Weeknights can be a whirlwind, right? Between work, school, errands, and everything in between, the last thing I want to do is fuss over dinner. That’s where this Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage and Broccoli recipe steps in and saves the day. It’s fast, packed with flavor, and you only need one skillet to make it happen. Talk about a total win.
This dish has quickly become one of our go-to weeknight staples. It’s got that perfect balance of sweet and savory, thanks to the honey garlic sauce, with juicy shrimp and smoky sausage rounding everything out. And let’s not forget the broccoli – slightly crisp, tender, and great for soaking up all that sauce. The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes.
Now, I’ll be honest – the first time I made this, it was one of those “throw it all in and hope for the best” situations. But once I saw how quickly it came together (and how fast it disappeared from plates), I knew it needed to be added to our regular rotation. It’s comforting, filling, and surprisingly versatile.
Let’s jump into how to make it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we dive into the step-by-step, here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this delicious dinner:
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
2 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
You likely have most of these on hand already, which is why this recipe is such a weeknight lifesaver. Let’s get started!
STEPS: Starting the Dish with the Key Flavors
Step 1: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Before you turn on the stove, go ahead and mix your sauce ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together:
Honey
Low-sodium soy sauce
Minced garlic
Vinegar (rice or apple cider – both work great)
Set this aside for now. It’s going to add that irresistible sticky-sweet flavor that ties everything together later.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, toss in your sliced sausage. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, letting them get nice and browned on the edges. That bit of crispiness brings out the smoky flavor, and it’s totally worth the extra couple of minutes.
When the sausage is browned to your liking, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. You’ll add it back in later.
Step 3: Steam the Broccoli
In the same skillet, add the broccoli florets along with just a splash of water – enough to help steam them. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the broccoli steam for about 2 to 3 minutes, until it’s starting to soften but still has a bit of crunch.
Then, uncover the skillet and let any remaining water evaporate. We want that broccoli to be tender, not soggy, and still have a bite to it when it hits your fork.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp
Now it’s shrimp time! Add the peeled and deveined shrimp right into the skillet. Season lightly with salt and black pepper, and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes per side. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn pink and opaque – no need to overcook them. Shrimp cooks super fast, so keep an eye on them!
Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage and Broccoli – Easy Dinner, Big Flavor
Now that we’ve got the shrimp, sausage, and broccoli cooked up and full of flavor, it’s time for the real magic — that sticky, savory-sweet honey garlic sauce. This is the part that pulls everything together and makes the whole dish so crave-worthy.
In this part of the recipe, we’re going to simmer everything in the sauce, thicken it just a bit, and then talk about a few smart tips to make this dish work even better for your schedule, your tastes, and whatever you happen to have on hand.
STEPS: Finishing the Dish with Sauce and Sizzle
Step 5: Bring It All Together with the Sauce
At this point, your shrimp should be just about cooked through and your broccoli slightly crisp-tender — that’s the perfect time to bring the sausage back into the skillet.
Once everything’s in the pan together, pour in the honey garlic sauce you made earlier. Stir everything gently to coat the shrimp, sausage, and broccoli in that sweet and tangy glaze. Let it all simmer for a minute or two to warm through and allow the flavors to start mingling.
It already smells amazing, right?
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
Now for the finishing touch: take your cornstarch slurry (that’s the cornstarch mixed with water) and stir it into the skillet. Keep the heat on medium-high and stir constantly for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce starts to thicken.
You’re looking for a glossy, lightly thickened coating that clings to each bite — not a heavy gravy, but something just thick enough to coat the ingredients and bring everything together. The sauce should reduce slightly and become rich and sticky in the best possible way.
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, go ahead and remove the skillet from the heat. That’s it — your dinner is ready to serve!
How to Serve This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage and Broccoli
This dish is fantastic on its own — it’s got protein, veggies, and flavor for days. But if you’re looking to stretch it a little or turn it into a heartier meal, here are a few easy pairing options:
Serve over rice – Jasmine or brown rice both work beautifully and soak up all that extra sauce.
Toss with noodles – Ramen, lo mein, or even spaghetti noodles make a great base.
