If you are looking for a meal that can be prepared in just 20 minutes and makes for a great dinner, “Garlic Glazed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry” is an excellent, easy-to-make choice.
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Garlic Glazed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry: A 20-Minute Meal
This shrimp and broccoli stir-fry tastes just like a favorite takeout dish. It is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick yet delicious.
It features succulent shrimp, tender-crisp broccoli, ginger, garlic, and a glossy, flavorful sauce. Everything comes together in a single pan in just 18 to 20 minutes. The ingredients are easily available at local grocery stores, and the dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or noodles. You can easily customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the spice level to your liking.
Why You’ll Love Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry:
- A quick dinner
- A one-skillet recipe
- So much better than eating out
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for meal-prep
- Perfect for the family
All the ingredients you need:
Ingredients for the stir-fry:
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or avocado oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
- 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredients for the homemade stir-fry sauce:
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
How to Make Garlic Glazed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry: Complete Instructions:
1. Preparing the Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp thoroughly with a paper towel to dry them.
- Removing excess moisture is essential, as dry shrimp cooks much better in the pan rather than steaming.
- Now season with a little black pepper.
- Add a pinch of salt, but remember that soy sauce already contains a lot of salt, so adjust the salt accordingly.
2. Making the Stir-Fry Sauce
- Use a small bowl.
- Add the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes, if using, and whisk them together thoroughly.
- Make sure the cornstarch is thoroughly dissolved.
- The sauce should be kept separate while you cook the shrimp and vegetables.
3. Cooking the Broccoli
- Use a large pan or wok and heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the broccoli and stir-fry for about 4 minutes.
- If the broccoli remains too firm, add 2 tablespoons of water, then cover the pan for about 1 minute. The goal is to have bright green, crisp, tender broccoli, not soft or slimy broccoli.
- Remove the broccoli to a plate.
4. Sautéing the Shrimp
- Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for about 2 minutes on all sides, depending on their size. When the shrimp turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape, they are usually ready.
- Avoid overcooking.
- Shrimp can quickly become rubbery.
- Remove the cooked shrimp to a plate with the broccoli.
5. Aromatic Cooking
- Add the chopped onion to the pan, then cook for about 1 minute. Add the chopped garlic and grated ginger.
- Stir constantly for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic.
6. Mix everything together
- Return the shrimp and broccoli to the pan.
- Mix the sauce well once more, as the cornstarch tends to settle at the bottom of the bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the shrimp and vegetables.
- Now continue mixing everything over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
- The sauce should be glossy and slightly thick, coating every piece.
7. Garnish and Serve
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- For more spiciness, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little chili oil.
- Serve immediately over boiled rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.
Best Shrimp for This Recipe:
- Large or jumbo shrimp are especially good because they stay juicy during stir-frying.
- Fresh shrimp are best, but frozen shrimp also work well.
- If using frozen cream, thaw it completely and then dry it thoroughly before cooking.
- For easy preparation, choose shrimp that are already peeled and deveined.
Instructions for serving with shrimp and broccoli stir-fry:
- This goes great with shrimp and broccoli stir-fry.
- Jasmine rice
- Steamed white rice
- Fried rice
- Brown rice
- Steamed edamame
- Quinoa
- Asian-inspired cucumber salad
- Rice noodles
- Cauliflower rice
- Cauliflower rice is a great option for a low-carb dinner.
Some easy variation suggestions:
For a spicy shrimp stir-fry: Add extra crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce, or try Sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
For a shrimp vegetable stir-fry: Add chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and snap peas.
For Teriyaki Style Shrimp Stir-Fry: Replace some of the honey with extra brown sugar and add a little sesame oil for a sweeter teriyaki-inspired flavor.
For the Lemon Garlic Cream: add 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice and a little lemon zest before serving.
For a Sweet and Spicy Version: For a sweet, spicy glaze, combine the honey with red pepper flakes or Chinese sauce.
Storage Instructions:
- Be sure to cool the stir-fry before storing it in an airtight container.
- Leftover Garlic Glazed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For the best texture, reheat slowly in a pan over medium heat.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water while heating.
- Be careful to avoid reheating the shrimp repeatedly, as it can become tough.
FAQ
Answers to questions about Garlic Glazed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry.
Q. Can I freeze shrimp and broccoli stir-fry?
Absolutely! But broccoli softens after freezing and thawing. For best results, cool the prepared dish completely and store it in a freezer-safe container.
You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, then thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight and gently reheat it in a pan.
Q. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely! Thaw the frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
Pat it dry with a paper towel. Too much water will prevent it from browning properly.
Q. How to tell if shrimp is cooked?
The shrimp should be clear and pink. Its texture should remain firm. When cooked, it should bend into a C shape. Don’t overcook it until it forms a tight circle and shows signs of overcooking.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Glazed Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry proves that a delicious homemade dinner doesn’t have to take hours to make. This sweet-savory sauce combines tender shrimp with crisp broccoli, aromatic garlic, and ginger, creating restaurant-quality food with minimal effort.
For the best results, heat up your wok, don’t leave the shrimp in for too long, and cook everything quickly. Serve it with soft jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, and you have a truly satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family, and guests, are sure to enjoy.