Description
Shrimp and Broccoli has always been one of those comforting, go-to meals in my kitchen. I first learned to make it during a particularly hectic week—one of those stretches where takeout seemed tempting every night, but I craved something home-cooked and nourishing. I had a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer, a head of broccoli in the fridge, and not much else. What came together in that moment was more than just a quick dinner—it became a staple.
Ingredients
Scale
- For Classic Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry:
- 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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- 4 cups of broccoli florets
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- 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil
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- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
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- 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger, minced (optional)
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- 1/4 cup of low-sodium soy sauce
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- 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce (optional)
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- 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar
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- 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water (for thickening)
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- Salt and pepper to taste
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- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
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- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
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For Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli:
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- 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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- 4 cups of broccoli florets
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- 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
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- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
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- 1/4 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
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- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
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- Salt and pepper to taste
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- Fresh parsley for garnish
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Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
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- If using frozen shrimp, thaw them in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
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- Wash the broccoli florets and cut them into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
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- Mince the garlic and ginger (if using).
Step 2: Cook the Broccoli
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- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
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- Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until they are bright green and slightly tender. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
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- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.
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- Add the minced garlic and ginger (if using) and sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
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- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
Step 4: Combine and Season
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- Return the cooked broccoli to the skillet with the shrimp.
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- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), honey or brown sugar, and cornstarch mixture. Pour the sauce over the shrimp and broccoli.
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- Stir everything together and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and everything is well-coated.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
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- Transfer the shrimp and broccoli to a serving dish.
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- Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and red pepper flakes (if using).
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- Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
- Category: Fried
- Method: Pan
- Cuisine: American