Life gets busy, and finding a dinner that's both delicious and quick can feel like a culinary quest. But what if we told you that in less than 35 minutes, you could have a vibrant, flavor-packed meal on the table with minimal cleanup? Enter the Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Skillet – your new weeknight hero!
This incredible one-pan wonder combines juicy shrimp, savory smoked sausage, and tender-crisp broccoli, all coated in an irresistible sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. It's a balanced meal that delivers on taste, convenience, and health, making it a perfect addition to your busy schedule.
Why This Skillet Meal Will Be Your New Favorite
Forget bland, time-consuming dinners. This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Skillet checks all the boxes:
- Lightning Fast: From prep to plate in under 35 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence.
- Effortless Cleanup: It's all made in one pan! Less washing means more relaxing.
- Explosion of Flavor: The honey garlic sauce is truly addictive, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of tang.
- Wholesome & Balanced: Packed with lean protein and vibrant vegetables for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite proteins or veggies, making it a flexible recipe for any pantry.
It’s a homemade dish that rivals any takeout, bringing fresh, vibrant flavors right to your kitchen without any fuss. If you're looking for other quick and delicious options, our Easy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad: Your 15-Minute Recipe Guide! is another fantastic choice for a speedy meal.
Key Ingredients for a Delicious Skillet
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet impactful ingredients:
- Shrimp: Use large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh is great, but thawed frozen shrimp work perfectly – just make sure to pat them very dry!
- Smoked Sausage: Kielbasa or andouille sausage adds a wonderful smoky, savory depth. Turkey sausage is a great lighter alternative.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli holds its tender-crisp texture best.
- Honey & Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: The dynamic duo forming the base of our incredible sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar & Minced Garlic: Essential for balancing the sweetness and adding aromatic flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but highly recommended for a subtle warmth and kick.
- Cornstarch Slurry: The secret to achieving that perfectly glossy, thick sauce that coats every ingredient beautifully.
Always ensure your shrimp are properly prepped for the best texture. For more insights on cooking seafood, you might find valuable information on how to cook shrimp properly from a reputable culinary website.
Tips for Skillet Perfection
Achieving a perfectly cooked Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Skillet is straightforward with these pointers:
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the sausage and shrimp in batches if your skillet isn't large enough. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of proper searing, preventing that delicious browning.
- Pat Shrimp Dry: This is crucial! Excess moisture will prevent the shrimp from searing and contribute to a watery sauce.
- Tender-Crisp Broccoli: Cook the broccoli until it's bright green and just tender, with a slight bite. You can add a splash of water and cover the skillet for a few minutes to help it steam quickly if you prefer it softer.
- Thickening the Sauce: The cornstarch slurry is key. Add it to the simmering sauce and stir continuously until it reaches your desired consistency – glossy and thick enough to coat the ingredients.
For another comforting and flavor-packed dish that's great for meal prep, consider our Slow Cooker Beef Curry: An Easy, Flavorful & Comforting Recipe.
Serving Up Your Skillet Masterpiece
This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Skillet is a hearty meal all on its own, but it's incredibly versatile with sides. Serve it over fluffy white rice, nutty brown rice, or protein-rich quinoa. For a low-carb alternative, cauliflower rice works wonderfully. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or fresh green onions for an extra touch of flavor and color.
Ready for a Flavorful Weeknight?
This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Skillet proves that healthy, delicious, and easy weeknight dinners are not just a dream – they're a reality! With its vibrant colors, incredible aroma, and irresistible taste, it's bound to become a recurring favorite in your home. Grab your skillet and let's get cooking!
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this skillet recipe?
Yes, absolutely! If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry with paper towels before adding them to the skillet. This helps them sear properly and prevents excess water from diluting the sauce.
What are the best serving suggestions for this Honey Garlic Skillet?
This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a side of steamed white rice, brown rice, or quinoa to soak up all the delicious honey garlic sauce. For a low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice.
How can I store and reheat leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat until just heated through, or microwave in short bursts. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp during reheating to maintain their tender texture.
Can I customize the vegetables in this recipe?
Absolutely! While broccoli is a classic choice, feel free to substitute or add other quick-cooking vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, asparagus, or green beans. Adjust cooking times as needed for different vegetables.
Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Skillet
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: High-Protein
Description
This easy one-pan skillet combines juicy shrimp, savory smoked sausage, and tender broccoli in a delicious homemade honey garlic sauce for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
12 oz smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on or off, patted dry
4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth to create a slurry. Set both aside.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Step 3: Add the broccoli florets to the same skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp and bright green. If desired, add a tablespoon or two of water and cover for 2-3 minutes to steam the broccoli.
Step 4: Push the broccoli to one side of the skillet. Add the patted-dry shrimp to the empty side and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
Step 5: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the shrimp and broccoli. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over all the ingredients. Bring to a simmer.
Step 6: Stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients.
Step 7: Remove from heat and serve immediately over rice, quinoa, or noodles.
Notes
For an extra garnish, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving. You can adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
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