How to Make Delicious Chinese Broccoli and Shrimp at Home

Chinese broccoli and shrimp is a classic Chinese takeout dish that is loved by many for its delicious combination of tender shrimp and fresh, green broccoli florets in a rich brown sauce This recipe is actually quite easy to make at home, and you can have restaurant-quality broccoli and shrimp on the table in under 30 minutes!

In this article, I’ll share my tips and step-by-step instructions for making authentic Chinese broccoli and shrimp, including how to prepare the shrimp, make the brown sauce from scratch, and quickly stir-fry everything together. Keep reading for the full recipe!

Why Make Broccoli and Shrimp at Home?

There are several great reasons to try making this dish yourself rather than ordering takeout:

• It’s faster – With minimal prep and a quick stir-fry time, you can have this ready in about 15-20 minutes at home. No need to wait around for delivery!

• It’s healthier – Restaurant versions often have extra oil salt and MSG added. Making it yourself allows you to control exactly what goes into it.

• It’s cheaper – Cooking at home costs just a fraction of takeout prices Plus you’ll likely have leftovers!

• It tastes better! – Using high quality, fresh ingredients like raw shrimp and broccoli florets means you’ll get superior flavor.

Once you try this homemade version, you may never want to order out again!

Tips for Making the Best Broccoli and Shrimp

Here are some of my top tips for nailing this classic dish:

• Use raw shrimp – Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp work best to get tender, juicy results. Avoid pre-cooked shrimp.

• Butterfly the shrimp – This helps them cook evenly and absorb more flavor. It’s easy to do with raw shrimp.

• Blanch the broccoli – Quickly boiling it first keeps it crisp-tender when stir-fried.

• Make the sauce from scratch – It packs way more flavor than store-bought alternatives.

• Use a very hot wok – This ensures the shrimp cooks fast without overcooking.

• Stir-fry in batches – Cooking in smaller batches prevents steaming.

Follow these tips and the recipe below, and you’ll have restaurant-worthy broccoli and shrimp in no time!

Step-by-Step Recipe

Without further ado, here is a complete walkthrough for how to make authentic shrimp and broccoli just like your favorite Chinese restaurant!

Ingredients

• 1 lb raw, peeled shrimp, deveined and butterflied
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch ginger, minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Butterfly the shrimp by slicing halfway through the backs and opening up. Set aside.

2. Cut the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces if needed. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and broth. Stir to mix well. This is your stir-fry sauce.

4. In a separate small bowl, stir together the cornstarch with 2 tsp water until dissolved.

5. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and blanch for 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate.

6. Return the water to a boil. Add the shrimp and blanch for just 15 seconds until they turn orange. Immediately drain and set aside.

7. Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Swirl in the cooking oil to coat the sides.

8. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 10 seconds until fragrant.

9. Add the shrimp and broccoli. Pour the prepared sauce over everything.

10. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are just cooked through.

11. Give the cornstarch mixture a final stir and drizzle it into the wok while stirring constantly. Cook for about 30 seconds until the sauce thickens slightly.

12. Remove from heat immediately once the sauce coats the shrimp and broccoli.

13. Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Results

• Make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before stir-frying. This helps sear the shrimp and broccoli so they cook quickly without overcooking.

• Work in batches if needed to avoid steaming the ingredients.

• Add the cornstarch slurry right at the end. Just bring it to a boil briefly until thickened. Too much stirring after makes the cornstarch gloopy.

• The final dish should have a nice glossy cling to the sauce without any puddles. Adjust the cornstarch slurry as needed.

• For more tender shrimp, try brining them in saltwater for 15 minutes before cooking.

• Substitute calamari or scallops for the shrimp if you like. Adjust cook times as needed.

• Serve immediately over freshly steamed rice. Refrigerate leftovers.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about making broccoli and shrimp at home:

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, thawed frozen shrimp will work well. Just make sure they are raw and not pre-cooked.

Can I use pre-cut broccoli florets?

Absolutely! Pre-cut florets will reduce your prep time. Just watch the blanching time and don’t overcook.

Is blanching the broccoli necessary?

It’s highly recommended to get the best texture. Blanching partially cooks it so it stays crisp when stir-fried.

Do I need a wok to make this?

A wok is ideal, but a large non-stick skillet also works well. Just be sure it can get very hot.

What’s the best rice to serve it with?

Steamed white jasmine rice is classic, but brown or cauliflower rice also pair nicely.

Final Thoughts

Recreating classic Chinese broccoli and shrimp at home is easier than you think. With fresh, high quality ingredients and the simple stir-fry method outlined above, you can have restaurant-quality results with way less time, money, and effort.

I hope these tips and step-by-step instructions give you the knowledge and confidence to start cooking up this tasty crowd-pleaser at home. As always, feel free to tweak flavors to your taste and get creative with substitutions if you like.