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.
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
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Four more incredible shrimp recipes
Chili Lime Shrimp
Cashew Shrimp (20-minute recipe!)
Bang Bang Shrimp (lightened-up recipe with all the flavor!)
Baked Coconut Shrimp with Mango Dipping Sauce
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.
