Sticky Sesame Honey Shrimp with Ginger Broccoli
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Sweet, sticky, honey-sesame shrimp is a quick and delicious recipe. It feels like a special dinner, but all you need is just 20 minutes, one pan, and 10 ingredients – that includes the ginger broccoli on the side!
This honey sesame shrimp has my favorite kind of dinner formula: quick, simple, and incredibly flavorful. In just 20 minutes, with about 10 ingredients and one pan, dinner is on the table and everyone’s happy. It’s no surprise this one’s a family favorite — it delivers big flavor with very little effort. If you like honey garlic shrimp, this is right up your alley, with sesame oil adding a little extra depth and richness.
The glaze is what really makes it shine. It cooks down into a glossy, syrupy sauce that clings to the shrimp, giving them that irresistible sticky finish while keeping them juicy and tender. A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top adds just the right amount of crunch, and the broccoli soaks up the extra sauce beautifully.
I love how straightforward this recipe is. I simmer the glaze ingredients, cook the broccoli and shrimp, then pour everything together and call it done. Since it all happens in one pan, cleanup is just as easy as the cooking — which makes this dinner feel like a win from start to finish.
Selecting your shrimp:
I like to choose Ocean Wise, sustainably raised prawn. There are some unsustainable fishing practices out there, so a quick and easy way to make sure you’re not supporting them is to look for the Ocean Wise or MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) logos when you’re buying seafood.
I like using peeled and deveined tail-on shrimp. Leaving the tails on adds so much flavor, but if you prefer, you can remove them before cooking.
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for here, you can ask it in the comments below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
What side dishes can I serve with this recipe?
While the honey sesame shrimp and fresh ginger broccoli side works as a standalone meal, you can bulk it out by serving it with a steaming side of basmati rice or cauliflower rice. I also like this recipe with my Asian slaw as the flavors complement each other.
Can I adjust the sweetness of this dish?
If you want this dish to be slightly less sweet, cook the shrimp in the honey-sesame glaze and don’t toss the broccoli in there, too. The ginger broccoli is delicious as it is, so only toss it in if you love honey sesame!
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooled to room temperature, pack your honey sesame shrimp and broccoli up in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
Can I adjust the spice level?
You sure can! Sprinkle additional red pepper flakes for heat, or omit them for a milder dish.
Watch how to make this recipe
Sticky Sesame Honey Shrimp with Ginger Broccoli
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free, if needed)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic (very finely minced)
- 1 pinch chili flakes
- 1 lb. tail-on shrimp
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (finely minced or ginger paste)
- 1 ½ lb broccoli (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. When it turns golden brown (after about 4-5 minutes) add the honey, soy sauce or coco aminos, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes to the pan and boil for 2 minutes. Pour the sauce into a heat-proof dish.3 tablespoons butter, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 3 cloves garlic, 1 pinch chili flakes
- Add the ginger and broccoli to the pan and let the broccoli cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften and brown spots appear, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the broccoli from the pan.1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 1 ½ lb broccoli
- Add the shrimp to the pan and let them cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or just until they turn pink.1 lb. tail-on shrimp
- Push the shrimp to the side and add the broccoli back to the pan and pour the sesame honey sauce over top. Mix together then serve right away.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
This was absolutely amazing!! One of the best shrimp recipes I have ever had. I used broccolini instead and also tossed in air fryer cauliflower. The only thing I have a question on is the sauce got super thick in the bowl?! I microwaved it to make it more of a liquid 🙂
my first time cooking shrimp, turned out beautifully.
thanks for the recipe <3
I have made this recipe so many times and always come back to it, one of my absolute favourites!
Great!! I used Tatsoi instead of broccoli and added mushrooms and cashews. Simply amazing?
I am on a diet so haven’t been cooking a whole lot lately but wanted to make something my husband would really enjoy. He loves Shrimp and garlic so I found this. He absolutely loved it and I got tons of points. LOL. Plus I snuck the broccoli in. The only thing I did a little different was tossed a little of the honey, soy sauce, garlic salt, pepper and a squirt of fresh lemon juice in a zip lock and let the shrimp soak for an hour in the fridge before I started. He was really glad I didn’t eat any because he will have enough to enjoy again tomorrow.
Delicious. I added sesame seeds when I added the sauce.
That’s great to hear, Barry!
Hi there! Going to make this for dinner tonight. If i wanted to add more veggies (snap peas, water chestnuts, and baby corn) should i just double up on the sauce?
Yep that would be a good idea!
Really good! I made with out the broccoli. I used a little less honey and would add a little more spice next time…sriracha or more red pepper flakes.
That’s wonderful to hear. Thanks, Karla!
This was so good! I used romanesco instead of broccoli, and I think next time I might add the ginger directly to the sauce instead of the broccoli. This is going onto my list of regular meals, I’m sure!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Ellie!
Oh my word!! This recipe has been in my foodgawker favorites and I just got around to making it tonight. I had to post this comment right away. This is by far one of the very best shrimp recipes I’ve ever made or tasted! I made this exactly as written, except for using green beans vs broccoli. To die for!! It is going into the GF rotation for sure! Super easy! Thank you for sharing!!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! Hooray!!
Excellent! Will make it often for dinner guests, because it is a hit! Do you have any recommendations for additional sides for my non-vegan friends? Also, desserts that would be a good addition? Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! I think this Asian coleslaw would go nice with the shrimp. It sounds like you have some vegans at the table. This vegan pot de creme is a go to recipe of mine and no one ever notices that it’s plant-based. Hope that helps!
THIS IS NOT GLUTEN FREE unless using GLUTEN FREE tamari sauce… please note this.
Coco aminos is gluten-free! I’ll note that in the recipe though as I definitely don’t want anyone who has to eat gluten-free to be confused. 🙂
This recipe is insane! It’s going on regular rotation.
Yaaa! I’m really happy you liked it!
I love how quick and easy this is! Pinning!
Thank you so much!
I made this last night….it was so good, and easy. Thanks for the recipe
You are so welcome!!