Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe

Irresistible Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe

Crispy, succulent shrimp dance with vibrant broccoli in this mouthwatering honey garlic butter shrimp creation that promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Fragrant garlic and golden butter meld seamlessly with delicate seafood and emerald vegetables.

Sweet honey cascades over each perfectly cooked morsel, creating a symphony of flavors that will electrify your taste buds.

Juicy shrimp curl around tender broccoli florets, making every bite a delectable adventure.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings bring depth and complexity to this simple yet elegant dish.

Fresh ingredients combine to deliver a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare in your own kitchen.

Savor this quick, irresistible recipe that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into extraordinary culinary moments.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli That Hit Sweet and Savory Notes

  • Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious meal in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a quick and tasty dinner solution.
  • Flavor-Packed Nutritional Powerhouse: Combines protein-rich shrimp with nutrient-dense broccoli, creating a balanced and satisfying one-pan meal that delivers both taste and health benefits.
  • Minimal Cleanup Masterpiece: Uses a single skillet for the entire cooking process, reducing dishes and making post-dinner cleanup a breeze for home cooks looking to save time and effort.
  • Versatile Dining Delight: Easily adaptable to serve over rice, noodles, or as a standalone dish, making it a flexible recipe that can accommodate different dietary preferences and meal styles.

Honey Garlic Shrimp & Broccoli Ingredients

Protein:
  • Shrimp: Tender seafood that absorbs flavors beautifully, looks for fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp without discoloration.
  • Butter: Rich, creamy base that adds depth and helps with cooking, choose unsalted for better control of saltiness.
Vegetables:
  • Broccoli: Nutritious green vegetable with a crisp texture that complements the shrimp, select fresh, bright green florets.
  • Green Onions: Optional fresh garnish that adds a mild onion flavor and visual appeal.
Sauce and Seasoning Group:
  • Honey: Sweet component that balances the savory elements, use raw or pure honey for best flavor.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides intense flavor, fresh minced garlic is recommended over pre-minced.
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste, use sea salt or kosher salt for better flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps prevent sticking and adds subtle flavor, extra virgin recommended.
  • Cornstarch: Thickening agent that helps sauce reach desired consistency, ensure it's fresh and lump-free.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Cooking Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Magic Marinade

In a mixing bowl, sprinkle salt and pepper over the shrimp.

Pour in 1/3 of the sauce and gently toss to coat every single piece.

Let the shrimp soak up those amazing flavors for 10-30 minutes while you get everything else ready.

Step 2: Roast the Bright Green Broccoli

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in broccoli and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Sauté the broccoli, stirring occasionally, until it turns vibrant green and becomes tender-crisp, about 5-6 minutes.

Transfer the broccoli to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 3: Dance the Shrimp in Butter

Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

Carefully place the marinated shrimp into the buttery pan.

Cook each side for 2 minutes until they transform into a beautiful pink color and become perfectly opaque.

Gently remove the shrimp from the skillet.

Step 4: Craft the Silky Sauce

Stir cornstarch into the reserved sauce, creating a smooth mixture.

Pour this into the skillet and let it simmer over low heat.

Watch as the sauce gradually thickens and becomes glossy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Return the cooked shrimp and broccoli to the skillet.

Gently toss everything to ensure each piece gets generously coated with the luxurious sauce.

Heat for an additional 2 minutes to warm everything through.

Step 6: Create Your Culinary Masterpiece

Serve this delectable dish steaming hot over fluffy rice, tender noodles, or enjoy it on its own.

For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle some chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top.

Seafood Cooking Advice For Honey Garlic Shrimp

  • Let shrimp sit in the sauce for at least 10-30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption and tenderize the protein.
  • Use the same skillet for cooking broccoli and shrimp to maximize flavor layering and minimize dish cleanup.
  • Cook shrimp just until pink and opaque to prevent rubbery texture and maintain delicate tenderness.
  • Stir cornstarch into sauce before adding to skillet, ensuring smooth consistency without lumps.
  • Swap shrimp for tofu or chicken, use gluten-free cornstarch, and serve over cauliflower rice for adaptable meal options.

How to Store Shrimp & Broccoli Leftovers

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled shrimp and broccoli to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
  • Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying and maintain sauce consistency.
  • Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating and prevent rubbery shrimp texture.

Broccoli Shrimp Pairing Choices

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the sweet and garlicky shrimp, cutting through the richness with bright acidity.
  • Balance with Jasmine Rice: Serve the honey garlic butter shrimp over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a neutral, fragrant base for the dish.
  • Enhance with Roasted Garlic Bread: Add a side of crusty roasted garlic bread to mop up the extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the tender shrimp and broccoli.
  • Add Citrus Sparkle: Squeeze fresh lemon wedges over the dish to brighten the flavors and add a zesty punch that lifts the honey garlic butter sauce.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Options

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Option: Replace traditional rice with riced cauliflower for a keto-friendly alternative that reduces carbohydrate intake while maintaining the dish's delicious flavor profile.
  • Vegan Protein Swap: Substitute shrimp with firm tofu or tempeh, marinating the plant-based protein in the same honey garlic sauce for a completely vegetarian meal that retains the original recipe's taste.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
  • Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the honey garlic butter mixture for those who enjoy a kick of heat, transforming the classic recipe into a zesty, flavor-packed dish.

FAQs

  • Is honey garlic butter shrimp and broccoli a healthy dish?

This recipe offers a balanced meal with lean protein from shrimp and nutritious vegetables like broccoli. Shrimp provides omega-3 fatty acids and low calories, while broccoli delivers essential vitamins and fiber.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water before cooking. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better searing.

  • What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Medium to large-sized shrimp work perfectly. Choose fresh, deveined shrimp for convenience. Wild-caught or farm-raised shrimp both work well, depending on your preference and availability.

  • How do I prevent overcooking the shrimp?

Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque, which typically takes about 2 minutes per side. Overcooking makes shrimp tough and rubbery. Remove them from heat as soon as they change color to maintain tenderness.

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Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe

Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling honey garlic butter shrimp and broccoli brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to your dinner table with elegant simplicity. Quick restaurant-quality results emerge in under 20 minutes, satisfying hungry palates with delicious protein and crisp vegetables you can enjoy.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (454 grams) large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails optional)
  • 2 cups (473 milliliters) broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Seasoning and Flavoring:

  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup (170 grams) honey
  • 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

Garnish:

  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Marinate the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a portion of the prepared sauce, allowing the flavors to meld for 10-30 minutes in a mixing bowl.
  2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, then add broccoli florets. Season with salt and pepper, sautéing until crisp-tender and vibrant green, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer broccoli to a separate plate.
  3. Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt butter, creating a golden base for cooking shrimp. Introduce marinated shrimp, cooking each side until they transform into a pink, translucent color, roughly 2 minutes per side.
  4. Remove shrimp from the skillet, then incorporate cornstarch into the remaining sauce. Pour the mixture into the pan, allowing it to simmer and thicken over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Reintroduce broccoli and shrimp to the skillet, gently coating everything with the glossy sauce. Warm the ingredients together for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring complete integration of flavors.
  6. Present the dish over steamed rice, noodles, or as a standalone meal. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

  • Marinate smartly by letting shrimp sit in sauce to absorb maximum flavor depth before cooking.
  • Select medium-sized shrimp for consistent cooking and tender texture throughout the dish.
  • Prevent overcooking by watching shrimp closely; they turn opaque and pink quickly, which signals doneness.
  • Customize the recipe for dietary needs by using gluten-free cornstarch or replacing butter with olive oil for lighter version.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 36 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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