Gotta tell ya, this honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli recipe is a total game-changer for busy weeknights. Made it for my fam last week and everyone went crazy for it! The combo of sweet honey with that savory garlic hits just right, while the shrimp and sausage bring amazing protein. What I really love bout this dish is how everything comes together in just one pan in under 30 mins. Seriously, the flavors are incredible and clean-up is minimal. Keep reading cuz I’m sharing all my tips for making this honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Recipe
Ever struggled with getting dinner ready when you’re exhausted after work? Been there! This honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli recipe totally saved me during a hectic week when the kids had soccer practice and I had zero energy. The best thing is how versatile it is – you can swap ingredients based on what you have in the fridge.
My husband used to complain about “boring” dinners until I started making this. Now he requests it at least twice a month! The sauce is the real star – sticky, sweet and savory all at once. And everything cooks in one pan, so you’re not stuck washing dishes all night.
This works great for meal prep too. Just portion it out with some rice and you’ve got lunches sorted for days. Let’s get into the details so you can make this amazing dish tonight!
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli
For the Protein
- 1 pound large shrimp – peeled and deveined. Frozen works fine, just thaw em completely first. The bigger shrimp hold up better in this recipe
- 12 ounces smoked sausage – I use kielbasa but andouille works great for extra kick. Just slice into 1/4 inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – helps with browning but avocado oil works too if that’s what ya have
For the Veggies
- 4 cups broccoli florets – fresh is best but frozen works in a pinch, just add a couple mins to cooking time
- 1 red bell pepper – adds nice color and sweetness, diced into chunks
- 1 medium onion – yellow or sweet onion gives the best flavor, chopped roughly
For the Amazing Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey – the real deal, not honey substitute. This gives that sticky sweet coating
- 6 cloves garlic – yeah it seems like a lot but trust me on this
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce – low sodium preferred, keeps the salt level manageable
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar – adds that tangy balance, apple cider vinegar works too
- 1 teaspoon sriracha – adjust based on how spicy you like things
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger – fresh grated ginger is even better if you have it
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch – crucial for thickening the sauce, don’t skip this
How to Make Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli
- Prep everything first – Seriously, this recipe moves quick. Get your shrimp peeled, sausage sliced, and broccoli chopped before starting. Mix the sauce ingredients (honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, ginger) in a small bowl, leaving out the cornstarch for now.
- Brown the sausage – Heat your largest skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and toss in the sliced sausage. Cook for about 3-4 mins until they get that nice brown color. The edges should get slightly crispy. Remove to a plate.
- Cook the shrimp – In the same pan, add another tbsp of oil if needed. Toss in the shrimp and cook just until they turn pink, about 2 mins per side. Don’t overcook! They should just barely be done. Remove and add to the plate with sausage.
- Sauté the veggies – Still using the same pan (loving that one-pan magic!), add the onions and cook for 2 mins until they start getting translucent. Add the red pepper and cook another 2 mins. Finally, add the broccoli with 2 tbsp water, cover and steam for about 3 mins until bright green but still crisp.
- Make it saucy – Mix the cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour your honey garlic sauce mixture into the pan with the veggies and bring to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until it thickens, about 1 min. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Bring it all together – Add the shrimp and sausage back to the pan. Gently toss everything together until well coated with sauce and heated through, about 1-2 mins. Don’t overcook or the shrimp will get tough!
Tasty Variations for Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli
Spicy Cajun Style
Swap the kielbasa for andouille sausage and add 1 tbsp cajun seasoning to the sauce. This gives it a nice kick that pairs amazingly with the honey sweetness.
Asian-Inspired Version
Add 1 tbsp oyster sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil to the sauce. Throw in some water chestnuts and bamboo shoots with the veggies. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Veggie Overload
Double the broccoli and add 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 1 cup snap peas, and 1 grated carrot. Perfect for using up whatever’s in the fridge!
Mediterranean Twist
Use chicken sausage instead of kielbasa. Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup kalamata olives to the veggie mix. Finish with crumbled feta on top.
Pineapple Sweet & Sour
Add 1 cup pineapple chunks when you add the sauce and increase the vinegar to 2 tbsp. Creates an amazing sweet and tangy flavor profile.
FAQ – Your Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Questions Answered
Can I make honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli ahead of time?
Totally! This dish holds up great in the fridge for about 3 days. For meal prep, I actually undercook the broccoli slightly so it doesn’t get mushy when reheated. When reheating, add a splash of water to loosen up the sauce.
What can I substitute for shrimp if someone has allergies?
Chicken works awesome! Just cut boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and cook a bit longer than you would the shrimp (about 5-6 mins). You could also use firm tofu for a vegetarian option – just make sure to press it well and pan fry until crispy before adding the sauce.
How do I know when shrimp is perfectly cooked?
This trips up a lot of people! Shrimp cook super fast. They’re done when they turn from gray/translucent to pink and opaque, and curl into a C shape. If they curl into a tight O shape, they’re overcooked. Usually takes just 2 mins per side.
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yep! Just don’t thaw it first – add it frozen directly to the pan. It’ll need 1-2 mins extra cooking time. The texture won’t be quite as crisp as fresh, but the flavor will still be great.
What’s the best way to serve honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli?
We love it over rice to soak up all that amazing sauce! Brown rice, white rice, or even cauliflower rice all work great. It’s also awesome over noodles like lo mein or rice noodles. For a lower-carb option, try it over zucchini noodles.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Easy! Just swap the regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Double check your sausage ingredients too, as some brands contain fillers with gluten. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Can I add more vegetables to this honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli?
For sure! This recipe is super flexible. Snow peas, carrots, mushrooms, and zucchini all work great. Just add harder veggies earlier in the cooking process and quick-cooking ones later so everything finishes at the same time.
Make This Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli Your Own
Gotta say, this honey garlic shrimp, sausage & broccoli has become a staple in our house. My daughter who normally picks around broccoli actually asks for seconds! There’s something about that sticky honey garlic sauce that just makes everything taste amazing.
I love seeing friends’ faces when they take that first bite – always surprise then pure joy. The way the sauce clings to everything with that perfect balance of sweet and savory is just unbeatable. Try it this weekend and I bet it’ll become part of your regular rotation too!
Looking for more amazing shrimp recipes? Check out my Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers for summer cookouts or this refreshing Shrimp Avocado Salad that’s perfect for lunch!
Honey Garlic Shrimp Sausage & Broccoli
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or spatula
- Measuring spoons/cups
Ingredients
For the Protein:
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 12 ounces smoked sausage e.g. kielbasa or andouille, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Veggies:
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 medium yellow or sweet onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons water for steaming
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water for slurry
Instructions
Prep Everything First:
- Peel and devein shrimp, slice sausage, chop veggies. Mix sauce ingredients (honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, ginger) in a bowl. Leave out cornstarch for now.
Brown the Sausage:
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook sausage slices 3-4 mins until browned. Remove to a plate.
Cook the Shrimp:
- Add another tbsp oil if needed. Cook shrimp 2 mins per side until pink and opaque. Don’t overcook. Transfer to the same plate.
Sauté the Veggies:
- In the same skillet, cook onions for 2 mins. Add bell pepper for 2 mins more. Add broccoli + 2 tbsp water, cover and steam 3 mins until bright green and crisp.
Make the Sauce:
- Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to make slurry. Pour sauce mix into pan with veggies, bring to a simmer. Add slurry, stir until thick (about 1 min).
Combine Everything:
- Return shrimp and sausage to pan. Toss gently to coat in sauce. Heat 1-2 mins more, then serve hot.