Getting a healthy dinner on the table takes just about 20 minutes with this delightfully sweet and savory Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe. It’s one of those dishes you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation when you want quick, tasty, and nourishing food.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made this Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe more times than I can count, and honestly, it never gets old. The way the honey and garlic balance out the tender shrimp and crunchy broccoli is just magical. Plus, it’s forgiving and fast — perfect for those busy weeknights!
- Speedy Prep and Cook Time: From chopping to plating, you can have dinner ready in around 20 minutes.
- Flavor-Packed Sauce: The honey garlic sauce is sweet, savory, and just a little spicy, making every bite crave-worthy.
- Healthy and Balanced: With protein-rich shrimp and nutrient-filled broccoli, this dish feels indulgent but keeps you on track.
- Super Versatile: You can easily switch up sides or add extras to make it your own chef’s special.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe plays a starring role. Together, they bring a deliciously balanced taste that’s sweet, savory, and a touch spicy. I always recommend fresh ginger and garlic—they add that fresh zing you can’t beat. Here’s why these ingredients are key:
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create that glossy, sticky sauce you’ll love.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides umami depth without overwhelming saltiness.
- Fresh Grated Ginger: Gives the sauce a lively, warming kick that complements the garlic beautifully.
- Minced Garlic: Essential for that classic honey-garlic flavor punch.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds just enough heat to keep things interesting without overpowering.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it clings perfectly to shrimp and broccoli.
- Large Shrimp: The star protein—juicy, tender, and quick to cook.
- Butter: Enriches the sauce for a silky finish and adds mild richness.
- Chopped Broccoli: Brings crunch, color, and wholesome nutrients to the dish.
- Olive Oil: Lightly used to sauté broccoli without overpowering the other flavors.
- Salt & Pepper: Basic seasoning to enhance everything.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you want it mild or with extra heat, packed with veggies, or tailored to what’s in your fridge, this recipe flexes beautifully.
- Variation: I sometimes add sliced bell peppers or snap peas for extra crunch — it mixes things up and adds vibrant colors to the plate.
- Make It Keto: Skip the honey and add a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit to keep it low carb.
- Gluten-Free: Just use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free twist.
- Spice it Up: Swap red pepper flakes for fresh chopped chili if you want that extra punch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Magic Sauce
Start by mixing honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. This combo creates the luscious sauce that coats everything so perfectly. Trust me, getting this part right is key to the flavor.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp in about a third of the sauce and let them soak for 30 minutes if you have time. I’ve learned the shrimp soak up this marinade beautifully, making each bite juicy and flavorful. If you’re pressed for time, even 10 minutes helps.
Step 3: Cook the Broccoli Just Right
Heat olive oil in your favorite skillet or wok over high heat. Add the broccoli with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook it for about 5 to 6 minutes until it’s bright green and just tender but still crisp. Don’t skip this—overcooked broccoli won’t have that satisfying crunch.
Step 4: Sear the Shrimp in Butter
Next, melt butter in the skillet, then add your shrimp without the marinade (we’ll save that sauce for later). Cook shrimp for around 2 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. This step seals in the shrimp’s natural sweetness and keeps them tender.
Step 5: Thicken That Sauce
Add the remaining sauce mixture, whisked with cornstarch, back into the skillet. Let it simmer on low-medium until it thickens nicely—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step gives you that perfect sticky glaze that clings to every bite.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Return the broccoli to the pan and toss everything together, letting the sauce coat shrimp and veggies evenly. Heat it through, and you’re ready to serve this yummy Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe over rice, noodles, or your favorite grain.
Top Tip
After cooking this dish countless times, I’ve gathered a few essential tips that really take it from good to restaurant-quality at home. These little tricks helped me avoid soggy broccoli and rubbery shrimp—a common pitfall.
- Don’t Skip the Marinate Step: Even a short 10-minute marinade makes shrimp more flavorful and juicy.
- High Heat for Broccoli: Cooking broccoli on high heat keeps it crispy and bright green; avoid steaming or boiling for this dish.
- Use Cornstarch to Thicken Sauce: It prevents the sauce from being runny and helps it stick beautifully to shrimp and veggies.
- Watch Shrimp Closely: Shrimp cook fast — overcooking makes them rubbery, so pull them off as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling toasted sesame seeds or freshly chopped green onions on top—it adds a pop of texture and a fresh flavor contrast. A squeeze of lime juice always brightens the whole dish too.
Side Dishes
Serving this over fluffy jasmine rice is my go-to. Sometimes, I like to switch it up with garlic noodles or even cauliflower rice if I’m keeping it low carb. Either way, the sauce soaks into the sides perfectly for a satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, I’ve plated this recipe in shallow bowls over a bed of coconut rice, garnished with a handful of fresh cilantro leaves and thinly sliced red chili rings. It feels festive but takes no extra effort!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The broccoli softens a bit after refrigeration, so I recommend eating it sooner for the best texture.
Freezing
Freezing this recipe isn’t ideal because the broccoli can become mushy once thawed. If you want to freeze portions, consider keeping shrimp and sauce separate from broccoli, and add fresh veggies when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often to warm the shrimp and broccoli without drying them out. Adding a splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce if it thickens too much in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before marinating to avoid a watery sauce.
The recipe has a mild heat thanks to red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the spiciness to your liking by adding more flakes or swapping them for fresh chili peppers.
Yes, simply replace the low sodium soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque—about 2 minutes per side depending on their size. Removing them from heat promptly prevents rubbery texture. Marinating them also helps keep them juicy.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Recipe holds a special place in my dinner repertoire because it’s so reliable, flavorful, and fast. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do. It’s a simple recipe that proves you don’t need hours in the kitchen to impress yourself or your loved ones. Give it a try and notice how quickly it becomes a new favorite!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring tender shrimp and crisp broccoli tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner served over rice or pasta.
Ingredients
Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed if desired
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Mix well until fully combined.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl and add one-third of the sauce mixture. Toss to coat and let marinate briefly while preparing other ingredients.
- Thicken the Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch into the remaining two-thirds of the reserved sauce and set aside for later use.
- Cook Broccoli: Heat a skillet or wok over high heat, add olive oil, broccoli, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until just tender. Remove broccoli from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Add butter to the same skillet, then add the shrimp, discarding any excess marinade. Cook shrimp about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the thickened reserved sauce and reduce heat to low-medium. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens nicely.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked broccoli back into the skillet and toss everything together until heated through. Serve hot over rice or pasta.
Notes
- Marinate the shrimp for 30 minutes for a deeper, more intense flavor.
- Jumbo 16/20 shrimp size is preferred, but any size shrimp will work; smaller shrimp will cook faster.
- Leaving shrimp tails on adds flavor and visual appeal but you can remove them if preferred.
- You can use frozen broccoli; just thaw and pat dry before cooking for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 638 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
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