One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli

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Shrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy one-pot recipe, perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this healthy shrimp recipe over whole-grains or rice.

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4
  • This recipe is perfect for weeknights—easy to prepare, flavorful and cooks quickly in one pot.
  • Shrimp is a healthy source of lean protein that supports muscles, and it's also high in heart-healthy omega-3s.
  • It's a reason to stock your freezer with shrimp! Simply thaw the shrimp under cold running water.

This One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli dish will have dinner on the table lickety-split—perfect for busy weeknights. Antioxidant-rich broccoli and red bell pepper become fork-tender and toothsome without becoming mushy. Protein-filled shrimp bring a taste of the sea, while garlic adds its classic spiciness. A touch of lemon at the end adds a light, bright finish. Plus, it's gluten-free. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what to serve with this dish.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

  • Use prepackaged prewashed broccoli florets as a convenient shortcut.
  • This recipe suggests using basic salt and pepper for seasoning; however, you can experiment a little and substitute these with lemon pepper or add some heat with red chili flakes.
  • The recipe requires 6 garlic cloves. You can expect to get about 10 to 12 cloves if you use a whole bulb of white garlic. Store any leftover cloves in a dark, cool, dry place or the freezer, but avoid storing them in the fridge.
  • If you use a fresh lemon for the juice—which is always the best option—you can extract 2 to 3 tablespoons. Use any extra lemon to flavor your water, add to salad dressings or spritz on vegetables.

Nutrition Notes

  • Broccoli is a fiber-filled, antioxidant-rich cruciferous vegetable that is loaded with health benefits. Eating more cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, improve gut health and bolster your immune system. The red bell pepper adds more of these same benefits, since both vegetables reduce inflammation throughout the body.
  • Shrimp is an excellent source of muscle-building lean protein. While shrimp is high in cholesterol, the cholesterol in the food we eat has little impact on our blood cholesterol. What does impact our bodies' cholesterol levels is saturated and trans fats. Since shrimp has virtually none of either, it is considered a healthy source of protein—plus other essential nutrients, including heart-healthy omega-3s.
  • Garlic has been linked with numerous health benefits, including a healthier heart, immune system, gut and blood sugar levels. Garlic's potential health benefits are more likely to add up and have an impact by increasing how frequently you eat it.
Ingredients including shrimp, broccoli, garlic, red bell pepper, lemon, oil, salt, and pepper on a wooden surface

Photographer: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf;Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 6 medium cloves garlic, sliced, divided

  • 4 cups small broccoli florets

  • ½ cup diced red bell pepper

  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • 1 pound peeled and deveined raw shrimp (21-30 count)

  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice, plus more to taste

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add half the garlic and cook until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add 4 cups broccoli, ½ cup bell pepper and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice and adding 1 tablespoon water if the pot is too dry, until the vegetables are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.

    Cooking broccoli and red peppers in a skillet with a wooden spoon

    Photographer: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf;Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  2. Increase heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot. Add the remaining garlic and cook until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add 1 pound of shrimp and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until the shrimp are just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Return the broccoli mixture to the pot along with 2 teaspoons lemon juice and stir to combine.

    Cooked shrimp with broccoli and red peppers in a pan

    Photographer: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf;Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Equipment

Large pot

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's an easy way to cut broccoli into florets?

    To cut broccoli, cut off the long stem and trim any leaves. Then, cut the crown into individual florets and the larger florets in half. Don't throw away the broccoli stem. It is edible and can be used for slaws or stir-fries.

  • What type of shrimp should I use?

    Look for 21-30 count peeled and deveined raw shrimp. The best way to buy shrimp is by the number needed to make 1 pound. For example, a "21-30 count" means 21 to 30 shrimp will be in a pound. Frozen shrimp is a convenient option. When ready to use frozen shrimp, thaw them under cold running water and pat them dry before cooking.

  • What should I serve with One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli?

    Serve this simple and healthy dish over brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, orzo or your favorite pasta. Make a simple green salad to complete the meal.

  • How should I store and reheat shrimp and broccoli?

    Store the food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, do so in short 1-minute bursts in the microwave, over medium-low heat on the stovetop or in a 325°F oven for about 5 minutes. Reheating is fairly straightforward, but it's important to monitor it closely to prevent overcooking. Overcooked shrimp will become rubbery and tough, while broccoli may turn mushy instead of remaining crisp.

EatingWell.com, September 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

214 Calories
11g Fat
6g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 214
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 2g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 25g 50%
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 183mg 61%
Vitamin A 2074IU 41%
Sodium 441mg 19%
Potassium 525mg 11%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.,
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
Jan Valdez,

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.