High Protein Recipes

Honey Shrimp and Broccoli

Name: Honey Shrimp and Broccoli
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 lbs 1.5 Shrimp, peeled and deveined; 3 cups Broccoli florets, cut small; 1/2 cup Sliced water chestnuts; 1/3 cup Sugar-free honey substitute; 3 tbsp Soy sauce; 3 cloves Garlic, minced; 1 tsp Fresh ginger, minced; 1/4 tsp Xanthan gum; 2 tbsp Avocado oil; 1 tsp Sesame seeds

Caleb Rowan May 20, 2026

Servings: 4 Total Time: 20 mins Difficulty: Beginner

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A vibrant, low-carb skillet sensation featuring juicy shrimp and crisp broccoli tossed in a sticky, sugar-free honey garlic glaze. It’s sweet, savory, and ready in 20 minutes.

Craving the vibrant, glossy look of your favorite takeout but keeping things low-carb? This dish brings together juicy, plump shrimp and crisp-tender broccoli florets tossed in a rich, sticky glaze. It delivers that perfect balance of sweet and savory notes without skyrocketing your daily carb count.

Your Recipe Guide

What is Honey Shrimp and Broccoli?

This dish is a modern, health-conscious spin on a classic Asian-American takeout staple. Traditionally loaded with refined sugars and heavy cornstarch, this version swaps out the high-carb culprits for keto-approved alternatives. It offers a fast, vibrant skillet meal that brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your home kitchen.

Honey Shrimp and Broccoli Highlights

Succulent Shrimp: Plump, protein-packed shrimp that sear beautifully in minutes.
Crisp Broccoli: Fresh florets that absorb the delicious glaze while maintaining a satisfying crunch.
Sticky Sugar-Free Glaze: A luscious, sweet, and savory sauce made with keto-friendly sweeteners.
Water Chestnuts: Adds an authentic, refreshing crunch to mimic your favorite stir-fry experience.

Can This Honey Shrimp and Broccoli Support Weight Loss Goals?

Absolutely. By replacing traditional honey and cornstarch with low-glycemic alternatives, this recipe keeps blood sugar spikes at bay. The high protein content from the shrimp keeps you full and satisfied, making it an excellent addition to a calorie-conscious or ketogenic weight loss regimen.

Does Honey Shrimp and Broccoli Fit a Keto Lifestyle?

Yes, this recipe is fully tailored to fit seamlessly into a keto lifestyle. By utilizing a sugar-free honey substitute and xanthan gum for thickening, the net carbs are kept remarkably low. You get all the luxurious texture and deep sweetness of a classic stir-fry without breaking ketosis.

Why This Recipe is Special

Keto-Friendly Comfort: Delivers authentic takeout flavors entirely guilt-free.
Lightning Fast: Moves from your fridge to the dinner table in under twenty minutes.
High-Protein Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from the shrimp to support muscle recovery.
Perfect Texture Balance: Combines tender seafood, snappy broccoli, and crunchy water chestnuts seamlessly.

My Personal Experience

The Takeout Savior: This has completely cured my late-night cravings for Chinese food on busy weeknights. It cooks faster than any delivery driver can arrive at my front door.
The Ultimate Meal Prep: The broccoli stays beautifully vibrant and the shrimp retains its juicy texture even after reheating. It has become my absolute favorite lunch to pack for work.

Perfect For

This recipe is ideal for hectic weeknight dinners when time is short but cravings are high. It also works beautifully for Sunday meal prep or a quick, impressive date-night meal for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Cleanup: Made entirely in a single skillet or wok, keeping your kitchen prep clean and simple.
Customizable Heat: Easily adjustable so you can add a splash of sriracha or red pepper flakes for a kick.

Key Ingredients

I’ve included everything below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the Recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Shrimp: Peeled and deveined. They cook incredibly fast and provide a sweet, mild seafood base that pairs perfectly with the glaze.
Broccoli Florets: Chopped fresh. They act like little sponges, soaking up the savory sauce while adding a beautiful pop of green.
Water Chestnuts: Sliced. These add a classic, watery crunch to the skillet, though you can skip them if you want to lower the carb count even further.
Sugar-Free Honey Substitute: The star of the sauce. This provides that authentic, sticky sweetness without any of the sugar impact.
Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: Provides the deep, umami-rich base for our stir-fry sauce to balance out the sweetness.
Garlic and Ginger: Freshly minced. These aromatics create the fragrant backbone of the entire dish as they sizzle in the pan.
Xanthan Gum: A keto-friendly thickener. Just a tiny pinch creates that glossy, clingy restaurant-style glaze without using cornstarch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking the Shrimp: Leaving shrimp in the pan too long turns them rubbery; remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Crowding the Skillet: Cook in batches if needed so the shrimp sear beautifully instead of steaming in their own juices.
Adding Too Much Xanthan Gum: A tiny pinch goes a long way; adding too much will make your stir-fry sauce gummy rather than glossy.

Required Equipment

Large Non-Stick Skillet or Wok: Prevents the shrimp from sticking and ensures even heat distribution.
Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending the sugar-free honey, soy sauce, and thickener together.

Caleb’s Recipe Tips

Make sure your shrimp are completely patted dry with a paper towel before hitting the hot pan. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way that excess moisture prevents that gorgeous, golden exterior sear!
Whisk your xanthan gum into the cold sauce ingredients thoroughly before adding it to the heat. This simple step ensures a perfectly smooth, glossy glaze without any stubborn lumps.
Blanch your broccoli for just sixty seconds in boiling water before tossing it into the stir-fry. It locks in that vibrant green color and ensures it’s perfectly crisp-tender.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover stir-fry in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep it keto-friendly and fresh, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the glaze. Freezing is not recommended, as the broccoli and water chestnuts can become soggy upon thawing.

Print Recipe

Delicious

Honey Shrimp and Broccoli

Author: Caleb Rowan Cooking Method: Sauteing Cuisine: Asian Course: High Protein Recipes

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 20 mins

Servings: 4

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

A quick, healthy, and delicious alternative to classic Chinese takeout. Succulent shrimp, fresh broccoli, and water chestnuts are flash-fried and coated in a low-carb sweet glaze. It delivers maximum flavor with minimal prep time.

Instructions

Prep the Sauce: In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the sugar-free honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and xanthan gum until completely smooth and free of lumps.
Sear the Shrimp: Heat one tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then transfer to a plate.
Stir-Fry the Veggies: Add the remaining oil to the same skillet. Toss in the broccoli florets and water chestnuts, sauteing for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
Thicken and Toss: Lower the heat to medium, return the shrimp to the pan, and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until the glaze bubbles and thickens beautifully to coat the ingredients. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot.