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This honey garlic butter shrimp with broccoli is one tasty mix of sweet and salty flavors. It comes together so fast you won't believe it could taste this awesome with almost zero work. Busy weeknight? This meal feels special but won't stress you out.
I first whipped this up after a rough day at work—didn’t expect my family to wipe the pan clean so fast! Now they ask for the magic shrimp meal because everyone’s grinning by the last bite.
Vibrant Ingredients
- Salt and pepper: add those at the end for full flavor pick coarse grains if you can for good control
- Olive oil: helps everything sizzle up pick extra virgin for a little bite
- Chopped broccoli: gives that bright crunch choose bunches with deep green tops
- Butter: melts into a rich layer for the sauce grab unsalted for more control
- Large shrimp: already peeled and cleaned are the way to go fresh ones smell sweet not strong
- Cornstarch: key for making the sauce stick to every bite look for pure white and powdery
- Red pepper flakes: sprinkle in for some heat use more or less depending on your taste
- Minced garlic: fresh is best for big flavor chop up a couple cloves
- Fresh grated ginger: makes it sparkly and warm use a piece that’s heavy in your hand and smooth
- Low sodium soy sauce: keeps things balanced with less salt try the naturally brewed kind for extra flavor
- Honey: gives sweet shine and that sticky coating look for light gold honey that smells floral
Step by Step Instructions
- Mix Everything Together:
- Once shrimp and broccoli are cooked bring everything back to the pan and toss gently until the sauce covers each piece and warms up
- Finish with the Sauce:
- Pour the rest of the honey garlic mix into your skillet let it bubble then simmer on medium until it gets nice and thick about two to three minutes
- Sauté the Shrimp:
- Melt butter in that skillet add shrimp (don’t crowd!), flip when pink and curly about two minutes per side dump leftover marinade if there’s any
- Cook Up the Broccoli:
- Heat a big skillet with olive oil add broccoli plus salt and pepper give it a good stir-fry for five or six minutes—pull it when bright and just tender
- Get Your Sauce Ready:
- Mix the leftover sauce with a spoonful of cornstarch this step gets everything shiny and thick later
- Let the Shrimp Soak:
- Put the shrimp in a bowl with about a third of your sauce mix toss until coated and let sit to soak in all those flavors
- Make the Sweet Garlic Mix:
- Stir honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a bowl until blended this is your flavor base
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Broccoli’s become my MVP here I love how it soaks up that glossy sauce. Shrimp night’s a favorite at my place, especially over soft rice where the kids can scoop it all up without missing a drop.
Smart Storage
Pop any leftovers into a tight container in the fridge and they’ll keep fine for three days. The shrimp stay juicy and broccoli won’t get soggy. Just toss it in a skillet on medium to warm it back up.
Simple Swaps
No fresh ginger? Go for half as much ground ginger. Not a broccoli fan? Snap peas or green beans work too. If you’re out of shrimp, cube up chicken breast and cook it a bit longer—that works great.
Serving Ideas
Ladle everything over jasmine rice brown rice or even noodles. Leftovers are killer in lettuce wraps for a crunchy lunch. Want to jazz it up? Squeeze a lime and hit it with sesame seeds right before you dive in.
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Background & Culture
This honey garlic combo takes cues from classic East Asian dishes but has been a big hit in North American kitchens for years. It’s all the flavor of takeout but made super easy at home using simple moves and what you already have.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use frozen shrimp for this dish?
Totally, just let your shrimp thaw all the way and pat them dry so they cook right and don't turn out soggy.
- → What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
Just stir a little cornstarch into your marinade, then pour that into the pan. Let it bubble for a bit until it thickens.
- → Is it possible to substitute another vegetable for broccoli?
Yep! Bell peppers, green beans, or even snow peas work great for crunch and color swaps.
- → Should I marinate the shrimp before cooking?
Yeah, letting the shrimp sit in the marinade for about 30 minutes makes a big flavor difference. Even a quick soak helps, though.
- → How can I serve this dish?
Try piling it over some steamed rice, tossing it with noodles, or even serving on quinoa to make it a full meal.
- → What size shrimp works best?
Big shrimp like jumbo ones end up the juiciest, but honestly, any size works fast and grabs the sauce flavors well.