EASY SHRIMP AND BROCCOLI STIR-FRY

Craving a dinner that’s both incredibly delicious and ready in minutes? Look no further! This Shrimp And Broccoli Stir-Fry delivers perfectly cooked shrimp, tender-crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce that will have you reaching for seconds, guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

For the Shrimp & Broccoli:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Stir-Fry Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Optional Garnishes:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

What Makes This Stir-Fry Special?

I think what elevates this Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry beyond your typical weeknight meal is the balance of flavors. The sweetness of the honey in the sauce plays beautifully with the savory soy sauce and the slight kick from the red pepper flakes (if you choose to add them!). And don’t even get me started on the texture! That tender-crisp broccoli is just divine. This isn’t just another stir-fry; it’s a flavor explosion!

Let’s Talk Shrimp: Picking the Perfect Prawns

Okay, friend, listen up! The quality of your shrimp really matters here. I always recommend buying wild-caught shrimp whenever possible – they tend to have a firmer texture and a sweeter flavor. But if that’s not available, no worries! Just look for shrimp that are plump, firm, and don’t smell fishy.

Size-wise, I prefer large shrimp for this recipe because they cook quickly and stay nice and juicy. But you can use medium or even jumbo shrimp if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

And here’s a little secret: pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before you start cooking. This helps them get a nice sear and prevents them from steaming in the pan.

Broccoli Basics: Achieving Tender-Crisp Perfection

Nobody wants mushy broccoli, am I right? The key to perfect broccoli in a stir-fry is to parboil it (or steam it!) for just a few minutes before adding it to the pan. This softens it slightly, so it cooks evenly with the shrimp.

To parboil your broccoli, simply bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2-3 minutes, until they’re bright green and slightly tender. Drain the broccoli immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This ensures that your broccoli will be perfectly tender-crisp and not overcooked.

Crafting the Perfect Stir-Fry Sauce: A Flavor Symphony

The sauce is where the magic happens, and it’s so easy to make! Just whisk together the soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger in a small bowl. The cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, so your sauce will be nice and glossy.

Don’t be afraid to adjust the sauce to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little more honey. If you like it tangier, add a splash more rice vinegar. And if you want a little heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Prep Your Ingredients

1. Prepare the Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp. Pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Prepare the Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into florets. Parboil or steam them for 2-3 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water.
3. Mince the Garlic: Finely mince the garlic cloves.
4. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger.

Cooking Time: Stir-Fry Magic

1. Heat the Oil: Heat the olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Broccoli: Add the parboiled broccoli to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until it’s heated through and slightly tender.
5. Add the Sauce: Pour the stir-fry sauce over the broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and is glossy.
6. Combine Everything: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Cook for another minute, until everything is heated through.

Serve and Enjoy!

1. Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
2. Serve Immediately: Serve the Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry over rice or noodles.

Tips for the BEST Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Overcooked shrimp are rubbery and tough. Cook them just until they’re pink and opaque.
• Use High Heat: Stir-fries are best cooked over high heat. This helps the ingredients cook quickly and evenly.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you’re cooking a large batch of stir-fry, cook it in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir-fry.
• Prep Everything in Advance: Stir-fries cook very quickly, so it’s important to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• Adjust the Sauce to Your Liking: Don’t be afraid to adjust the sauce to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more honey. If you like it tangier, add more rice vinegar.

Variations and Substitutions

Want to mix things up? Here are a few ideas:

• Add Other Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to your stir-fry, such as bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or mushrooms.
• Use Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of shrimp, you can substitute chicken, beef, or tofu. Check out this Chicken & Green Bean Stir-fry for inspiration!
• Make it Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for a spicier kick.
• Use Different Sweetener: You can use maple syrup, agave nectar, or even brown sugar instead of honey in the sauce.
• Add Nuts: Add some chopped peanuts or cashews for extra crunch and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry is delicious served over rice or noodles. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad. For a heartier meal, try pairing it with egg rolls or spring rolls. If you’re looking for another quick and easy stir-fry recipe, give this Sausage And Cabbage Stir Fry a try!

And for another broccoli-based meal, you can also check out Honey Garlic Beef & Broccoli or Chinese Beef And Broccoli. Or, for a chicken alternative, you may like Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry!

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Keep in mind that the broccoli may become a little softer when reheated.

So there you have it – my easy and delicious Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe! I hope you love it as much as I do. Remember, cooking should be fun and stress-free, so don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy cooking, my friend!

Easy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. It features tender shrimp, crisp-tender broccoli, and a savory sauce that’s sure to please. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Large Skillet or Wok
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Pot
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Paper towels

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• Sesame seeds optional garnish
• Chopped green onions optional garnish
• Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Instructions

 

• Peel and devein the shrimp. Pat them dry with paper towels.
• Cut the broccoli into florets. Parboil or steam them for 2-3 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water.
• Finely mince the garlic cloves.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger.
• Heat the olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
• Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
• Add the parboiled broccoli to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until it’s heated through and slightly tender.
• Pour the stir-fry sauce over the broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and is glossy.
• Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Cook for another minute, until everything is heated through.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
• Serve immediately over rice or noodles.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; cook until just pink and opaque. Use high heat for best results. Prep all ingredients in advance as stir-fries cook quickly. Adjust the sauce to your liking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave or heat in a skillet. Broccoli may soften upon reheating. For variations, add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots. Substitute chicken, beef, or tofu for shrimp. Add more red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicier kick. Use maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar instead of honey. Add chopped peanuts or cashews for extra crunch.