw shrimp. Stir together and let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate.
SAUTEE SHRIMP – Heat a large frying pan with butter. Add the raw shrimp and cook 1 minute on each side until all shrimp turn pink and opaque. Transfer to a dish as soon as it turns pink so they don’t overcook.
COOK BROCCOLI – Add more butter to the frying pan along with broccoli florets. Cook broccoli until it is soft when poked with a fork, but still slightly crispy.
This will take 6-10 minutes. The smaller the broccoli florets the faster they will cook!
MIX TOGETHER – Add cornstarch to the rest of the sauce. Pour the sauce over top of the broccoli and slowly stir until the sauce thickens up. Remove the pan from the heat and add back the shrimp.
Add any toppings including sesame seeds, red pepper flakes and chopped green onion. Serve as-is or with rice or pasta. The extra sauce tastes delicious drizzled on rice!
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can easily be stored in the fridge for future lunches or dinners:
REFRIGERATE: Once the shrimp and broccoli recipe has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3-4 days.
TO REHEAT: This recipe can be reheated in the microwave until warmed through. Or reheat on the stove. Just be aware that reheating can cause the shrimp to cook longer and may change the texture a bit.
DOUBLE THE RECIPE: This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd or to have leftovers for later in the week.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve the shrimp and broccoli over rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice or with noodles.
Recipe Tips
- The quality of the ingredients you use will make a big difference here. Choosing good quality raw shrimp. I prefer the raw shrimp that’s shelled with tails removed. Fresh broccoli tastes better than frozen broccoli too.
- Shrimp cook very quickly. They will turn pink and opaque in about 2-3 minutes. As soon as they’re pink, remove them from the frying pan. Overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery.
- Use a non-stick pan: A non-stick pan will prevent the shrimp from sticking and make it easier to clean up.
- Only marinate shrimp for 30 minutes. Unlike marinating fish, shrimp will soak up flavors fast and doesn’t need a longer processing time.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce: Soy sauce can be high in sodium, so use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake.
- If you like a little heat, add more red pepper flakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, substitute the broccoli with similar veggies including cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, bell peppers, sliced carrots or snow peas.
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for the recipe. But it needs to be thawed before marinating and cooking.
The broccoli takes 8-10 minutes (the smaller the pieces, the faster it will cook) and the shrimp takes 2 minutes.
Yes, you can cook the shrimp and broccoli separately and then combine them with the sauce right before you plan to serve.
Honey garlic shrimp and broccoli recipe is an easy, healthy and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
With healthy shrimp and crispy broccoli, all in a sweet honey garlic sauce, it’s delicious without fuss. Give it a try and it will become a new family favorite!
More Dinner Recipes
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
- One Pot Taco Pasta
- Sloppy Joes
- One Pot Spaghetti
- Hamburger Casserole
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Shrimp and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp salted butter, divided - or cooking oil
- 1 lb raw shrimp - peeled and deveined
- 1 lb broccoli florets - chopped small
Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 ½ tsp ginger powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Defrost the shrimp before making the recipe. A quick way to do this is by soaking the shrimp in cold water. Do not use hot as it will cook the shrimp. Once the shrimp is defrosted, pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Add ¼ cup of the sauce mixture to a bowl with the raw shrimp. Toss together and cover the container. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate the shrimp.
- A 1 Tbsp of butter (or cooking oil) to a frying pan over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, add in the shrimp and cook 1 minute on one side, then flip and cook another minute.
- Once shrimp is pink and no longer grey, transfer it to a plate immediately. Drain the excess liquid from the pan.
- Add the other 1 Tbsp of butter to the pan. Add in the broccoli and cook until tender crisp (can be poked with a fork but is still a little crispy). This may take 8-10 minutes. You can add ¼ cup of water if needed during this time to help cook the broccoli.
- While broccoli is cooking, mix in the cornstarch with the rest of the sauce.
- Once broccoli has cooked to tender crisp, pour in the sauce. Slowly stir 1-2 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add in the cooked shrimp and toss everything together.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes, sesame seeds and chopped green onion if desired. Serve this recipe on it's own or with rice.
Nutrition
