1-First Step: Mix the sauceStart by whisking together the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, Sriracha, cornstarch, grated garlic, grated ginger, and lime juice in a small bowl. Stir until the cornstarch disappears and the sauce looks smooth. Set it aside near the stove so it is ready when the shrimp and broccoli are done. If you like a milder sauce, you can cut the Sriracha a little. If you want more heat, add another small squeeze.

2-Second Step: Prep the shrimpPat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then season them with salt and pepper. Dry shrimp brown better, and that gives your shrimp stir fry better flavor right from the start. If your shrimp are still a little damp, they are more likely to steam in the pan instead of sear. That is one of the easiest ways to improve a stir fry recipe at home.

3-Third Step: Heat the pan and cook the broccoliHeat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the broccoli florets and some of the sliced scallions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the broccoli is lightly charred but still bright green. You want the broccoli crisp-tender, not soft. High heat helps the vegetable keep its color and gives this broccoli stir fry that fresh, cooked-quickly taste.

4-Fourth Step: Add the shrimpReduce the heat to medium-high, then add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the shrimp. Spread them out in a single layer if you can. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes total until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Shrimp cook quickly, so do not walk away from the stove. If you are using smaller shrimp, they may finish even faster. If your pan looks crowded, cook in two batches so the shrimp can sear instead of steaming.

5-Fifth Step: Add the saucePour the sauce mixture into the skillet and stir everything so the shrimp and broccoli are coated evenly. Keep cooking for about 2 minutes, just until the sauce thickens and clings to the ingredients. The cornstarch will help the sauce turn glossy and rich. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water. If it looks too thin, give it another minute over the heat.

6-Final Step: Finish and serveRemove the pan from the heat and top with the reserved scallions. Serve the stir fry over warm rice and spoon extra sauce over the top. This is a great time to use jasmine rice, brown rice, or even leftover rice from the fridge. The final bowl should have tender shrimp, crisp broccoli, and a shiny sauce that tastes savory, slightly sweet, a little spicy, and very fresh.