Your taste buds are in for a delightful treat with this flavorful and easy-to-make dish — Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli. This recipe is a magnificent medley of succulent shrimp, tender broccoli, and a luscious honey garlic sauce that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can whip up this delicious meal in just about 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of honey, garlic, and soy sauce creates a sweet and savory glaze that’s irresistibly good.
- Healthy and Satisfying: Loaded with protein-rich shrimp and vitamin-packed broccoli, it’s a nutritious meal that doesn’t skimp on taste.
- Family-Friendly: This recipe is a hit with all ages and can be adjusted for picky eaters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli are simple pantry staples that come together to deliver bold flavors and vibrant colors. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Honey: Adds a natural sweetness that compliments the savory ingredients perfectly.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides depth and umami to the dish without overpowering it with saltiness.
- Fresh Grated Ginger: Adds a refreshing zing and slight warmth to the base flavor.
- Minced Garlic: Elevates the taste with its aromatic punch.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a subtle heat that balances the sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to coat the shrimp and broccoli beautifully.
- Shrimp: Opt for large shrimp for a juicy bite, and don’t forget to remove the tails if you prefer.
- Butter: Enhances the dish with a luscious, creamy texture.
- Broccoli: Offers a nice crunch and vibrant color while soaking up all the incredible flavors.
- Olive Oil: A healthier cooking oil that complements the buttery elements of the recipe.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste, ensuring every bite is perfectly seasoned.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with this recipe and make it your own! Here are some variations to suit different tastes and dietary needs:
- Spicy Kick: For those who love heat, add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap the shrimp for tofu and add more veggies like bell peppers or snap peas.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free meal.
How to Make Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until well combined. This base will become the heart of your sauce, bringing sweet and savory notes that complement the shrimp and broccoli beautifully.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Place your clean, deveined shrimp into a bowl and pour about 1/3 of the prepared sauce over them. Allow this to marinate while you prepare the broccoli, giving the shrimp time to soak up all those delicious flavors.
Step 3: Cook the Broccoli
Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5-6 minutes until slightly tender yet still vibrant green. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Sauté the Shrimp
In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt. Add the marinated shrimp (discarding any excess marinade) and cook for approximately 2 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque. Stir in the reserved sauce mixed with cornstarch, and let it simmer until it thickens.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Add the broccoli back into the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss everything together until the broccoli is heated through. Serve over a bed of fluffy rice or your favorite pasta, and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli
- Marination Magic: Letting the shrimp marinate longer—up to 30 minutes—will enhance the flavor remarkably.
- Shrimp Selection: Using jumbo shrimp not only makes for a more impressive presentation but provides a juicier bite.
- Perfect Broccoli: Don’t overcook the broccoli; it should remain bright green and slightly crispy for the best texture.
- Sauce Thickening: Stir the sauce continuously as it simmers to achieve the perfect glossy finish.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli
Garnishes
Enhance the presentation and taste by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that added crunch.
Side Dishes
This vibrant dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or a hearty helping of quinoa. For a low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving this dish family-style on a large platter with shrimp and broccoli artfully arranged, or individually plating each serving for a more formal meal setting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure it’s completely cool before sealing.
Freezing
For freezing, place cooled shrimp and broccoli in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick. Alternatively, use the microwave on low power to avoid toughening the shrimp.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture in the dish.
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What kind of broccoli works best?
Fresh broccoli is ideal for maintaining texture, but you can use frozen as long as it’s thoroughly thawed and dried to avoid a watery dish.
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Is the dish spicy?
The dish has a mild spiciness due to the red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount to suit your heat preference.
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Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or a vegan butter product.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal, Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli is a must-try. Its perfect balance of flavors and textures is sure to win hearts and become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Print
Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Description
This Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that combines sweet honey, savory garlic, and tender shrimp with crisp broccoli. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it comes together in under 30 minutes and offers a delightful balance of tastes and textures, served over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Marinade and Sauce
- 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
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed if desired
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
Additional
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl and add about one-third of the prepared sauce. Toss to coat and let marinate for 30 minutes for more flavor.
- Prepare the Slurry: Whisk the cornstarch into the remaining marinade to create a slurry; set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat a skillet or wok over high heat, add olive oil, and stir-fry the chopped broccoli with salt and pepper for 5-6 minutes until tender and slightly crisp. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: In the same skillet, add butter and the marinated shrimp (discarding excess marinade). Cook for about 2 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the reserved sauce with cornstarch slurry into the skillet with shrimp, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add the Broccoli: Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet, toss to combine and heat through for about 2 minutes.
- Serve: Plate the shrimp and broccoli over rice or pasta, spooning the thickened sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Marinate the shrimp for 30 minutes for a deeper, more developed flavor.
- Use jumbo 16/20 size shrimp for best texture and presentation; smaller sizes will cook faster.
- Tails on or off is optional—keeping tails adds flavor and visual appeal.
- Frozen broccoli can be used; just thaw and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 638 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
