Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli

There are two (really cool) things about this recipe:

One, it includes shrimp. Because, shrimp. Shrimp is life. I don’t know about you, but I could seriously live off of shrimp.

And for two, this is a complete one-pan meal made in a classic cast iron skillet.

You simply can’t get more “perfect weeknight dinner” than that!

How long is honey garlic shrimp for?

Once prepared and cooled, honey garlic shrimp can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

Can you freeze honey garlic shrimp?

Yes, you totally can! You can freeze this dish either before or after cooking.

To freeze before cooking:

Prepare the marinade as instructed by the recipe, then place it in a sealable container or freezer bag.
Meaure out the the shrimp and broccoli and place them in their own freezer bags, separate from the marinade. This means that you’ll have three containers to freeze: the marinade, the shrimp, and the broccoli. This is because freezing the shrimp in the marinade would make it mushy, and the broccoli and shrimp are introduced at different times during cooking.
Store the three containers in the freezer for up to three months.

To freeze after cooking:

Once prepared and cooked, place the honey garlic shrimp and broccoli in a sealable container or freezer bag.
Store in the freezer for up to one to two months.

Drizzling honey garlic sauce on shrimp with broccoli.

Can you use frozen shrimp?

Since the shrimp are the showcase of this recipe, I usually purchase fresh raw from the deli as opposed to using frozen. I found I enjoyed this dish much more when I’ve shelled out the extra few bucks for the freshest seafood I can find.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use frozen raw shrimp. You certainly can. Just be sure to thaw, rinse, and pat them dry before cooking.

Can you use precooked shrimp?

This recipe requires marinating the shrimp to lock in the flavor, so unfortunately, I can’t recommend using precooked shrimp. The shrimp used for this recipe should be raw.

Can you use frozen broccoli?

A few readers have asked whether you need to use fresh or frozen broccoli for this dish.

Personally, I tend to use frozen broccoli with this dish. I love the convenience of always having broccoli on hand and buy it already frozen. I do thaw it out first by running lukewarm water over it and patting it dry, but then it’s ready to go for most recipes (like this one).

So to answer this question, feel free to use either fresh or frozen broccoli – just make sure the broccoli is room temperature and dry before cooking, then you’re good to go.

Notes & tips for this honey garlic shrimp recipe

If you don’t already own a trusty piece of cast iron, I highly recommend picking one up. A good piece of cast iron will last you ages. I still use (and love!) this reasonably priced 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Many will tell you that cast iron is hard to take care of, but I think the biggest challenge is just knowing how to do it. This post about the truth about cast iron has some great tips and tutorials!
Don’t want to (or don’t have) a cast iron skillet? That’s okay! Just make this recipe with the cookware you have. Cast iron is a great cooking tool but it’s not required for this recipe.
Cooking shrimp can be very tricky. To a trained eye, you can see that even the shrimp in these photos are a tad overcooked (the unfortunate result of trying to work a video camera while I cook.) If you’re looking for some helpful pointers on cooking crustaceans, be sure to check out this guide on How to Cook Shrimp and Mistakes to Avoid.

How to make honey garlic shrimp

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – In a large bowl, mix together garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, then whisk them well to combine.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 1 - Add garlic.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 1 - Add ginger.

Step 2 – Place shrimp in a large , then pour about 1/3 of the honey garlic sauce inside. Seal the bag and gently toss the shrimp to coat with the sauce.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 2 - Set up a plastic bag.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 2 - Add shrimp.

Step 3 – Place the shrimp in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour. While shrimp marinates, cover and save the remaining honey garlic sauce (you’ll be using it later).

Step 4 – Heat up a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, then add about two tablespoons of the honey garlic sauce. When sauce starts to sizzle, add broccoli to skillet and cook until warm and tender, about 5-8 minutes. Once cooked, transfer broccoli to a plate.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 4 - Add honey garlic sauce to pan.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 4 - Heat sauce until bubbling.

Step 5 – Add more honey garlic sauce to the skillet, then add in shrimp. Do about 5-10 shrimp at a time, cooking for one minute on each side (or until the shrimp bodies are curled and browned). Use a pair of tongs to gently rub the shrimp into the caramelized sauce in the bottom of the pan, then transfer cooked shrimp to a plate. Repeat this step until all of the shrimp have been cooked.

Step 6 – Return the broccoli and shrimp to the skillet and toss them together. Cook for a few minutes until all ingredients are an even, hot temperature.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 6 - Add shrimp and broccoli back to skillet.

Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Step 6 - Toss and cook until heated through.

Step 7 – Serve honey garlic shrimp and broccoli immediately with more honey garlic sauce drizzled on top!

Recipe Details