You know that feeling when it’s 5 PM and you have no idea what’s for dinner? We’ve all been there. Staring into the fridge, hoping a meal will just appear.
Most nights, you just want something fast, easy, and not boring. You want a single pan, not a sink full of dishes.
This recipe is the answer. Honey garlic shrimp, savory sausage, and crisp broccoli all come together in one pan. It’s the meal that will make you feel like a kitchen hero on a regular Tuesday.
The Easiest Honey Garlic Shrimp and Sausage Dinner
This dish is all about big flavor with little effort. The sweet and savory sauce coats everything perfectly.
It’s a complete meal that hits all the right notes. You get protein from the shrimp and sausage, and healthy greens from the broccoli.
Plus, it looks way fancier than it is.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the simple shopping list for this recipe. Nothing too crazy, I promise.
- Shrimp: One pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen works.
- Sausage: About 12 ounces of pre-cooked smoked sausage, like andouille or kielbasa.
- Broccoli: One large head, cut into small florets.
- Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons for cooking.
- Garlic: Four cloves, minced. Don’t use the jarred stuff if you can help it.
- Honey: A quarter cup for that perfect sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: A quarter cup for that salty, umami kick. Use low-sodium if you prefer.
- Chicken Broth: Two tablespoons to thin the sauce. Water works too.
- Cornstarch: One teaspoon to thicken the sauce just right.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, for a little bit of heat.
Tools For the Job
You don’t need any fancy gadgets.
- A large skillet or frying pan (12-inch is great)
- A knife for chopping
- A cutting board
- A small bowl for the sauce
- A whisk
- Tongs or a spatula
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
I’ve made this dish hundreds of times. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way to make it foolproof.
Don’t Crowd the Pan
This is the number one rule for getting a good sear on anything. If you cram too much into the pan, everything will steam instead of brown. Cook in batches if you have to.
Pat Your Shrimp Dry
Before you cook the shrimp, pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Wet shrimp will not get that nice, pink sear. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference.
Garlic Goes In Last
Minced garlic burns really, really fast. If you add it too early, it will become bitter and ruin the flavor. Add it at the very end, right before you add the sauce liquids. Cook it for just 30 seconds until you can smell it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s get cooking. This whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes.
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Set this sauce mixture aside for later.
Step 2: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for about 4-5 minutes, until it’s nicely browned. Remove the sausage from the pan and set it on a plate.
Step 3: Add the broccoli florets to the same skillet. You might need another splash of oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the broccoli is tender but still has a little crunch.
Step 4: Push the broccoli to one side of the skillet. Add the dry shrimp to the empty side in a single layer. Cook for about 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink. Don’t overcook them!
Step 5: Turn the heat down to low. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan. Stir for about 30 seconds until you can smell the garlic.
Step 6: Add the cooked sausage back into the pan. Give the sauce a final whisk and pour it all over everything in the skillet. Stir gently to coat the shrimp, sausage, and broccoli.
Step 7: Let the sauce bubble for 1-2 minutes. It will thicken up quickly. Once it coats the back of a spoon, it’s done. Serve it hot.
| Cooking Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Task | Estimated Time |
| Prep Ingredients | 10 minutes |
| Cook Sausage | 5 minutes |
| Cook Broccoli | 7 minutes |
| Cook Shrimp & Sauce | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | ~27 minutes |
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have something on hand? No problem. This recipe is super flexible.
- No Sausage? Try diced chicken breast or thigh. Cook it through before adding the broccoli.
- No Shrimp? You can use all sausage or add some chicken instead. Scallops also work well.
- Different Veggies: Asparagus, bell peppers, snap peas, or green beans are great substitutes for broccoli.
- Make it Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Add some Crunch: Sprinkle some sesame seeds or chopped peanuts on top before serving.
Making it Work for Your Diet
You can easily tweak this recipe to fit different eating styles.
| Dietary Needs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Swap This | For This |
| Gluten-Free | Regular Soy Sauce | Tamari or Coconut Aminos |
| Low-Carb / Keto | Honey | Sugar-free maple syrup |
| Paleo | Soy Sauce & Cornstarch | Coconut aminos & arrowroot |
What to Serve It With
This dish is great on its own, but serving it with a base helps soak up all that amazing sauce.
| Serving Suggestions | |
|---|---|
| Base | Why It’s a Good Match |
| Steamed Rice | Classic, soaks up sauce well |
| Quinoa | Adds a nutty flavor and protein |
| Cauliflower Rice | Great low-carb option |
| Noodles | Turns it into a stir-fry meal |
| Crusty Bread | Perfect for dipping in the sauce |
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Life is busy. Here’s how you can prep this ahead of time.
Make-Ahead
You can chop the broccoli, slice the sausage, and mince the garlic ahead of time. Store them in separate containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also mix the sauce ingredients and keep it in a jar in the fridge.
Leftovers and Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The shrimp can get a little tough when reheated, so be gentle.
To reheat, you can microwave it in 30-second bursts. Or, even better, warm it up in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Ans: Yes, absolutely. Just make sure you thaw it completely before cooking. You can thaw it in the fridge overnight or place the frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over it for a few minutes. Pat it dry before cooking.
Q2. Can I cook this on a sheet pan in the oven?
Ans: Totally. Toss the sausage and broccoli with a little oil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes. Then add the shrimp, drizzle with the sauce, and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the shrimp is cooked.
Q3. My sauce is too thin/thick. How do I fix it?
Ans: If it’s too thin, let it simmer for another minute or two to reduce. If it’s too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water until it reaches the consistency you like.
Q4. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Ans: It sure is. The honey garlic sauce is sweet and savory, which most kids love. Just leave out the red pepper flakes if your kids don’t like spicy food.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. A fast, delicious, one-pan meal that solves the “what’s for dinner” problem. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or a complicated recipe to eat well.
Now it’s your turn. Give this recipe a try and see how easy it is.
Drop a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. I read every single one and love hearing your stories from the kitchen.
