Coconut Curry Shrimp

Coconut curry shrimp features flavor-packed coconut curry with tender jumbo shrimp served over fluffy white rice. I love this easy-to-make entrée because it comes together in one skillet in just under 30 minutes! It’s one of my favorite summertime meals. The fusion of deep spices combined with shrimp, shallots, peppers, garlic, and coconut cream makes this dish so flavorful!

Recreating my favorite takeout dishes has been a fun hobby of mine for some time now. This coconut curry shrimp took quite a bit of experimenting, but I’m so happy with how it turned out. It’s rich, creamy, and chock full of spice!

Tips for Beginners

The quality of your curry powder will be very important in this dish. I used Morton & Basset and it worked well. I also recommend using a yellow curry powder instead of a red one if you have the option.
I recommend using Thai Kitchen for the coconut cream in this recipe. If you use another brand be sure that it is full-fat coconut cream.
If you’d like your curry thicker, dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of cold water, then add the slurry to your sauce. Let simmer for a minute or two until thickened.

Coconut Curry Shrimp Recipe

Tender shrimp in a creamy coconut curry makes a flavorful and easy meal!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 12

Total Time 17

Servings people

Calories 956kcal

Author Becky Hardin

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

12 ounces extra-large raw shrimp peeled and deveined, tail-on or off (1 bag)
3 tablespoons curry powder divided
2 tablespoons avocado oil
3 ounces shallots diced (about 2 medium shallots)
1 red bell pepper chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
13.5 ounces coconut cream (1 can)
Fresh minced parsley optional, for garnish
Lime wedges optional, for garnish
Steamed white rice optional, for serving

Instructions

Thaw the shrimp according to the package directions and then blot dry with a paper towel.

12 ounces extra-large raw shrimp
In a shallow bowl, toss together the shrimp and 1 tablespoon of the curry powder until the shrimp is coated. Cover and place in the refrigerator for now.

3 tablespoons curry powder
In a large skillet, heat up the avocado oil over medium-high heat.

2 tablespoons avocado oil
Once hot, add in the shallots, red bell pepper, and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the shallots begin to get translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

3 ounces shallots, 1 red bell pepper, 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Sprinkle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of curry powder and the salt and cook for an additional 1 minute or until the spices are very fragrant.

1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pour in the coconut cream and stir until completely combined.

13.5 ounces coconut cream
Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
Add in the shrimp and cook just for 2-4 minutes or until the shrimp is curled, no longer clear and the tails are pink.
Remove from the heat and serve over a bed of rice with some minced parsley and lime wedges, optional.

Fresh minced parsley, Lime wedges, Steamed white rice

Notes

You can substitute another size of raw shrimp, but be aware that the cooking time may vary. Increase the cooking time for larger shrimp and decrease it for smaller shrimp. You can also use shrimp with the tail removed if you prefer.
Cooked shrimp are an opaque white color with some pink and bright red accents and 120°F internally. More than likely if you aren’t sure, the shrimp is finished cooking.
Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Nutrition

How to Make Coconut Curry Shrimp Step-by-Step

Thaw the Shrimp: Thaw 12 ounces of extra-large raw shrimp according to the package directions and then blot dry with a paper towel.

overhead view of ingredients for coconut curry shrimp in individual bowls.

Season the Shrimp: In a shallow bowl, toss together the shrimp and 1 tablespoon of curry powder until the shrimp is coated. Cover and place in the refrigerator for now.

shrimp tossed with curry powder in a white bowl.

Sauté the Veggies: In a large skillet, heat up 2 tablespoons of avocado oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in 3 ounces of diced shallots, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the shallots begin to get translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

shallot, red pepper, and garlic in a skillet.

Season the Veggies: Sprinkle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of curry powder and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and cook for an additional 1 minute or until the spices are very fragrant.

curry powder added to sauteed vegetables in a skillet.

Add the Coconut Cream: Pour in 13.5 ounces (1 can) of coconut cream and stir until completely combined.

coconut milk added to sauteed vegetables in a skillet.

Simmer the Curry: Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.

Cook the Shrimp: Add in the shrimp and cook just for 2-4 minutes or until the shrimp is curled, no longer clear and the tails are pink.

shrimp added to coconut curry sauce in a skillet.

Serve with Rice: Remove from the heat and serve over a bed of rice with some minced parsley and lime wedges, optional.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover coconut curry shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet set over medium-low heat until warmed through.

Freeze shrimp in coconut curry in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

overhead view of coconut curry shrimp with rice and lime wedges in a white bowl.

Serving Suggestions

When I serve this coconut curry shrimp, I don’t want to waste a single drop of the delicious sauce! I usually soak it up with some steamed white rice. I also like to make some fresh naan to help scoop up anything the rice doesn’t catch!