Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
If you’re searching for a weeknight dinner that’s as impressive as it is easy, the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe will absolutely win your heart. Juicy shrimp and vibrant broccoli come together in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that’s loaded with garlicky goodness and a hint of buttery richness. This dish feels indulgent yet light, and it’s ready in just 20 minutes, making it a must-have in your dinner rotation. Whether you serve it over fluffy rice or toss it with noodles, every bite is a little celebration of flavor and color—perfect for busy evenings or when you want to treat yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient is carefully chosen to create a harmony of flavors. Let’s take a look at what you need and why it matters for this crave-worthy dish.
- Shrimp: Go for large, peeled, and deveined shrimp for the juiciest, most satisfying texture and quick cooking.
- Broccoli florets: Fresh broccoli adds crunch, color, and soaks up that irresistible sauce beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: The key to richness; it melds into the sauce, giving everything an indulgent, velvety finish.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings a bold, aromatic depth that’s essential for the honey garlic sauce.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create that gorgeous sticky glaze on the shrimp and veggies.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Balances the sweetness and gives a punch of umami without overwhelming saltiness.
- Olive oil: Used to sauté the broccoli, it keeps everything light and lets the other flavors shine.
- Salt and pepper: Season simply to let the other flavors pop; adjust to your taste.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle kick of heat, sprinkle these in if you like things a little spicy.
- Lemon juice (optional): A final squeeze brightens the whole dish and wakes up the flavors.
- Cooked rice or noodles (optional): The perfect base for soaking up every last drop of sauce.
How to Make Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Up the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. This is your flavor bomb—the honey brings sweetness, the garlic adds punch, and the soy sauce ties everything together with savory depth. Set it aside so it’s ready to transform your shrimp and broccoli later.
Step 2: Sauté the Broccoli
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the broccoli florets and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften but are still vibrantly green. This quick sauté keeps them crisp-tender, so they hold up beautifully in the finished dish.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Push the broccoli to one side of the skillet and add the butter to the empty space. Once it’s melted and bubbling, arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Cook the shrimp for just 1 to 2 minutes per side—they’ll turn pink and opaque in no time.
Step 4: Glaze Everything with the Sauce
Pour your honey garlic sauce over the shrimp and broccoli. Toss everything together so the sauce coats each piece and starts to bubble and thicken. Let it cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, just until the flavors meld and everything looks irresistibly glossy.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
If you love a pop of freshness, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. Pile the gorgeous shrimp and broccoli over hot rice or noodles and get ready to dig into your Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe masterpiece!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sesame seeds or a shower of chopped green onions adds a little crunch and a fresh, vibrant finish. If you love a citrusy zing, a few lemon wedges on the side make it even brighter. These simple touches turn your Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe into a restaurant-worthy plate.
Side Dishes
This dish shines over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, brown rice, or even a bowl of noodles. For a lighter meal, serve it alongside quinoa or cauliflower rice. If you want to round things out, a crisp cucumber salad or some quick-pickled veggies complement the sweet and savory notes perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe in lettuce cups for a fresh, hand-held twist, or pile it high in a big bowl for easy sharing at the table. For a dinner party, arrange the shrimp and broccoli over a platter of noodles, drizzled with extra sauce and garnished with herbs—it’s always a showstopper.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. The Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld, making leftovers surprisingly delicious!
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dish, cool it completely first. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze the shrimp and broccoli separately from any rice or noodles, as this helps preserve their texture when reheated.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the shrimp and broccoli in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, just use short intervals and stir in between to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. This helps them sear nicely and prevents excess moisture from diluting the sauce.
What can I substitute for broccoli?
Broccolini, snap peas, or even asparagus work beautifully in place of broccoli. Feel free to use whatever crisp green veggie you have on hand—the sauce pairs well with almost anything.
Is the Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap in a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the dish completely gluten-free without sacrificing any flavor.
Can I make this recipe with chicken or tofu?
Definitely! Bite-sized pieces of chicken breast or firm tofu can be substituted for shrimp. Just adjust the cooking time as needed—chicken will need to cook a little longer, while tofu just needs to be warmed through and nicely golden.
How do I avoid overcooking the shrimp?
Keep a close eye on the shrimp—they cook very quickly! As soon as they turn pink and opaque, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery, so a minute or two per side is perfect.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new favorite that’s easy, fast, and absolutely bursting with flavor, you owe it to yourself to try this Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen superstar, no matter how busy your day has been. Give it a whirl—you’ll be craving it again before the week is out!
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Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli recipe is a quick and delicious Asian-inspired dish featuring tender shrimp and crisp broccoli coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it combines the flavors of garlic, honey, and soy sauce with a buttery richness, served best over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Sauté the broccoli: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they become slightly tender but still crisp.
- Cook the shrimp: Push the broccoli to one side of the skillet and add the unsalted butter to the cleared space. Once the butter has melted, add the shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Combine with sauce: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the shrimp and broccoli. Toss everything gently to coat and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to glaze the ingredients and heat through.
- Finish and serve: If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Serve the honey garlic butter shrimp and broccoli hot over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make it a full meal by serving with cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles.
- You can substitute chicken or tofu in place of shrimp for a different protein option.
- For extra flavor and texture, garnish with toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions before serving.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
