Honey garlic shrimp and broccoli stir-fry is a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner that delivers big flavor in under 30 minutes. This Asian-inspired dish marries sweet honey, pungent garlic, and savory soy for a sticky glaze that coats tender shrimp and bright green broccoli. It’s like restaurant takeout at home – but healthier. Shrimp are naturally high in protein and low in calories (about 12 g protein and 60 calories per 3 oz) webmd.com, and broccoli brings fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants healthline.com. Together they create a nutritious, well-balanced meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Below are 10 easy steps to make a delicious honey garlic shrimp stir-fry from scratch.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Shrimp – 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails optional)
- Broccoli – 2 cups broccoli florets (cut into bite-size pieces)
- Honey – ½ cup (for the glaze)
- Soy Sauce – ¼ cup (use low-sodium or tamari for gluten-free)
- Garlic & Ginger – 3 cloves garlic (minced) and 1 teaspoon ginger (grated) for flavor
- Cornstarch – 2 teaspoons (to thicken the sauce)
- Oil – 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable or olive) for stir-frying
- Butter (optional) – 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for extra richness)
- Seasonings – Salt and pepper to taste; red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat (optional)
- Garnish (optional) – Chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or chopped nuts for topping
(You’ll also need a bowl to mix the sauce, a large skillet or wok, and a spatula.)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry
1.Prep the Ingredients for Your Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry.
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Trim and cut the broccoli into florets. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. (This ensures fast, even cooking.) Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
2.Make the honey-garlic sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth. This is the sweet-savory marinade that makes the dish shine.
3.Marinate the shrimp.
Put the raw shrimp in a bowl or zip-top bag and pour in about one-third of the honey-garlic sauce (reserve the rest for later). Toss the shrimp to coat evenly, then let them marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to 1–2 hours if you have time). This infuses the shrimp with flavor.
4.Prepare the sauce slurry.
To thicken the remaining sauce, whisk the cornstarch into the leftover sauce until fully dissolved. Set this slurry aside; it will turn the glaze into a glossy coating in the pan.
5.Cook the broccoli.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and just tender (slightly crisp). Transfer the broccoli to a plate and set aside (it will continue cooking later).
6.Sear the shrimp.
Add a bit more oil (or butter) to the hot skillet. Add the shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Sear each side for approximately 1 minute, or until the shrimp turn pink and start to caramelize (iwashyoudry.com). (Avoid overcrowding the pan so they cook evenly.) The shrimp cook very quickly – as soon as they curl into “C” shapes and lose their raw color, they’re done.
7.Add the sauce.
Pour the reserved honey-garlic slurry into the skillet with the shrimp. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer.The sauce will quickly bubble and coat the shrimp.
8.Combine shrimp and broccoli.
Return the cooked broccoli (and any accumulated juices) to the pan. Toss everything together so the shrimp and broccoli are evenly coated in the sticky glaze. Let it all cook together for 1–2 minutes so the sauce thickens and clings to the ingredients. (If you want an even thicker sauce, you can add a bit more cornstarch slurry at this point.)
9.Garnish and finish.
Remove the skillet from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a dash of soy sauce if needed. Sprinkle chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts on top for extra flavor and texture.
10.Serve immediately.
Spoon the honey garlic shrimp and broccoli stir-fry over steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy it hot for best flavor and texture.
Pro Tip: For the best results, always start with a piping hot pan when stir-frying iwashyoudry.com. A hot skillet sears the shrimp quickly (locking in juices) and gives the broccoli a nice char. Also, don’t skip the marinade – letting the shrimp sit in the honey-garlic mix for a few minutes really boosts the taste.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- With Rice or Noodles: This shrimp and broccoli stir-fry is fantastic served over fluffy white rice or nutty brown rice. For a low-carb twist, use cauliflower rice. You can also toss it with cooked lo mein or rice noodles for a noodle bowl.
- As a One-Pan Meal: Keep it simple by serving the stir-fry straight from the wok. A sprinkling of sliced green onions or a squeeze of lime over the top adds freshness.
- Sides: A quick cucumber salad or steamed greens (like bok choy or snap peas) makes this meal even more well-rounded. Pairing it with an Asian-inspired soup (miso soup, egg drop, or hot and sour) can mimic a restaurant meal at home.
Variations and Tips
- Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a squirt of Sriracha when stirring in the sauce for a spicy honey garlic shrimp. You could also include some sliced fresh chilies or a dash of chili oil.
- Veggie Swap: Not a broccoli fan? No problem. You can substitute snow peas, snap peas, green beans, asparagus, or bell peppers instead. Just adjust the cooking time: for example, bell peppers may only need 2–3 minutes.
- Protein Swap: You can easily swap the shrimp for chicken, tofu, or beef strips. Just cook your protein first (shrimp cooks in ~2 minutes, so ensure chicken is fully cooked through).
- Sauce Variations: For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. To make it entirely pantry-friendly, substitute maple syrup or agave for honey. You can also add a tablespoon of rice vinegar or orange juice for extra tang.
- Make It a One-Pan Meal: Toss in extra vegetables like sliced carrots, mushrooms, or baby corn. You could even add cooked pineapple chunks or baby corn for sweetness and texture.
If you loved this honey garlic shrimp stir-fry, you’ll definitely want to try our One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon Meal — it’s another healthy, flavorful dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. For more quick shrimp dinners, check out our Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Rice or browse our full collection of easy Dinner Recipes for inspiration. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, TaylorRecipe has simple and delicious options to keep your weeknight meals exciting.
Conclusion
This honey garlic shrimp and broccoli stir-fry checks all the boxes: it’s easy to make, loaded with protein and veggies, and bursting with sweet-savory-umami flavor. In just 10 easy steps, you’ll have a restaurant-quality stir-fry ready to serve. Plus, it’s highly customizable (see the variations above) so you can adapt it to your family’s tastes.
Give this recipe a try tonight and enjoy a delicious, healthy meal from scratch. For more family-friendly seafood dinners, check out our Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Rice recipe or browse the “Dinner” section of our blog for easy weeknight ideas.
A great partner recipe is our 10-Minute Sesame Ginger Shrimp Stir-Fry (use that anchor for an internal link to a similar shrimp stir-fry).
To learn more about why shrimp and broccoli are so nutritious, see WebMD’s guide on shrimp nutrition webmd.com and Healthline’s article on the health benefits of broccoli healthline.com. These resources explain the wholesome, protein-rich nature of shrimp and the vitamin-packed punch broccoli brings to any meal.
Enjoy your homemade honey garlic shrimp and broccoli stir-fry!
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