The spicy-sweet combination of hot honey and savory garlic gives this shrimp and broccoli dish bold flavor without requiring complex prep. Everything comes together in a single pan and bakes in under 20 minutes for a no-fuss meal that still feels elevated.
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in both the shrimp and broccoli while giving them a deliciously crispy edge. The sticky hot honey glaze ties everything together, making this a weeknight dinner you’ll want to make on repeat. Serve it over rice, orzo, or even on its own for a wholesome, restaurant-worthy meal at home.
Full Recipe:
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1 cup long grain rice
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3 tablespoons honey
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1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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1 pound broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
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3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 pound uncooked large shrimp (31/35 size), peeled and deveined
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Red pepper flakes and lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 400°F and position a rack in the middle.
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Boil a large pot of salted water. Add rice and cook for 30 minutes until tender. Drain, return to pot (off heat), cover and steam for 10 minutes.
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While rice cooks, make hot honey: Combine honey and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes until warmed and infused.
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On a baking sheet, toss broccoli with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread evenly and roast for 10 minutes.
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Meanwhile, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the hot honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and minced garlic.
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Season shrimp with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
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Add shrimp to the baking sheet, drizzle with the hot honey mixture, and toss to combine with broccoli. Roast for an additional 6-8 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
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Serve over rice, drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon hot honey, and garnish with lime juice and red pepper flakes if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 370 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Flavorful Fusion: Hot Honey Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli
When it comes to weeknight dinners, the balance between flavor, speed, and simplicity can often feel elusive. That’s where the Hot Honey Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli recipe enters as a true game-changer. With bold layers of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, this dish is a complete meal that can be pulled together in about 30 minutes—without sacrificing texture, color, or taste. It’s quick, customizable, and most importantly, incredibly delicious.
At its core, this dish celebrates the genius of sheet pan cooking. By tossing shrimp and fresh broccoli florets onto a single baking tray, you cut down on dishes and streamline the cooking process. It’s also an ideal introduction to the world of hot honey—a condiment that’s becoming a favorite in modern kitchens for its versatile sweet-heat flavor profile.
Why Sheet Pan Dinners Work So Well
Sheet pan meals have soared in popularity for good reason. They allow you to roast different components of a meal simultaneously, often on a single tray. This method brings out deep, caramelized flavors while maintaining a hands-off cooking style that’s perfect for multitasking.
In the case of this shrimp and broccoli dish, roasting enhances the natural sweetness of the broccoli and gives the shrimp a tender, juicy bite. The hot honey glaze caramelizes slightly in the oven’s heat, forming a sticky, golden coating that infuses the shrimp and vegetables with irresistible flavor.
Another benefit is the even cooking that roasting provides. Shrimp cooks quickly, and when paired with bite-sized broccoli florets, the timing aligns beautifully. This harmony of cooking times is one of the keys to a successful sheet pan dinner.
The Star Ingredient: Hot Honey
Hot honey might just be the ingredient you didn’t know you needed. This modern condiment is simple in concept—honey infused with chili heat—but its applications are vast. In this recipe, hot honey plays a dual role: it acts as both a glaze and a finishing drizzle.
The sweet profile of honey helps balance the natural brininess of shrimp and the earthy, slightly bitter flavor of roasted broccoli. Meanwhile, the chili heat adds complexity and warmth without overwhelming the palate. The result is a sauce that’s bold and balanced, complementing each element of the dish.
Whether you make your own hot honey by infusing honey with red pepper flakes or use a store-bought version, it’s worth keeping this condiment in your pantry. It also works wonders on foods like fried chicken, pizza, roasted vegetables, or even cheese boards.
Nutritional Balance and Health Benefits
This dish isn’t just tasty—it’s nutritionally sound as well. Shrimp is a lean source of protein that’s low in calories and packed with nutrients like iodine, selenium, and vitamin B12. Broccoli brings its own powerhouse profile to the table, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins such as C and K.
The hot honey, while a sweet component, is used sparingly and contributes both flavor and a touch of natural sugar. If you’re looking to make the dish even lighter, you can reduce the amount of honey or opt for a lighter base like cauliflower rice instead of traditional grains.
The olive oil used in roasting adds heart-healthy fats, and the dish can be easily modified to suit gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-carb diets. It’s also low in saturated fat and offers a good amount of potassium and iron.
Customizations and Substitutions
One of the best aspects of this dish is its adaptability. The basic combination of shrimp, a green vegetable, and a sticky glaze can be tailored in countless ways to suit your preferences or pantry limitations.
For instance, you can replace the broccoli with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, green beans, or even bell peppers. Each brings its own texture and flavor, but all roast beautifully under high heat.
Don’t have shrimp? You can substitute it with chunks of boneless chicken breast, sausage slices, or even tofu for a vegetarian twist. The same glaze works across different proteins with equally delicious results.
For those who enjoy extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce or crushed chili flakes before roasting. On the other hand, if you prefer milder flavors, cut back slightly on the red pepper flakes in the hot honey.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
This hot honey shrimp and broccoli combo shines over a base of white rice, but it also works wonderfully with brown rice, quinoa, couscous, or even orzo. You can use whatever grain or starch you have on hand, or keep it low-carb by serving it on cauliflower rice or a bed of salad greens.
A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving adds brightness and contrast, cutting through the richness of the glaze. For a more complete meal, consider adding avocado slices or a sprinkling of sesame seeds for extra texture.
This dish also stores well and makes excellent leftovers. While it’s best reheated gently in a skillet to maintain the shrimp’s texture, it can also be enjoyed cold over a salad for a refreshing next-day meal.
Entertaining with Ease
Though simple, this dish feels gourmet enough for guests. Its colorful presentation—golden roasted broccoli, pink glazed shrimp, and a drizzle of amber honey—looks as good as it tastes. Serve it family-style on a large platter, or plate individually with steamed rice and garnishes.
Because it’s easy to multiply, this recipe is great for casual gatherings, meal prepping for the week, or even quick holiday meals. It requires minimal prep time and delivers big flavor, making it a reliable option when you’re short on time but want something impressive.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Once cooked, the shrimp and broccoli will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. It’s not a dish that benefits from freezing, as shrimp can become rubbery when thawed and reheated.
To reheat, place the leftovers in a hot skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen the glaze and gently warm them through. Avoid microwaving, which may overcook the shrimp and soften the broccoli’s crisp edges.
If you’re prepping in advance, you can cut and season the broccoli and marinate the shrimp with a portion of the hot honey glaze, storing each component separately until ready to roast.
Conclusion: A Weeknight Winner with Restaurant Flair
The Hot Honey Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli recipe offers everything home cooks crave—quick preparation, bold flavors, minimal cleanup, and a satisfying, balanced meal. It’s a prime example of how a few well-chosen ingredients, treated simply, can create a dinner that’s far greater than the sum of its parts.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a dinner party, this dish will impress without stress. With the sweet heat of hot honey, the rich umami of roasted garlic, and the fresh brightness of lime, each bite is layered, memorable, and crave-worthy.
Once you try it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, tweaking it to suit the seasons, your mood, or whatever’s in your fridge. It’s a versatile, flavor-packed staple you’ll be glad to have in your weeknight rotation.
