Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli

Imagine the sizzle of succulent shrimp hitting a hot buttery skillet, releasing that irresistible aroma of garlic and sweet honey. That’s the sensory experience awaiting you with this incredible Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli dish. This restaurant-quality meal combines tender jumbo shrimp and crisp broccoli florets coated in a sticky, sweet-savory sauce that caramelizes beautifully in the pan. Perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for guests, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. You’ll learn how to perfectly cook shrimp, create a balanced honey garlic sauce, and bring it all together in one delicious meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli recipe is about to become your new favorite for so many reasons. First, the contrast between the tender, juicy shrimp and the slight crunch of the perfectly cooked broccoli creates a textural symphony that makes every bite interesting. The sauce strikes that perfect balance between sweet honey, savory garlic, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes that tingles the taste buds without overwhelming them.

What really sets this honey garlic shrimp recipe apart is how the sauce caramelizes slightly in the pan, creating complex flavors that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. Yet the entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without the fuss.

The versatility is another winning feature – serve it over rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Plus, the ingredients are likely already in your pantry, making this garlic butter shrimp dish not only delicious but convenient as well. From the first aroma to the last bite, this recipe delivers restaurant quality results right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients List for the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli

Before we dive into cooking this delectable dish, let’s gather our ingredients. This perfect combination of sweet, savory, and aromatic elements creates the foundation for our mouthwatering sauce, while the fresh shrimp and crisp broccoli provide protein and nutrients in this balanced meal.

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/4 ground)
• 2 tablespoons garlic (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 pound large shrimp (peeled, deveined and tails removed if desired)
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups broccoli (cut into bite sized pieces)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Pro Tips

Achieving restaurant-quality Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli at home comes down to mastering a few critical techniques:

First, don’t overcook your shrimp! This is the most common mistake that turns juicy shrimp into rubbery disappointments. Shrimp cook extremely quickly – they’ll turn from gray to pink in just 2-3 minutes per side. Once they curl into a loose “C” shape, they’re perfectly done. If they tighten into an “O” shape, they’ve overcooked.

For the most flavorful sauce, take the time to properly bloom your aromatics. This means cooking the garlic and ginger in the butter until fragrant but not brown (about 30 seconds). This process releases their essential oils and creates a foundation of flavor that permeates the entire dish.

Finally, achieve the perfect sauce consistency by remembering that it will thicken as it cools. Remove the sauce from heat when it’s slightly thinner than you want the final result to be. The cornstarch will continue working its magic off-heat, resulting in that perfect glossy, clingy sauce that coats each piece of shrimp and broccoli beautifully.

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl add the honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, red pepper, and mix until combined.

Step 2: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp into a bowl and add 1/3 of the sauce.

Step 3: Whisk in the cornstarch to the reserved marinade and set aside.

Step 4: Heat a skillet (I use cast iron) or wok on high heat, add olive oil and broccoli, salt and pepper and cook 5-6 minutes just until soft. Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 5: Add the butter to the skillet and add shrimp discarding any marinade. Cook until the shrimp turns pink about 2 minutes on each side.

Step 6: Add in the reserved sauce and bring to a low-medium simmer until thickened about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Add in the broccoli and toss until heated through.

Step 8: Serve over rice or pasta.

Variations

The versatility of this Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli recipe allows for endless creative adaptations to suit your preferences or dietary needs:

For a spicier kick, double the red pepper flakes or add a tablespoon of sriracha to the sauce. The heat balances beautifully with the sweetness of the honey, creating a more complex flavor profile that spice-lovers will appreciate.

Make it keto-friendly by substituting the honey with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener or allulose, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. This simple switch significantly reduces the carb count while maintaining the dish’s satisfying flavors.

For a protein variation, substitute chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces for the shrimp. The chicken will need about 5-6 minutes per side to cook through, but the sauce works equally well with poultry, making this a versatile option for those who don’t eat seafood or want to change things up.

Storage and Serving

This Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water and use low heat to prevent the shrimp from becoming tough. For best results, reheat on the stovetop rather than the microwave.

For serving, this versatile dish shines in multiple presentations. The classic approach is over a bed of fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly. For a lower-carb alternative, try it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

For an impressive dinner party presentation, serve the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli in individual bowls over rice, garnished with thinly sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and a lime wedge for a burst of freshness. Add a side of steamed edamame or a simple cucumber salad to complete the meal with authentic Asian-inspired flair.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp works great! Thaw completely before cooking by placing in a colander under cold running water for 5-7 minutes. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure proper searing and prevent the sauce from becoming watery.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, but it’s easily adaptable. Simply substitute the regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version that tastes just as delicious.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The honey garlic sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes weeknight cooking even faster.

How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?
Perfectly cooked shrimp turn from translucent gray to opaque pink and form a loose “C” shape. If they curl into a tight “O” shape, they’ve overcooked. They typically need just 2 minutes per side.

What can I substitute for broccoli if I don’t have any?
You can substitute snow peas, asparagus, green beans, or bell peppers for broccoli. Adjust cooking times as needed – most vegetables will need 3-5 minutes to become tender-crisp.

This delicious Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli combines sweet, savory, and spicy notes in perfect harmony, creating a meal that feels indulgent but comes together quickly enough for weeknight cooking. With crisp-tender broccoli and perfectly cooked succulent shrimp bathed in a glossy sauce, this recipe is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

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