There is something truly magical about the combination of succulent shrimp, vibrant broccoli, and a luscious sauce that brings it all together. The Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe is that perfect blend of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors that will quickly become a beloved favorite in your kitchen. This dish is incredibly simple to prepare yet delivers maximum taste, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or an impressive dish to share with friends. The buttery richness melds beautifully with the honey and garlic, while the fresh broccoli adds a wonderful crisp texture and color that brightens every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to cook the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe is a joy because it requires just a handful of fresh, pantry-friendly ingredients that pack a powerful punch. Each component plays its part, from the sweetness of honey to the zing of ginger, ensuring your dish bursts with flavor, texture, and color.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness that balances the savory and spicy notes perfectly.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Brings umami depth without overwhelming saltiness.
- Fresh grated ginger: Offers a bright, slightly spicy zing that enlivens the dish.
- Minced garlic: Essential for that intense garlic aroma and flavor.
- Red pepper flakes: Provide a gentle heat to keep things exciting.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy, clinging texture.
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined for convenience, they cook quickly and stay tender.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps tenderize the shrimp while creating a silky sauce.
- Broccoli: Chopped into bite-sized pieces for a fresh crunch and vibrant green color.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the broccoli without overpowering other flavors.
- Salt & pepper: To season and enhance all ingredients perfectly.
How to Make Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the sauce
Begin by whisking together the honey, soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a small bowl. This sauce is the heart and soul of the dish, offering a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy flavors that will coat the shrimp beautifully and bring everything to life.
Step 2: Marinate the shrimp
Place your peeled and deveined shrimp into a bowl and pour in about one-third of the sauce you just made. Give everything a good toss to coat each shrimp evenly. Letting the shrimp marinate for at least 30 minutes allows them to soak up that flavorful mixture, making every bite irresistible.
Step 3: Thicken the sauce
Take the remaining sauce and whisk in the cornstarch thoroughly. This step is key to achieving that glossy, slightly thickened sauce that clings to the shrimp and broccoli, elevating the dish from simple to spectacular.
Step 4: Cook the broccoli
Heat a skillet or wok over high heat and add the olive oil. Toss in the broccoli florets and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 to 6 minutes until the broccoli turns tender yet stays crisp and vibrantly green. Once cooked, remove it from the pan and set aside—this keeps your broccoli perfectly cooked but ready to mingle with the shrimp later.
Step 5: Cook the shrimp
In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the marinated shrimp, discarding the used marinade to avoid bitterness. Cook the shrimp for roughly 2 minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful pink and curl up slightly. This quick, high-heat cooking locks in moisture and keeps them tender.
Step 6: Combine and simmer
Pour in the reserved thickened sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens just enough to coat the shrimp and create a silky finish packed with flavor.
Step 7: Add broccoli and serve
Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet and toss everything together to combine and warm through. Serve this stunning Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe immediately over a bed of steamed rice or your favorite pasta, and get ready to savor every delightful bite!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a fresh garnish can take your dish to the next level. Try sprinkling chopped green onions or freshly chopped parsley for a bright, fresh contrast. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving adds a nice zing that beautifully cuts through the rich, buttery sauce.
Side Dishes
This dish is fantastic served over simple steamed jasmine or basmati rice that soaks up the sauce perfectly. If you prefer something heartier, buttered noodles or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option pair wonderfully with the shrimp and broccoli.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the shrimp and broccoli in lettuce cups with a drizzle of sauce for a fresh hand-held option. Alternatively, plating the dish atop a bed of warm quinoa or tossing it with cooked soba noodles adds an exciting texture and flavor contrast, making meal time more enjoyable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors develop nicely, but best enjoyed within this timeframe as shrimp can become rubbery with extended storage.
Freezing
Because shrimp and broccoli both have delicate textures, freezing this dish is generally not recommended. However, you can freeze the sauce separately in an airtight container for up to one month and prepare fresh shrimp and broccoli when ready to serve.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave using short intervals, stirring frequently. This helps maintain the tender texture of the shrimp and keeps the broccoli from becoming mushy. Adding a splash of water or broth can refresh the sauce.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp fully and pat them dry before marinating to avoid excess moisture that can affect cooking. Frozen shrimp can be a convenient and cost-effective option.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a gentle kick from the red pepper flakes, but it is not overly spicy. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference or omit them if you want a completely mild dish.
Can I substitute broccoli with other vegetables?
Yes! Vegetables like snap peas, green beans, or asparagus work wonderfully and provide similar crunch and color. Just adjust cooking times based on the vegetable used to ensure they stay crisp-tender.
What can I use instead of soy sauce?
If you need a soy-free option, coconut aminos make a great substitute with a slightly sweeter taste and less saltiness while still providing that essential umami flavor.
Can this recipe be doubled?
Definitely. Just be sure to use a large enough skillet or pan to avoid overcrowding, which helps the shrimp cook evenly and allows the sauce to thicken properly.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe is one of those rare dishes that hits all the right notes with minimal fuss. Whether you’re cooking a quick weeknight dinner or inviting friends over, it’s bound to impress with its incredible flavor and vibrant presentation. Give it a try and watch how it quickly becomes a staple in your recipe collection!
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Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
This Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender shrimp are marinated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, then cooked with butter and paired with crisp-tender broccoli for a well-balanced dish. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy and delicious way to enjoy seafood and veggies together.
Ingredients
Sauce and Marinade
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/4 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 honey, low sodium soy sauce, fresh grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined to create a flavorful base sauce.
- Marinate the shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a separate bowl. Add one-third of the prepared sauce to the shrimp and toss well to coat. Let the shrimp marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Thicken the sauce: Whisk the cornstarch into the remaining two-thirds of the sauce, then set it aside. This mixture will thicken when heated later.
- Cook the broccoli: Heat a skillet or wok over high heat and add the olive oil. Add the chopped broccoli and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the shrimp: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp (discard the marinade used for marinating) and cook shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side or until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Combine and simmer: Pour the reserved sauce mixture into the skillet with the shrimp. Bring to a low-medium simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened nicely.
- Add broccoli and serve: Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet and toss everything together to combine and heat through. Serve immediately, ideally over cooked rice or pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating the shrimp for longer than 30 minutes can intensify the flavor but avoid marinating over 2 hours as the acidity from the sauce can start to break down the shrimp texture.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Using low sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the final dish; adjust salt accordingly.
- Butter can be substituted with a dairy-free alternative to make the recipe lactose-free.
- Serve over rice, quinoa, or pasta depending on your preference for a complete, filling meal.
