Go Back
Delicious shrimp and broccoli stir fry with light sauce

Quick Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry (Light Sauce)

This quick and healthy shrimp and broccoli stir-fry features a light, savory sauce and comes together in minutes for a perfect weeknight meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 568 kcal

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Tiny bowl
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

Shrimp

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch for tenderizing shrimp

Broccoli

  • 1 large head broccoli about 4-5 cups, cut into bite-sized florets

Aromatics

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated or minced

Oil

  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil)

Light Stir-Fry Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (unseasoned)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup optional, for sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch for thickening
  • 1 tablespoon cold water to make a cornstarch slurry

Instructions
 

Prep Your Ingredients

  • Pat the shrimp dry, then mix with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a bowl and set aside.
  • Ensure broccoli florets are uniform in size.
  • Mince the garlic and ginger.
  • Whisk together soy sauce, broth, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and optional honey in a small bowl; in a separate tiny bowl, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water to make a slurry.

Cook the Broccoli

  • Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green with some brown bits. Remove broccoli and set aside.

Cook the Shrimp

  • Add a little more oil if needed and increase heat to high.
  • Add seasoned shrimp in a single layer, cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; cook in batches if necessary, then remove and set aside with the broccoli.

Sauté Aromatics & Add Sauce

  • Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Whisk the prepared sauce, pour it into the pan, and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry and slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while continuously whisking for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Combine & Serve

  • Return the cooked shrimp and broccoli to the pan with the thickened sauce.
  • Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly, then serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the shrimp for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Adjust the amount of honey/maple syrup to your preferred sweetness level. Serve this stir-fry over rice or noodles for a complete meal.