You know those nights? The ones where you get home WAY later than you thought, the fridge looks a little sad, and the thought of cooking feels like climbing Mount Everest? Yeah, I’ve been there. More times than I care to admit! That’s exactly why I fell head over heels for this Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli. It’s my go-to, my weeknight savior, the dish that magically turns a chaotic evening into a delicious, healthy meal in under 30 minutes. Seriously, it’s so fast and flavorful, and packed with good-for-you stuff, it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Sharing simple, tasty recipes like this is what I live for!
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
Trust me, this recipe is a total weeknight winner! Here’s why:
- Super Speedy: It’s ready in about 30 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for those hectic evenings!
- So Easy: Minimal chopping, simple steps, and it all comes together in one pan. Less cleanup? Yes, please!
- Incredible Flavor: That savory garlic sauce with tender shrimp and crisp broccoli is just *chef’s kiss*.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with protein and veggies, it’s a meal you can feel great about serving.
Gather Your Ingredients for Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
Alright, let’s get cooking! To whip up this amazing Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli, you’ll want to have these goodies ready to go. It doesn’t take much, but good ingredients make all the difference, right? You’ll need about a pound of large shrimp, and make sure they’re peeled and deveined so they’re ready to go right into the pan. Then grab one head of broccoli and cut it into nice, bite-sized florets. Don’t forget about four cloves of garlic – minced up fine is best for that punch of flavor! For the sauce, we’ll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and then for that lovely thickening magic, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup of water. And of course, a little salt and pepper to taste!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
Alright, let’s dive into making this gorgeous Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli! Honestly, it’s so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it a million times already. Grab your favorite skillet or wok, and let’s get this deliciousness going. This recipe is pretty forgiving, so don’t stress too much – just follow along and enjoy the process! If you love a good one-pan meal, this is totally up your alley, kind of like my chicken and broccoli skillet. It’s all about easy, flavorful dinners!
Prepare the Sauce for Your Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
First things first, we need to get our sauce ready. In a small little bowl, whisk together that tablespoon of soy sauce, the teaspoon of cornstarch, and the quarter cup of water. Just give it a good swirl until it’s all smooth and combined. This is our flavor magic right here, so set it aside for a moment – it’ll be ready when we need it!
Sautéing the Aromatics and Broccoli
Now, let’s get that skillet screaming hot over medium-high heat with our olive oil. Toss in those four cloves of minced garlic and stir them around super fast – like, just 30 seconds until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn it! Then, add in your broccoli florets. Give them a good stir-fry for about 3 to 5 minutes. You want them to be bright green and tender-crisp, not mushy! If things look a little dry, just splash in a tiny bit of extra water to help them steam. It’s similar to how I get my veggies just right in my garlic butter chicken and veggies!
Cooking the Shrimp to Perfection
Once the broccoli is looking just right, push it to the side of the skillet (or remove everything for a sec if your pan is crowded). Add your shrimp to the hot pan. They cook SO fast, seriously! Just about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they turn that pretty pink color and are all curled up. Don’t overcook them, or they’ll get tough. As soon as they’re done, scoop them right out of the pan and set them on a plate. We’ll bring them back in a minute!
Combining and Finishing Your Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
Okay, now for the grand finale! Bring those perfectly cooked [shrimp](https://www.meltitclean.com/orleans-shrimp-and-corn-bisque/) back into the skillet with the broccoli. Give that sauce you mixed up earlier another quick whisk, then pour it all over the shrimp and broccoli. Stir everything constantly. You’ll see the sauce thicken up beautifully in about 1 to 2 minutes, coating everything in this gorgeous, glossy glaze. This is the moment it all comes together! Taste it and add a little salt and pepper if you think it needs it. And that’s it!
Tips for the Best Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
You know, making this Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli is pretty darn easy, but a few little tricks can really take it from ‘good’ to ‘OMG, I need more’! First off, sourcing good quality shrimp makes a huge difference. Whatever you do, don’t overcook the shrimp – they cook in a flash! Just a few minutes per side is all they need to go from raw to perfectly pink and tender. Another thing? Broccoli florets should be tender-crisp, not mushy. Think bright green and with a slight bite. If you’re not rushing, you could even try steaming it just a tad before tossing it in. These little things really build up to a fantastic dish, kind of like how I focus on the little details in my chicken stir-fry to make it amazing!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When it comes to this Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli, flexibility is key! If you can’t find large shrimp, medium ones work too, just keep an eye on their cooking time – they’ll be even quicker. And broccoli is fantastic, but don’t hesitate to toss in some other veggies you might have on hand! Bell peppers, snap peas, or even some chopped carrots would be delicious additions. It’s all about making it work for you and what you have in your kitchen!
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
This Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli is fantastic on its own, but you can totally turn it into a complete meal! It’s absolutely divine served hot over a fluffy bed of jasmine rice – my garlic chicken fried rice is a great base for this. Or, for something a little different, try tossing it with some lo mein noodles, like in my shrimp stir with noodles recipe. Either way, it’s a winner!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any extra Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to reheat, a quick sauté in a warm skillet or even a short zap in the microwave does the trick. Just be gentle so those shrimp stay nice and tender!
Frequently Asked Questions about Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
Got questions about my favorite Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli? I’ve got answers! This recipe is pretty foolproof, but it’s always good to know the little details. Let’s clear up any confusion so you can make it perfectly every time. It’s one of those versatile dishes, kind of like my chicken, sausage, and broccoli orzo, where you can tweak it just a bit!
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Definitely! Just make sure to thaw your frozen shrimp completely before using them. Pat them dry really well afterwards to get that nice sear.
What other vegetables can I add to Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli?
Oh, so many options! Snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, or even some mushrooms would be fantastic additions. Just chop them up and stir-fry them with the broccoli!
How can I make this recipe spicier?
For a little kick, toss in about 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes right when you add the garlic. You could also drizzle a little sriracha or chili garlic sauce on top when serving!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just so you know, the nutritional info here is an estimate! It’ll vary a bit depending on the exact brands you use and how much you can’t help but sneak before serving. But roughly, you’re looking at around 250 calories per serving, with about 10g of fat, a solid 25g of protein, and 15g of carbs. Pretty good, right?
Share Your Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli Creation!
Alright, my friends, I’ve shared my secrets for this super speedy Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli, and now it’s your turn! I would LOVE to hear how yours turned out. Did you try adding anything fun? Tell me all about it in the comments below, or better yet, share a picture of your amazing creation! You can even tag me over on social media – I’m always hanging out on my ‘About Me’ page if you want to see more behind-the-scenes!
PrintGarlic Shrimp with Broccoli
A quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp and crisp broccoli in a savory garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Add a splash of water if needed to steam the broccoli.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture over the shrimp and broccoli. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: garlic shrimp, broccoli, stir-fry, quick dinner, easy recipe, seafood