Keep it low-carb – Spoon it over cauliflower rice or just enjoy it as-is for a light but filling option.
It’s a dinner that adapts to what you’re craving or what you’ve got in the pantry.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations
Want to make this meal your own? Here are a few easy ways to switch things up or enhance the flavor:
Go spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat, or use a hot smoked sausage.
Swap the sausage: Turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even andouille if you want more kick – they all work.
Mix up the veggies: Broccoli is great, but you can absolutely use what’s in your fridge. Snap peas, bell peppers, zucchini, or even green beans would be delicious.
Double the sauce: If you love extra sauce for spooning over rice or noodles, double the honey garlic sauce ingredients and adjust the cornstarch accordingly.
Meal prep friendly: This reheats really well, so feel free to double the recipe and portion it out for quick weekday lunches.
Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage and Broccoli – Answers & Final Thoughts
You’ve got your shrimp, sausage, and broccoli cooked to perfection, your honey garlic sauce thick and glossy, and dinner on the table in under 30 minutes — that’s a total win in my book. But I know how it goes — before you dive in or commit to a recipe, there are always a few questions that come up. Whether it’s ingredient swaps, storage, or how to keep shrimp from turning rubbery, I’ve got you covered.
Let’s wrap things up with a helpful FAQ section, then I’ll share a few final thoughts on why this dish is one you’ll want to add to your weekly rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen shrimp in this recipe?
Yes, absolutely. Just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking so they sear properly and don’t release too much water into the pan.
2. What kind of sausage works best?
I like using smoked sausage because it adds a rich, savory flavor, but turkey sausage or chicken sausage also work great. If you like a little spice, andouille is a fantastic option.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! This dish actually works well for meal prep. Just let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
4. How do I keep the shrimp from getting rubbery?
The key is to cook the shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque — about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Overcooking is what makes shrimp tough, so keep an eye on them and pull them off the heat as soon as they’re done.
5. What vegetables can I substitute for broccoli?
Snap peas, bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, or green beans all work really well. Use whatever is fresh or what you have on hand. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the vegetable.
6. Is there a way to make the sauce spicier?
Yes — add a pinch (or more) of red pepper flakes to the sauce, or stir in a little sriracha or chili garlic sauce for an extra kick.
7. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
You sure can! Just be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce. Everything else in the recipe should already be gluten-free.
Final Thoughts: A New Weeknight Favorite
There’s something so satisfying about a recipe that checks all the boxes: quick, delicious, and packed with protein and veggies. This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage and Broccoli skillet is exactly that kind of meal. It’s one of those dishes that you can throw together with minimal prep, but it tastes like something you’d get from a good takeout spot — only fresher and healthier.
Whether you serve it over rice, noodles, or just as-is, it’s the kind of meal that’s hard to mess up and easy to make your own. I’ve made it dozens of times, and every time it gets rave reviews from the family (even the picky eaters). Plus, with just one skillet to clean, it’s as practical as it is tasty.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Did you switch up the veggies? Add a little heat? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to share your own tips and tweaks. Recipes like this are meant to be shared, enjoyed, and made your own.
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Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage and Broccoli
Description
This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage, and Broccoli dish is a quick and flavorful stir-fry-style meal that comes together in one skillet. Sweet and savory honey garlic sauce coats juicy shrimp, smoky sausage slices, and tender broccoli, making it a balanced dinner packed with protein and vegetables. It’s perfect for busy nights when you need something hearty, healthy, and fast.
Ingredients
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
2 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the honey garlic sauce:
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until browned and slightly crisp. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
Add broccoli to the skillet with a splash of water. Cover and steam for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Uncover and continue to cook until any remaining water evaporates.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until pink and opaque.
Return the sausage to the skillet, then pour in the honey garlic sauce. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all the ingredients.
Remove from heat and serve hot with rice or noodles, or enjoy as is.
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, use spicy sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can substitute broccoli with snap peas, bell peppers, or zucchini based on preference or availability. This dish is best served immediately but also holds up well for meal prep and can be reheated easily in a skillet or microwave.
