What if dinner could be sweet, savory, spicy, and done in one pan—no marinades, no fuss? This Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp, Sausage, and Broccoli Skillet leans on a glossy, sticky sauce and a hot skillet to deliver takeout-level flavor at home. Our focus keyword, honey garlic shrimp and sausage skillet, says it all: seared kielbasa (or andouille), juicy shrimp, and charry broccoli get lacquered in a honey–soy–garlic glaze with a whisper of ginger and sesame. It’s fast, flexible, and wildly satisfying.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount/Quantity |
|---|---|
| Large shrimp, peeled & deveined | 1 lb (450 g) — juicy, quick-cooking |
| Pre-cooked sausage (Kielbasa or Andouille), sliced 1/4-inch | 12–14 oz (~375 g) — smoky, meaty coins |
| Broccoli, small florets | 1 large head — crisp-tender bite |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp— for searing |
| Fresh parsley, finely chopped (garnish) | 2 tbsp |
| Sesame seeds (garnish) | 1 tsp |
Honey Garlic Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount/Quantity |
|---|---|
| Honey | 1/3 cup — glossy sweetness |
| Low-sodium soy sauce | 1/4 cup — umami backbone |
| Garlic, minced | 4–5 cloves — aromatic punch |
| Fresh ginger, grated (optional) | 1 tsp — bright warmth |
| Sriracha (optional) | 1 tsp — gentle heat |
| Sesame oil | 1 tsp — toasty finish |
Timing
- Prep: ~10 minutes (slice sausage, cut broccoli, mince garlic)
- Cook: ~15–18 minutes (sear sausage, char-steam broccoli, quick-cook shrimp, glaze)
- Total: ~25–28 minutes (about half the time of typical sheet-pan dinners)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sriracha (if using), and sesame oil until smooth and glossy. Set aside.
Tip: For extra cling, warm the honey 10–15 seconds so it dissolves easily.
Step 2: Sear the Sausage
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sliced sausage in a single layer; sear 2–3 minutes per side until browned and lightly crisp. Transfer sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon (leave the flavorful fat in the pan).
Tip: Browning = flavor. Don’t stir too soon; let the first side develop color.
Step 3: Char & Steam the Broccoli
To the hot skillet, add broccoli florets. Cook, tossing occasionally, 4–5 minutes until bright green with some char. Add 2–3 tbsp water, cover, and steam 2 minutes until tender-crisp. Push broccoli to one side of the pan.
Tip: If your skillet is small, do this in two quick batches to keep the sizzle.
Step 4: Quick-Cook the Shrimp
On the empty side, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and slightly curled. Avoid overcooking—carryover heat will finish them.
Tip: Shrimp are done when C-shaped and opaque; tight O-shapes mean overcooked.
Step 5: Combine & Glaze
Return sausage to the pan. Pour the honey garlic sauce over shrimp, sausage, and broccoli. Stir and simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens, coating everything in a sticky sheen.
Tip: If you want extra sauce for rice, splash in 1–2 tbsp water and simmer 30 seconds more.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Kill the heat. Sprinkle with parsley and sesame seeds. Serve immediately—straight from the skillet or piled over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Nutritional Information (per serving, 1 of 4; estimates)
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Protein: ~28 g
- Carbohydrates: ~27 g (~20 g sugars from honey)
- Fat: ~22 g (Saturated ~6 g)
- Sodium: ~980 mg (varies by sausage/soy)
- Notables: High-quality protein from shrimp; vitamin C from broccoli; sesame oil adds heart-friendly unsaturated fats.
Estimates based on listed ingredients divided by 4; adjust for brand and portion differences.
Healthier Alternatives
- Lower sodium: Use reduced-sodium soy (or half soy + half water) and choose lean turkey kielbasa.
- Trim sugars: Cut honey to 1/4 cup; balance with a splash more soy and a squeeze of lime.
- Gluten-free: Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos (sweeter—reduce honey slightly).
- More veg: Add bell peppers, snap peas, or zucchini in Step 3 for volume and fiber.
- Lean swap: Replace half the sausage with more shrimp or chicken sausage to reduce saturated fat.
- Lower carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage stir-fried with a little sesame oil.
