Ingredients
– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 3 cups broccoli florets
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/2 cup chicken broth, low sodium or no sodium added
– 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
– 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1-First step: Make the sauce Start by whisking the soy sauce, chicken broth, oyster sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir well until the cornstarch disappears and the sauce looks smooth. This step matters because the cornstarch needs to be fully mixed in before it hits the pan, or it can clump and create uneven thickening later. Set the sauce near the stove so you can grab it quickly when the time comes.
2-Second step: Cook the broccoli first Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the broccoli florets in a single layer. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring now and then, until they turn bright green and become tender-crisp. This keeps the broccoli from going soft and soggy, which is a common issue in many stir fry recipes. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
3-Third step: Sear the shrimp Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Place the shrimp in the hot pan in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and curl into a loose C shape. That shape tells you they are done without being overcooked. If your pan is crowded, the shrimp may steam instead of sear, so cook in batches if needed.
4-Fourth step: Add garlic and ginger Turn the heat down to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir constantly so they do not brown. Fresh garlic and ginger should smell fragrant, not bitter. This short step builds a strong flavor base for the sauce and gives the dish that classic asian shrimp broccoli stir fry taste.
5-Fifth step: Thicken the sauce Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir right away. Let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it starts to thicken. You should see it turn glossy and slightly clingy. Because the cornstarch is already mixed in, the sauce should thicken smoothly and coat the shrimp and broccoli without needing extra ingredients. If it seems too thick, add a small splash of broth or water.
6-Final step: Bring everything together Return the cooked shrimp and broccoli to the skillet. Toss gently so every piece gets coated in sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes until everything is heated through. Taste and add a small pinch of pepper if needed, then serve hot over rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles. You can also enjoy it on its own if you want a lighter meal. For another easy seafood dinner, you may also enjoy shrimp and corn as a simple weeknight option.
Notes
🦐 Choose large peeled deveined shrimp; cook to loose C-shape for perfection.
🥦 Cook broccoli separately first to retain crisp texture.
⚡ Prep all ingredients mise en place before heating wok for seamless stir-fry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Pescatarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 cup
- Calories: 216 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1371mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 143mg
