Coconut Shrimp Curry

/5 –

By: Diana Posted: 3/3/21 Updated: 5/15/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

One-pan coconut shrimp curry made with a creamy and aromatic coconut curry sauce made from scratch. This delicious dinner is so easy and ready in no time! Serve over steamy rice, homemade naan bread, and wedges of fresh lime.

Coconut shrimp curry served in a white bowl with white rice

This recipe is one of the easiest dinners that you can make at home in under 30 minutes! Forget take-outs, ditch jarred sauces, and make this simple curry instead. This is a very easy and tasty curry sauce that has the right balance of flavors and spices.

What is Curry?

Curry originally comes from India but can be found in other cuisines as well such as Thai, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Bengali, and the Caribbean. A curry sauce is made with a combination of spices, with the main spice being turmeric which is used to give color to the curry and to flavor it.

The most common type of curries that you’ll find served in the West is a mild tomato-based curry often mixed with coconut milk. Here are a few good examples: Indian Rajma kidney bean curry, Indian butter chicken, sweet potato curry, eggplant and chickpea curry, vegan coconut curry, and coconut chicken curry.

Tip!

When cooking a tomato-based dish, avoid using a cast iron pan. Instead, use a stainless steel skillet.

The Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make coconut shrimp curry:

Ingredients needed to make coconut shrimp curry: raw shrimp, coconut milk, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, ginger, lime, brown sugar, coconut oil, salt and pepper, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili powder.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Shrimp – use thawed jumbo raw shrimp that is deveined and peeled. You can leave the tail on just for aesthetics, or remove it for easy eating. I used 31-35 shrimp count (7-8 shrimps per portion).
Coconut milk – I recommend using full fat and creamy coconut milk for a rich and flavorful curry sauce.
Tomato sauce – I like to use tomato sauce or passata for a smoother sauce, but it can be substituted with a can of diced/crushed tomatoes. If the tomatoes are acidic, add some type of sweetener (I used brown sugar in this recipe).
Coconut oil – can be substituted with any neutral-tasting oil but coconut oil works best here.
Aromatics – white or yellow onion, fresh garlic, and fresh ginger.
Spices – ground turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili powder. For more of an Indian flavor, add half a teaspoon of garam masala that you can either make yourself or buy online.
Cilantro and lime to finish off the curry.

How to Make Shrimp Curry

A collage with 6 images on how to make coconut shrimp curry, from sauteing the aromatics to making the sauce, and cooking the shrimp.

Saute the aromatics and spices: Heat the coconut oil, saute the onion, garlic, and ginger then add the spices and cook for 30 seconds.
Form the sauce base: To the aromatics and spices, add the tomato sauce followed by the coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for a couple of minutes until you get a smooth homogenous sauce. Add sugar if using, and season with salt and pepper.
Add the shrimp: Drop the shrimp in the curry sauce, and cook for 2-3 minutes then remove from heat as soon as the shrimp is no longer opaque but not overcooked.
Finish off the curry! Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro leaves, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

What Else Can I Add To My Shrimp Curry?

Feel free to add some vegetables such as peas, sliced bell peppers, cauliflower florets, chickpeas, zucchini, or potato.

You can also change it up and swap the shrimp for chicken or fish.

What to Serve With

Serve with any type of rice. I like to serve coconut shrimp curry with fluffy basmati rice (make it in the Instant Pot) or jasmine rice, but Brown Rice works very well here too. If feeling adventurous, try it with Coconut Rice or Jeera Cumin Rice.

With homemade naan, I have a great Naan eecipe that you can try.

Over mashed potatoes, unusual but tastes great! Make Mashed Potatoes in in the Crockpot, or try my Boursin Mashed Potatoes.

With a Simple Side Salad, or French fries.

Storing Tips

Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until just warmed through, stir well before serving.
Freezer: To freeze, make sure that the curry has cooled down completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw and reheat: Thaw the curry in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave until just warmed through. Stir well before serving.

More Delicious Shrimp Recipes

Baked Oats