Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage & Broccoli

Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Having everything ready before you start cooking makes the process smoother and helps prevent overcooking delicate items like shrimp. Measure out the honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice, and prepare the shrimp, sausage, and broccoli.

Peel and devein the shrimp if it hasn’t been done already. This step ensures that the shrimp cooks evenly and has a clean, tender texture. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to help it sear properly.

Slice the smoked sausage into ½-inch pieces. Using a sharp knife helps create even slices that will cook at the same rate. Smoked sausage adds a rich, savory flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey in the sauce.

Wash the broccoli and cut it into florets. Smaller, uniform florets cook more evenly and quickly. You can also peel and slice the stalks to use them—they’re just as tasty when sautéed.

Mince the garlic finely. Garlic releases more flavor when chopped small, and it pairs beautifully with honey and soy sauce in the sauce. You can adjust the amount based on how garlicky you like your dishes.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until smooth. This is your honey garlic sauce, which will glaze the shrimp and sausage beautifully later.

Heat a large nonstick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Adding a bit of olive oil will prevent sticking and give the sausage and shrimp a nice sear. Make sure the pan is hot before adding ingredients for better browning.

Add the sliced sausage to the skillet. Cook for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until it is nicely browned on all sides. Browning intensifies the sausage’s flavor and creates a subtle caramelization that works well with the sweet sauce.

Once the sausage is browned, remove it from the skillet and set aside. Leaving browned bits in the pan adds extra flavor to the shrimp when you cook it next, so don’t wipe the pan clean.

Add the shrimp to the same skillet. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side, until it turns pink and opaque. Shrimp cooks very quickly, so be careful not to overcook it, or it will become rubbery.

Remove the cooked shrimp and set it aside with the sausage. This keeps both ingredients from overcooking while you prepare the vegetables.

Add the broccoli to the skillet. Sauté it for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the broccoli to be tender-crisp so it retains its bright green color and crunch.

For extra tenderness, add a splash of water to the skillet and cover it for 1–2 minutes to steam the broccoli slightly. This helps cook the broccoli evenly without losing its vibrant color or nutrients.

Return the cooked sausage and shrimp to the skillet with the broccoli. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the mixture. Toss everything together so each piece is coated evenly with the sauce.

Let the mixture cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. The heat will help the flavors meld together, and the sauce will cling beautifully to the shrimp and sausage.

While the sauce is finishing, prepare your serving base. Spoon cooked rice or quinoa onto plates or into bowls. These grains absorb the sauce well and make the dish more filling.

Serve the honey garlic shrimp and sausage stir-fry over the rice or quinoa. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro if desired. Enjoy immediately while it’s warm and flavorful!

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