Pin
This easy-to-make honey garlic butter shrimp with broccoli mixes tasty and sweet with hearty and savory. It comes together so fast you'll wonder how it’s possible. This is my go-to for those nights I’m wiped but still want something awesome that feels special.
The first time I whipped this up after work, it vanished almost instantly. My family renamed it “magic shrimp night” because it always gets cheers at the table.
Tasty Ingredients
- Salt and pepper: bring everything together go for coarse or flake for better flavor control
- Olive oil: heats fast for the first sauté try extra virgin for that mild peppery finish
- Chopped broccoli: adds vibrancy and crispness pick bunches that are deep green and tight
- Butter: melts down to make a silky sauce base choose unsalted if you can
- Large shrimp: already peeled and cleaned is easiest shop for the freshest ones they should smell clean
- Cornstarch: gives you that thick, glossy sauce look for a bright white powder
- Red pepper flakes: toss in for a gentle heat use more or less based on your spice mood
- Minced garlic: gives full-on flavor grab fresh if possible
- Fresh grated ginger: brings a cozy, spicy touch pick a smooth firm chunk
- Low sodium soy sauce: makes it savory without going salty natural brew is best
- Honey: rounds everything out with sweet stickiness golden, mild honeys taste best here
Easy Step Guide
- Mix and Marinate:
- Toss the shrimp into a bowl and cover them with nearly a third of your sweet-savory sauce. Give it a swirl so each one gets coated, and let it hang out for a bit to soak up flavor.
- Sauce Gets Ready:
- In another bowl, mix honey, soy, ginger, garlic, and pepper flakes. Blend it well so you’ve got a killer base.
- Thickener Comes Together:
- Add cornstarch to the sauce that’s left. It gets used in the skillet later for that perfect glossy, clingy finish.
- Broccoli Takes the Stage:
- Heat up olive oil in a skillet on high. Toss in the broccoli and a little salt and pepper, stirring so it gets bright green with just a little softness, around five or six minutes. Pull it out and set aside.
- Shrimp Gets Sizzled:
- Add butter to the same pan then drop in shrimp. Spread them out so they can brown not steam. Once they're pink and curl up—about two minutes per side—take them out with the marinade left behind.
- Sauce Finishes Up:
- Pour the rest of your honey garlic sauce into the pan. Let it bubble on medium till it thickens and coats a spoon, usually two or three minutes.
- Bring It All Together:
- Put shrimp and broccoli back in the pan and toss so they get coated in that shiny sauce and heated through.
Pin
Broccoli always shines here for me I love how it grabs all that sticky garlicky glaze. My kids beg for shrimp nights, especially when I pile everything on soft, fluffy rice and they can scoop up every drop.
How To Keep It Fresh
Pop any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for three days tops. Reheat gently in a pan over medium until it’s just hot—the shrimp will stay soft and broccoli won’t get mushy.
Swaps and Changes
No fresh ginger? Use ground instead, but only half as much. Swap broccoli for snap peas or green beans if you want. If shrimp’s not on hand, use chicken breast—just dice it tiny and let it cook a little longer.
How To Serve It
Spoon everything over jasmine rice, brown rice, or even toss it with noodles. Any leftovers are perfect inside lettuce cups for a super satisfying lunch. For an upgrade, just squeeze some lime over everything and toss in a few sesame seeds right at the end.
Pin
Where The Flavors Come From
Honey garlic sauces are inspired by East Asian cooking and really took off in home kitchens across North America over the years. This take borrows those takeout flavors but keeps it simple with everyday store ingredients and easy steps anyone can pull off.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → Is frozen shrimp okay to use here?
Sure, just defrost and dry them off before cooking—this helps them brown and soak up the sauce better.
- → What's an easy way to make the sauce a little thicker?
Take some of the saved marinade and stir in cornstarch. When you pour it in, let it bubble gently until it looks rich.
- → Can I swap out broccoli for something else?
Definitely! Go for snap peas, green beans, or some bell peppers—they pop with color and keep that crunch.
- → Is a marinade a must for the shrimp?
If you want deeper flavor, let them soak for half an hour. But don’t stress if you’re short on time—a quick dunk works, too.
- → What should I serve with this meal?
Awesome over fluffy rice. Try it with your go-to noodles, or even some quinoa if that's what you've got.
- → Which shrimp size should I pick?
Big ones like jumbos turn out moist and satisfying, but honestly, any size gives you quick, tasty results.