Getting a healthy dinner on the table takes just about 30 minutes with this Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe, and I promise, it’s way easier than it looks. This is one of those go-to meals I make when I want something fresh, satisfying, and full of flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this shrimp stir fry because it’s a perfect blend of tender shrimp and crisp-tender vegetables tossed in a luscious, slightly sweet and savory sauce. Plus, it comes together in a snap, making it ideal for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for weekend dinners.
- Quick and Easy: From prep to plate in about 30 minutes — perfect when you want a fast but wholesome meal.
- Flavor-Packed: The balance of garlic, ginger, honey, and soy sauce creates a sauce that’s both comforting and exciting.
- Customizable Veggies: You can swap in or add almost any vegetable you like, so you’re never stuck with just broccoli and bell peppers.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Keeps well and reheats beautifully if you want to cook once and eat twice.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this shrimp stir fry is chosen to create a harmony of texture and taste — the sweet honey complements the salty soy, while the crisp vegetables provide freshness and a satisfying crunch. Here’s a bit about the key players you’ll need.
- Shrimp: I use large, peeled shrimp (26/30 count) because they cook quickly and stay juicy without getting rubbery.
- Broccoli florets: Fresh is best for that satisfying snap, but frozen works fine too if you’re in a pinch — just thaw and dry well.
- Carrots (julienned): They add a subtle sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
- Yellow onion (sliced): Provides a mild, savory base flavor with a touch of sweetness as it cooks.
- Snap peas: These add crunchy, fresh notes that brighten the whole stir fry.
- Red bell pepper (sliced): For sweetness and gorgeous color contrast.
- Pepper sauce and garlic: These little flavor boosters make the sauce pop without overwhelming the shrimp or veggies.
- Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the sauce so it clings beautifully to every bite.
- Chicken broth and dry white wine: Used for deglazing and developing richness in the sauce — if you’d rather skip wine, chicken broth is a perfect substitute.
- Peanut oil: Great for high heat stir-frying without burning, but olive or vegetable oil will do if that’s what you have.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your tastes or whatever you have on hand. It’s really a playground for your creativity in the kitchen!
- Variation: I like to toss in some baby spinach or kale near the end of cooking for extra greens, and it adds a lovely earthiness without much fuss.
- Spice Level: The recipe uses just a touch of hot sauce for a subtle kick, but feel free to ramp it up if you like things spicier.
- Protein Swap: If you’re not a shrimp fan, chicken breast cut into thin strips or firm tofu work beautifully with the same sauce and veggies.
- Vegetable Swaps: Mushrooms, zucchini, or even baby corn can easily join the mix to keep it interesting.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Prep Smart to Save Time
The prep work makes all the difference in a stir fry. Start by mixing the cornstarch and cold water to make your slurry and setting it aside—this will thicken your sauce later. Then combine the rest of the sauce ingredients—soy sauce, honey, garlic, chicken broth, ginger, and hot sauce—into a bowl. Getting your shrimp thawed, patted dry, and veggies prepped ahead means everything moves quickly once you heat up the pan.
Step 2: Sauté Those Shrimp Perfectly
Use a high heat and peanut oil to get a nice sear on your shrimp. Cooking for about 1 minute and 20 seconds per side is key to keeping them tender, so use a timer if you have one. When they’re just cooked, transfer them off the heat; they’ll finish cooking later with the sauce without overdoing it.
Step 3: Veggie Time, Then Sauce Magic
Reduce heat slightly and deglaze the pan with white wine (or extra broth). I love scraping up those flavorful brown bits—this is flavor gold! Then toss in your broccoli, carrots, onions, and snap peas, cooking them until just tender but still bright and crisp, usually about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers last, since they cook fastest, and let everything mingle another couple minutes.
Step 4: Finish with Sauce and Shrimp
Pour your sauce mixture into the skillet and let it simmer until it thickens nicely—about 2 to 3 minutes. Then, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch slurry while stirring to get just the right consistency: silky and clingy, not gloopy. Slide your shrimp back in, along with any juices from their plate, and warm through for about a minute. That’s it — simple, stunning, done!
Top Tip
From countless times making this Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe, a few little tricks have saved me from common mistakes and elevated the final dish every time.
- Shrimp Timing: Don’t skip the timer — shrimp cook super fast and easily get rubbery if left too long.
- Patience with Sauce: Let your sauce simmer and reduce fully before adding cornstarch slurry to ensure the best thickness without clumps.
- High Heat, Fast Stir: Keep your wok or skillet hot and toss ingredients quickly to preserve veggie crunch and vibrant color.
- Dry Ingredients: Dry your shrimp and veggies well before cooking to avoid steaming and to get that satisfying sear.
