Introduction
Oh, remember those nights when you just wanted something delicious and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen? This Honey Garlic Steak & Shrimp over Yellow Rice brings back all those cozy, happy memories for me! It’s the kind of meal that feels special enough for a weekend but is so incredibly simple, you’ll be whipping it up on a Tuesday. Seriously, it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen, and the best part? It’s incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for beginners and busy bees alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: We’re talking weeknight dinner speed here!
- Easy: Simple steps that even your little helpers can join in on.
- Giftable: Imagine packing this up for a friend who just moved or had a baby – they’ll thank you endlessly!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Steak, shrimp, AND a sweet and savory sauce? This hits all the right notes for everyone.
Ingredients
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! It’s not a long list, which is part of why I adore this recipe.
For the Steak & Shrimp:
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined – Fresh or frozen and thawed work beautifully here.
- 1/2 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized pieces – I love sirloin for its tenderness and affordability, but ribeye is a decadent treat!
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided – Your trusty kitchen staple.
- 2 tbsp honey – The star of our sweet glaze!
- 1 tbsp soy sauce – For that umami depth.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh garlic is key for that vibrant flavor.
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika – This little bit adds a lovely warmth and a hint of smokiness.
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste – Always season to perfection!
For the Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, chopped – Yellow or white onion works great.
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped – Adds a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tbsp olive oil – For sautéing our veggies.
- Salt and pepper, to taste – Just a sprinkle to bring out their natural flavors.
For the Yellow Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice – Basmati or jasmine are my favorites for this.
- 1 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth – Broth makes the rice so much more flavorful than water!
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder – This is what gives our rice that gorgeous golden hue.
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder – A little earthy spice to complement the turmeric.
- 1 tbsp olive oil – To toast the rice and spices.
- Salt, to taste – Just a pinch to season the rice.
How to Make It
Ready to create some magic? Let’s get cooking, step-by-step!
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Prepare the Yellow Rice:
First things first, let’s get that beautiful yellow rice going. Give your rice a good rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps get rid of excess starch so your rice isn’t sticky. In a medium saucepan, warm up 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your turmeric and cumin and let them get fragrant for about 30 seconds – oh, the smell! Now, add the rinsed rice and give it a little toast for about a minute. Pour in your broth and a pinch of salt. Bring it all to a boil, then turn the heat down to low, pop a lid on tight, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is perfectly tender. Once it’s done, resist the urge to peek! Let it stand, covered, for another 5 minutes. This resting time is crucial for fluffy rice.
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Prepare the Steak & Shrimp:
Now for the stars of our show! In a bowl, combine your bite-sized steak pieces. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, that lovely minced garlic, the smoked paprika, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a good toss to make sure every piece is coated. In a separate bowl, do the same for your shrimp – 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. A quick coating is all they need!
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Cook the Steak:
Get your largest skillet or a wok nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add your seasoned steak pieces in a single layer (don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of sear!). Cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully browned and cooked just the way you like them. Once they’re done, scoop them out of the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
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Cook the Shrimp and Vegetables:
Into that same hot skillet, add your chopped onion and green bell pepper. Let them sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften up. Now, add your seasoned shrimp to the skillet. They cook super fast, usually just 2-3 minutes, until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcook them – nobody likes rubbery shrimp!
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Create the Honey Garlic Sauce:
This is where the magic really happens! In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and soy sauce. It’s that simple! This sweet and savory glaze is going to tie everything together.
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Combine and Finish:
Bring your beautiful cooked steak back into the skillet with the shrimp and veggies. Now, pour that luscious honey garlic sauce all over everything. Give it a gentle stir to coat all those glorious pieces. Let it bubble for just another minute or two, until the sauce thickens up slightly and coats everything in a glossy glaze. It smells amazing, doesn’t it?
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Serve:
Fluff up that gorgeous yellow rice and spoon it into bowls. Top generously with your honey garlic steak and shrimp mixture. You’ve just created a restaurant-worthy meal in your own kitchen!
Substitutions & Additions
Feel free to make this recipe your own! It’s super adaptable.
- Veggies: Don’t have green bell peppers? Red or yellow bell peppers are wonderful too! Broccoli florets, snap peas, or even some sliced carrots would be delicious additions.
- Protein: Chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces would work beautifully in place of steak.
- Spice Level: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce or to the steak and shrimp when you season them.
- Citrus Kick: A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice over the finished dish can add a bright, zesty note.
- Garnish: A sprinkle of sesame seeds or some chopped green onions right before serving adds a lovely finishing touch.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is crucial for getting a good sear on your steak and properly cooking your shrimp. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Prep Ahead: Chop your veggies and cut your steak the day before to make weeknight assembly even faster. You can even whisk the honey garlic sauce ahead of time.
- Marinating (Optional): For extra tender steak, you can marinate the steak pieces in the garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper mixture for 15-30 minutes at room temperature before cooking.
- Rice Texture: Make sure your broth is hot when you add it to the rice to ensure even cooking.
How to Store It
Leftovers are delicious! Store any extra Honey Garlic Steak & Shrimp and Yellow Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of steak?
Absolutely! While sirloin and ribeye are great choices, flank steak or even tenderloin would work well. Just adjust cooking times based on the thickness of your cuts.
Is this recipe spicy?
This recipe is not inherently spicy, but it has a lovely sweet and savory flavor from the honey and soy sauce. If you enjoy heat, feel free to add red pepper flakes!
Can I make the yellow rice ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the yellow rice a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth, or in the microwave.
What can I serve with this besides yellow rice?
This dish is quite complete on its own, but you could also serve it over fluffy white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. A simple side salad would also be a refreshing accompaniment.
Honey Garlic Steak & Shrimp with Yellow Rice
Equipment
- Medium saucepan for yellow rice
- Large skillet or wok for cooking steak, shrimp, and vegetables
- bowl for seasoning steak and shrimp
- Small bowl for whisking sauce
- lid for rice
Ingredients
Steak & Shrimp
- 0.5 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 0.5 lb sirloin or ribeye steak cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Vegetables
- 1 small onion chopped
- 0.5 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
- salt and pepper to taste
Yellow Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice Basmati or jasmine
- 1.75 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
- 0.25 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil to toast rice and spices
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Rinse rice until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, warm 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sauté turmeric and cumin for 30 seconds. Add rinsed rice and toast for 1 minute. Pour in broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine steak pieces with 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. In a separate bowl, coat shrimp with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Heat largest skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add seasoned steak in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove steak and set aside.
- Add chopped onion and green bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey and soy sauce.
- Return steak to the skillet with the shrimp and vegetables. Pour the honey garlic sauce over everything. Stir gently to coat. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Fluff yellow rice and spoon into bowls. Top generously with the honey garlic steak and shrimp mixture.