1-First step: Mix the sauce and start the shrimp In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. This is the base of the honey garlic sauce, and it should taste sweet, salty, and a little sharp. Next, place 1 pound large shrimp in a zip-top bag and pour in about one-third of the sauce. Seal the bag and massage it gently so every shrimp gets coated. Let it marinate for 20 minutes to 2 hours. If you want to keep the dish milder, leave out the red pepper flakes. For gluten-free cooking, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.

2-Second step: Cook the broccoli Set a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the 1 head broccoli, cut into florets. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until the broccoli is crisp-tender. The goal here is not to fully soften the broccoli. You want it to keep a little bite so it holds up when the sauce goes in later. Transfer the broccoli to a plate while you brown the sausage. If you are adding extra vegetables like carrots or green beans, cook the firmer ones first so everything finishes at the same time.

3-Third step: Brown the sausage In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Add the 1 ring kielbasa sausage, 13 ounces, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, turning the slices now and then until they are browned on the edges. This step builds flavor in the pan. The browned bits left behind help the sauce taste richer later. If you are using andouille or turkey sausage, cook long enough to get color before moving on. For a lighter version, choose turkey sausage or chicken sausage, which still gives the dish a savory bite without as much fat. If you enjoy simple skillet dinners, you might also like my sausage and veggie foil packs for another easy sausage meal.

4-Fourth step: Cook the shrimp Add the marinated shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Shrimp cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it. If you overcook it, it can get rubbery. If you are using frozen shrimp, thaw it first and pat it dry before marinating. That helps the sauce stick better and keeps excess water out of the skillet. Fresh shrimp works great too, and either option makes this a quick dinner.

5-Final step: Finish the sauce and serve Pour in the reserved sauce and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. The sauce should bubble a little and coat the sausage and shrimp. If you want it thicker, stir in a small cornstarch slurry during this stage and simmer until it looks glossy. Add the broccoli back to the skillet and toss everything together until coated. Spoon the honey garlic shrimp, sausage, and broccoli over cooked white rice and finish with chopped parsley. The parsley adds freshness and makes the dish look brighter on the plate.