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20 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli

Plump, juicy shrimp and tender-crisp broccoli coated in a sticky, glossy honey garlic sauce — a fast and satisfying weeknight dinner ready in just 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1.5 lb large shrimp 21/25 count, peeled, deveined, patted completely dry
  • 4 cup broccoli florets cut into even-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil avocado or vegetable oil, divided
Honey Garlic Sauce
  • 6 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 0.33 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes or more to taste
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water mixed with cornstarch into a slurry
To Serve
  • 2 cup steamed white or brown rice
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions thinly sliced

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or wok
  • 1 Small bowl for sauce

Method
 

Prep
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes. In a separate tiny bowl, mix cornstarch and water into a smooth slurry. Set both aside.
  2. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels — this is the most important step for a good sear. Season lightly with salt and pepper (the sauce is salty, so be conservative).
Cook
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add broccoli in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop char. Toss and cook 2-3 more minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Remove to a plate.
  2. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the same hot pan. Add shrimp in a single layer — do not crowd. Cook undisturbed for 1.5-2 minutes until pink and slightly golden on the bottom. Flip and cook 1 more minute. A 'C' shape means cooked; an 'O' shape means overcooked. Remove to the plate with broccoli.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30-45 seconds until golden and fragrant. Do not let it burn.
  4. Pour the honey sauce mixture into the pan. It will bubble vigorously. Cook and stir for 1 minute.
  5. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir for 30-60 seconds until the sauce becomes thick, glossy, and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Return shrimp and broccoli to the pan. Toss to coat evenly. Cook 30 seconds just to warm through. Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

The keys to success: dry shrimp, very hot pan, don't overcrowd, and don't overcook the shrimp. Once they curl into a C shape and are pink all the way through, they're done. Overcooking makes them rubbery.