Firecracker Shrimp and Broccoli – Slender Kitchen

Firecracker Shrimp is a staple for my family on busy weeknights when we’re in the mood for seafood. It’s easy to make, comes together quickly, and who can resist those insanely delicious flavors? This dish has always been one of my top picks when ordering take-out, so making a healthier version was a no-brainer.

This brings us back to this glorious Firecracker Shrimp recipe. Not only is it healthier (and just as delicious), but it’s also far lighter on your wallet than buying the meal at your favorite Chinese restaurant. The sauce is made with a simple yet delicious combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and lime juice.

I love serving this dish as the star of easy and healthy weeknight dinners when I’ve got a lot going on. The girls love it too, so it’s a win-win situation. In fact, they’ve been begging me to make them again, so I think it’s about time I listen. When we are doing a big takeout spread at home, we serve this with some Baked Egg Rolls, Fried Rice, or Chow Mein. 

You can serve this delicious shrimp dish with cooked veggies or use it to top off Asian-inspired salads, tacos, and grain bowls. Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize this dish to suit your flavor preferences!

Key Ingredients

To prepare this healthy shrimp recipe, you’ll need the following key ingredients,

• Shrimp: The recipe calls for larger shrimp, but you can use whatever size you have on hand. Be sure to peel and devein the shrimp before using them, or find shrimp that comes pre-peeled and deveined.
• Broccoli: I love the pop of color and crunchy texture that broccoli adds to the dish. However, feel free to swap this out for another veggie, depending on what you have. Other good options include asparagus, green beans, and zucchini.
• Honey: This natural sweetener is what gives the shrimp that sticky-sweet texture. It also balances out the savory flavors brilliantly. Maple syrup or brown sugar work as well.
• Sriracha: This gives the firecracker sauce the perfect amount of heat without overpowering the dish. Chili garlic paste, like sambal olek, will also work.
• Soy sauce: I like using the low-sodium variation to keep the sodium down in my dishes. For a gluten-free alternative, you can swap it out for tamari or coconut aminos.
• Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar imparts a delicate sweet flavor that’s extremely subtle and mellow but works as a great flavor enhancer. It’s perfect for enhancing the shrimp without overpowering it.
• Lime juice: Similar to the rice vinegar, lime juice adds an acidity that brightens up the dish and enhances all of the wonderful flavors.
• Garnishes: For the perfect final touches, I like to garnish this dish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. For a little more heat, feel free to add some crushed red pepper flakes.

Firecracker Shrimp Tips & Tricks

Here are some of my top tips and tricks to help you get the best firecracker shrimp every time:

• Make sure that the shrimp is dry before putting it in the pan. If the shrimp is wet, you might end up with steamed shrimp instead of sauteed.
• Feel free to play around with the flavors. If you prefer something sweeter, add more honey. Want something more savory? Just increase the amount of soy sauce. Need more spice? Toss in more sriracha.
• If you’re looking for a soy-free alternative, then coconut aminos are a great swap. Keep in mind that this will be slightly sweeter than soy sauce, so you may need to adjust the amount of honey accordingly.
• Not a fan of shrimp? Substitute it with cubes of chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegan take on this dish. If you’re going the tofu route, make sure to swap out the honey for agave.
• Want a more robust sauce? Add a cornstarch slurry to the pan and mix well. The sauce should thicken up significantly, so only add a tiny amount at a time until you’ve reached your desired consistency.

Side Dish Ideas

This mouth-watering delight pairs well with just about anything. For a heartier meal, I like to serve it with some whole grains like rice or quinoa. It also works great with soba noodles and veggies! Experiment until you find your favorite combination.

Not sure how to serve the dish? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Tacos and wraps. Tacos and firecracker shrimp are a perfect match for any family dinner. Simply load the shrimp into your tortillas, add some veggies, and drizzle some of the sauce from the pan on top. Voila!
• Plate it up. Try serving this dish as the star of the show alongside some cauliflower rice or quinoa and some broccoli or green beans.
• Noodles. This dish works great when served with your favorite noodles. Want a low-carb noodle alternative? Try these Stir-Fried Zucchini Noodles.

How to Store This Dish

It isn’t unusual for anyone to devour this dish all at once. However, in the event that you do wind up with leftovers or just want to meal prep ahead of time, you’re in luck. This dish stores incredibly well! Allow your shrimp to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight storage container. Then, store them in one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3 months.