Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe

Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli is the ultimate weeknight dinner—sweet, garlicky shrimp paired with tender broccoli, all coated in a sticky, buttery sauce that’s a dream over a bed of rice. This mouthwatering skillet recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, yet it tastes lively and irresistible every single time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients for Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli. Each one brings something special—from crispness to umami-powered depth—to make this weeknight classic truly shine.

• Honey: This is the sweet, sticky backbone of the sauce—choose a mild-flavored honey for best balance.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds deep savory notes without overwhelming saltiness, so the honey and garlic can shine.
• Fresh Grated Ginger: Bright, zingy, and fragrant, it wakes up all the flavors in the stir-fry.
• Minced Garlic: The star aromatics! Lots of garlic brings bold flavor and that cozy, irresistible aroma.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Just a touch brings subtle heat that balances the sweet and savory sauce.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce quickly, so every shrimp and broccoli floret gets deliciously coated.
• Large Shrimp: Peeled, deveined, and tail-on or off—shrimp are quick-cooking and soak up all the buttery sauce.
• Butter: Rich, silky, and essential for that restaurant-style finish.
• Broccoli: Fresh and bright green, it stays slightly crisp and soaks up the glaze. You can use florets or chopped stems, too!
• Olive Oil: Adds a light fruitiness and helps the broccoli get a bit of color in the pan.
• Salt & Pepper: Season to taste and bring everything together with a little extra flavor.

Variations

The beauty of Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli is how easy it is to make it your own. Don’t be shy—swap ingredients, go bold with spices, or adjust to fit your cravings and dietary needs!

• Swap the Veggies: Try tossing in snap peas, sliced bell peppers, zucchini, or baby spinach for extra color and crunch.
• Spice It Up: Add a splash of sriracha or a sprinkle of chili oil if you like your sauce with more kick.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Simply use tamari in place of soy sauce and double-check that your cornstarch is gluten-free.
• Try Chicken or Tofu: Not a shrimp fan? Cubed chicken breast or firm tofu work beautifully with the same sticky, garlicky glaze!

How to Make Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli

Step 1: Whisk the Marinade and Sauce

Start by combining the honey, soy sauce, fresh ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Whisk them up until glossy and smooth—this is the magical sauce that brings honey, garlic, and butter together. Pour about one-third of the mixture over your peeled, deveined shrimp and set the rest aside. The bonus: the key flavors start soaking into your shrimp right away!

Step 2: Mix Up the Sauce Thickener

Take the reserved marinade and whisk in the cornstarch until perfectly dissolved—no lumps! This step will help your sauce cling luxuriously to every shrimp and broccoli floret later on.

Step 3: Sauté the Broccoli

Now, heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Swirl in the olive oil, toss in the chopped broccoli, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and sauté for five to six minutes. The broccoli should be vibrant and just fork-tender. Remove it from the pan so it stays crisp while you cook the shrimp.

Step 4: Sear the Shrimp

Melt the butter in the same hot skillet. Add your marinated shrimp (discarding the marinade for food safety) and let them sizzle for about two minutes per side—just enough so they turn pink and a little curled. Don’t overcook; shrimp go from perfect to rubbery in a blink!

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce & Toss Together

Pour the reserved sauce (with cornstarch) into the skillet with the shrimp. Bring it to a gentle simmer for two to three minutes, stirring, until you see the sauce bubble and thicken up, coating every piece. Add back the broccoli, toss well, and heat everything through—your gorgeous Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli is ready to serve!

How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli

Garnishes

This dish loves a flourish! Sprinkle with freshly sliced green onions for a pop of color, a scattering of sesame seeds for a little crunch, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice to balance the sweet, garlicky richness. Thinly sliced red chili peppers also add heat and visual excitement.

Side Dishes

Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli is stellar over hot, fluffy rice—white, jasmine, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter twist. You can also spoon it over lo mein, udon noodles, or even a quick stir-fried veggie mix. A side of steamed edamame or crunchy Asian-style salad rounds out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this recipe into restaurant-worthy rice bowls, stuff it into lettuce wraps for a fresh twist, or pile high on a platter for a fun, finger-food style dinner party. For meal prep, portion into containers over rice or noodles and enjoy gorgeous, vibrant lunches all week long!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli keeps well in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 2 days. Store the shrimp and broccoli separate from any rice or noodles if possible, so things stay saucy and satisfying.

Freezing

While you can freeze the cooked shrimp and broccoli, the texture changes a bit—shrimp can get a touch rubbery, and broccoli loses some snap. If freezing, spread everything on a baking sheet first, freeze until firm, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over low-medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce is very thick. Microwave works in a pinch for leftovers, but keep it brief to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Always heat just until warmed through for best texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a dinner that’s fast, flavorful, and a little bit special, you just can’t go wrong with Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli. Give it a try soon—you might just find it becomes your new go-to comfort meal, too!

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