1-First step: mix the sauce Start by making the simple shrimp broccoli stir fry sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 shake red pepper flakes, and 1 clove minced garlic. Stir it well and set it aside. This quick sauce is what gives the dish its bold, savory finish without needing a long marinade. If you like sweeter sauce, you can later swap in hoisin sauce or use a little extra soy sauce mixed with hoisin.

2-Second step: prep the pan and onion Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the sliced white onion. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until the onion is soft and fragrant. This usually takes just a few minutes. The onion should look glossy and slightly golden at the edges, which helps build flavor for the shrimp stir fry.

3-Third step: cook the shrimp Add 1 pound of defrosted frozen shrimp with tails on to the pan. Cook until the shrimp are just turning pink. You want them mostly opaque but not fully cooked through yet. This is important because they will finish cooking with the broccoli and sauce. If your shrimp are already peeled, that works too, but keeping the tails on helps hold in moisture and gives the finished dish a nice look.

4-Fourth step: add the broccoli Add 2 cups broccoli florets to the pan, then cover and cook for 5 minutes. The broccoli should turn bright green and become fork-tender. Try not to overcook it, because broccoli stir fry tastes best when the florets still have a little bite. If you want to save time, use pre-cut broccoli florets straight from the store.

5-Fifth step: finish with sauce Pour the sauce over the stir fry and cook for 1 minute. Stir gently so the shrimp and broccoli get coated evenly. The garlic should smell strong and fresh, and the sesame oil should blend into the pan juices. At this stage, the shrimp should be fully cooked and tender, not rubbery.

6-Final step: serve right away Serve immediately while everything is hot and glossy. This shrimp and broccoli stir-fry is great on its own, but it also works over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice. If you want to stretch it into a bigger meal, add a side like grilled vegetables with a zesty marinade or pair it with a simple protein-packed dish such as garlic grilled shrimp for a seafood-friendly dinner spread.