How to Serve Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds—both add a fresh, nutty crunch that complements the dish beautifully. Sometimes I’ll add chopped peanuts or a handful of crunchy chow mein noodles if I want texture contrast.
Side Dishes
My favorite way to serve this stir fry is over freshly steamed jasmine rice, but brown rice, quinoa, or even noodles work wonderfully. Lightly sautéed Asian-style greens like bok choy are a great side if you want to add even more veggie power.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual dinner parties, I’ve served this stir fry in large earthenware bowls alongside mini bowls of chopped herbs, crushed peanuts, and hot sauce for guests to customize their own bowls. It’s delicious, family-style, and instantly festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The veggies stay crisp and the shrimp remain tender if reheated gently, which is key.
Freezing
While I’ve freeze-d leftovers wrapped tightly, I usually prefer to make fresh because shrimp can become a bit tough after freezing and reheating. If you do freeze, be sure to thaw fully and reheat carefully to avoid rubbery shrimp.
Reheating
To reheat, I like warming leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently just until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if you can — it tends to dry out shrimp.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely under cool water and pat dry before cooking. I recommend leaving the tails on for presentation, but you can remove them if you prefer.
You can easily substitute an equal amount of chicken broth for white wine if you prefer not to cook with alcohol. It still adds great flavor and helps deglaze the pan.
Shrimp cook very quickly, so timing is everything. Cook them for about 1 minute and 20 seconds per side on medium-high heat and use a timer to prevent rubberiness. Remember, they’ll cook a little more when reheated with the sauce.
For a vegan or vegetarian version, skip the shrimp and use firm tofu or tempeh instead. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and consider tamari for a gluten-free, soy-based sauce alternative.
Final Thoughts
This Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight rotation because it feels like a fresh, healthy treat that never takes forever to make. It’s quick enough for busy nights but a total crowd-pleaser with its vibrant colors and bold flavors. If you haven’t tried it yet, do yourself a favor and whip it up soon — I’m sure you’ll love how effortlessly delicious it is!
Print
Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Shrimp Stir Fry is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed with fresh vegetables in a savory honey-soy sauce. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal, it's served best over rice or noodles, combining a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy elements.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Stir Fry
- 1 pound large uncooked shrimp (26/30 count, peeled and deveined with tails on optional)
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil (can substitute olive or vegetable oil)
- ⅓ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- ¾ cup carrots, julienned
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
For Serving - Optional
- 3 cups cooked rice, any kind
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Combine the cornstarch and cold water in a covered container and shake well to mix. Set aside in a cool place. In a separate medium bowl, mix together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, hot sauce, and ground ginger. Set this sauce mixture aside.
- Prep the shrimp: Ensure shrimp are completely thawed if frozen, and pat dry. Remove shells, tails, and veins as preferred. This helps avoid overcooking and improves texture.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook about 1 minute and 20 seconds per side using a timer to prevent overcooking. Once cooked, transfer shrimp to a clean plate, allowing them to rest as they will continue cooking slightly with residual heat.
- Deglaze the pan: Reduce heat to medium and add the white wine or chicken broth to the skillet. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan. Let the liquid reduce by half, which should take about 3 minutes.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add more oil if necessary. Add broccoli, carrots, onions, and snap peas to the skillet. Toss vegetables to coat with the reduced liquid and cook for about 3 minutes until they are slightly softened. Then add the sliced red bell pepper and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the sauce and thicken: Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer. Let it reduce for 2-3 minutes and bring to a boil. Shake the cornstarch slurry again and slowly stir it into the bubbling sauce until the sauce reaches the desired thickness. Reduce heat to low.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked shrimp along with any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the shrimp and vegetables and heat through for about 1 minute to combine flavors.
- Serve: Serve the shrimp stir fry hot, ideally over cooked rice or your choice of noodles. Garnish with optional toppings like green onions, peanuts, sesame seeds, or crunchy noodles as desired.
Notes
- Shrimp Tips: Use large shrimp labeled 26/30 per pound, fresh or frozen. If frozen, thaw fully under cool water and pat dry. Removing shells after sautéing can prevent overcooking.
- Shrimp is typically pre-salted in brine; no additional salt needed before cooking.
- Frozen broccoli can be used; thaw and pat dry before cooking.
- Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio are good wines for deglazing, or substitute with chicken broth.
- The hot sauce adds flavor without significant spiciness; Frank's Hot Sauce recommended.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach, kale, mushrooms, or zucchini to customize your stir fry.
- Use low sodium soy sauce and broth to control salt content.
- Optional toppings: green onions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, crunchy chow mein noodles, sliced almonds.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet to avoid rubbery shrimp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Leave a Reply