Serving Suggestions
- Base pairings: Jasmine rice, garlicky noodles, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
- Fresh finish: Lime wedges, thin scallion slices, or chili flakes for pop.
- Crunch factor: Toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts add texture.
- Make it a bowl: Layer rice → skillet mix → quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar for contrast.
- Beverage: Sparkling water with lime or a light lager balances the sweet-savory sauce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: Leads to steaming not searing. Solution: Work in batches if needed.
- Rubbery shrimp: Cooking past pink and opaque. Solution: 1–2 minutes per side max.
- Soggy broccoli: Over-steaming. Solution: Char first, then steam briefly for tender-crisp.
- Watery glaze: Adding sauce to a wet pan. Solution: Let ingredients sizzle, then add sauce and reduce 2–3 minutes.
- Too salty: Regular soy + salty sausage can stack. Solution: Use low-sodium soy and taste before salting.
Storing Tips
- Refrigerate: Airtight container, 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Skillet over medium with a splash of water to loosen the glaze; avoid overcooking shrimp.
- Freeze: Best to freeze sausage + broccoli; add fresh-cooked shrimp when reheating for best texture.
- Make-ahead: Whisk sauce up to 3 days in advance; pre-slice sausage and prep broccoli for a 10-minute cook.
Conclusion
This honey garlic shrimp and sausage skillet brings weeknight magic: one pan, six core ingredients, and a glossy glaze that clings to every bite. The broccoli’s char, the shrimp’s snap, and the sausage’s smoky richness make a complete, craveable meal in under 30 minutes. Cook it tonight and tell me your favorite add-ins—bell peppers, noodles, extra heat? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more fast, flavor-first skillet dinners.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes—thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear instead of steam. Add 30–60 seconds if still chilly.
Q2. Which sausage works best?
Kielbasa is mild and smoky; andouille adds more heat. Turkey versions lighten the dish without losing snap.
Q3. How do I make it spicier?
Increase sriracha to 1–2 tsp, add red pepper flakes, or toss in fresh chili with the broccoli.
Q4. Can I swap the broccoli?
Absolutely—try broccolini, snap peas, green beans, or bell peppers. Keep the tender-crisp cue for the best bite.
Q5. How can I thicken the sauce more?
Let it bubble 1–2 extra minutes or stir in a slurry (1/2 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp cold water), simmering until glossy.
Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp and Sausage Broccoli Skillet
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined about 450 g
- 12-14 oz pre-cooked sausage (Kielbasa or Andouille), sliced 1/4-inch smoky, meaty coins
- 1 head broccoli, small florets tender-crisp
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (garnish)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (garnish)
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey warm 10–15 sec to loosen
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced aromatic punch
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional) bright warmth
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional) gentle heat
- 1 tsp sesame oil toasty finish
Instructions
- Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sriracha (if using), and sesame oil until smooth and glossy. Tip: Warm the honey 10–15 seconds so it dissolves easily.
- Sear the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sliced sausage in a single layer; sear 2–3 minutes per side until browned and lightly crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan. Tip: Don’t stir too soon; let the first side develop color.
- Char & Steam the Broccoli: To the hot skillet, add broccoli. Cook, tossing occasionally, 4–5 minutes until bright green with some char. Add 2–3 tbsp water, cover, and steam 2 minutes until tender-crisp. Push broccoli to one side of the pan.
- Quick-Cook the Shrimp: On the empty side, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and slightly curled. Avoid overcooking—carryover heat will finish them.
- Combine & Glaze: Return sausage to the pan. Pour the honey garlic sauce over shrimp, sausage, and broccoli. Stir and simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens, coating everything in a sticky sheen. For extra sauce, splash in 1–2 tbsp water and simmer 30 seconds more.
- Garnish & Serve: Kill the heat. Sprinkle with parsley and sesame seeds. Serve straight from the skillet or over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Notes
- Use turkey sausage for a lighter option, or andouille for more heat.
- Frozen broccoli works—add directly to the hot pan and cook a minute longer before steaming.
- Gluten-free: use tamari or coconut aminos.
- Low-sodium: choose reduced-salt sausage and soy sauce.
- Serving ideas: steamed rice, garlic noodles, or cauliflower rice.
