Zesty Coconut Prawn Curry Recipe: A Tropical Delight

Fragrant spices and succulent prawns dance together in this tantalizing coconut prawn curry that promises a flavor explosion.

Creamy coconut milk weaves its magic through tender shrimp, creating a dish that transports you straight to coastal kitchens.

The rich, aromatic blend of spices infuses each bite with warmth and depth.

Aromatic herbs and carefully selected ingredients elevate this curry from ordinary to extraordinary.

Mastering this recipe means unlocking a world of vibrant Southeast Asian cuisine right in your kitchen.

The combination of fresh prawns and luscious coconut sauce guarantees a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to impress with this simple yet spectacular culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Coconut Prawn Curry

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the cooking medium with a neutral flavor, helping to distribute heat evenly.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent, earthy base note that deepens the overall flavor profile of the curry.
• Ginger: Brings a spicy, warming undertone that complements the seafood and creates complexity.
• Curry Leaves: Imparts a distinctive, slightly nutty aroma that's quintessential in South Indian cooking.

• Green Chilies: Introduces fresh, sharp heat that brightens the entire dish.
• Dried Red Chili: Contributes a smoky, intense spiciness and depth to the sauce.
• Turmeric: Offers a warm, golden color and earthy undertones with potential health benefits.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all the other flavors in the curry.

• Chopped Tomatoes: Provides natural sweetness and acidity to balance the rich coconut milk.
• Tomato Puree: Creates a smooth, concentrated tomato base that thickens the sauce.
• Coconut Milk: Delivers a creamy, rich texture and subtle sweetness that's characteristic of coastal curries.
• Prawns: Adds tender, succulent protein that absorbs the vibrant spices and aromatics.
• Fresh Coriander: Brings a bright, fresh finish with its distinctive herbal notes.

Tools for Cooking Coconut Prawn Curry with Ease

• Large Skillet or Wok: Essential for sautéing ingredients and creating the curry base.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic, ginger, green chilies, tomatoes, and coriander.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precise chopping of ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing curry while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding accurate amounts of salt and spices.
• Measuring Cup: Useful for measuring coconut milk precisely.

How to Make Coconut Prawn Curry Step-by-Step

• Aromatic Base

Begin by warming oil in a wide cooking pan, creating a fragrant foundation with minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and vibrant curry leaves. Let these ingredients dance and release their rich essence for a couple of minutes.

• Spice Symphony

Introduce green chilies, turmeric, ripe chopped tomatoes, and a sprinkle of dried red chili. This colorful medley will awaken your senses and build layers of complex flavor.

• Creamy Infusion

Pour in smooth tomato puree and a pinch of salt, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop depth. Gently blend in luxurious coconut milk, transforming the sauce into a silky, creamy delight.

• Seafood Magic

Carefully add plump, succulent prawns to the bubbling curry. Watch them turn a beautiful soft pink as they cook, absorbing all the incredible spices and becoming tender within 3-4 minutes.

• Final Flourish

Remove the pan from heat and generously scatter fresh, bright green coriander across the surface. This final touch adds a burst of freshness and visual appeal.

• Serving Suggestion

Ladle this tantalizing curry over steamed rice or enjoy it independently as a standalone culinary experience that promises to transport your taste buds.

Ways to Elevate Coconut Prawn Curry Flavor

• Customize the curry's spiciness by reducing or increasing green chilies and dried red chili to match your personal heat tolerance.
• Replace prawns with chicken, fish, or tofu for a versatile curry that suits different dietary preferences and protein needs.
• Enhance flavor complexity by using freshly grated coconut or adding a squeeze of lime juice just before serving to brighten the overall taste profile.
• Marinate prawns in turmeric and salt for 15 minutes before cooking to infuse deeper flavor and ensure more tender seafood texture.
• Refrigerate leftover curry in an airtight container for up to 2 days, gently reheating on low heat to prevent prawns from becoming tough or rubbery.

Presenting and Serving Coconut Prawn Curry

• Pair with Fluffy Basmati Rice: Spoon the creamy, aromatic curry over steaming basmati rice to soak up all the delicious sauce and enhance the prawn's delicate flavor.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped coriander and a few thin green chili slices on top to add a burst of color and fresh, zesty notes to the dish.
• Create a Tropical Side Platter: Serve alongside a simple cucumber and red onion salad with a squeeze of lime juice to balance the curry's rich and spicy profile, providing a cool, refreshing contrast.
• Offer Crispy Naan Bread: Warm some soft naan bread to allow diners to scoop up the curry and catch every last drop of the fragrant coconut sauce.

Storage Tips for Leftover Coconut Prawn Curry

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover curry in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled curry to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Seal tightly and store for 1-2 months for best quality.
• Reheat Carefully: Thaw frozen curry overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent seafood from becoming tough. Add a splash of water or coconut milk if the sauce seems dry.
• Seafood Safety: Always check prawns for freshness before storing. Discard if they develop an unusual odor or slimy texture. Keep raw and cooked prawns separate to prevent cross-contamination.

Tropical Coconut Prawn Curry Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade coconut prawn curry brings tropical Indian flavors to your kitchen with creamy coconut milk and succulent shrimp. Spices blend seamlessly, creating a rich, aromatic dish you can easily prepare and savor with steamed rice.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lb (680 g) prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• ¼ cup tomato puree
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 4 curry leaves
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 dried red chili, chopped
• 2 tbsps fresh chopped coriander
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat oil in a large skillet, then quickly infuse with garlic, ginger, and curry leaves, releasing their aromatic profile for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Spice Integration: Fold in green chilies, turmeric, tomatoes, and dried red chili, stirring continuously to create a robust flavor foundation without scorching the ingredients.
3. Sauce Development: Introduce tomato puree and sea salt, allowing the mixture to simmer and concentrate its complex flavor profile for 2-3 minutes.
4. Liquid Fusion: Stream coconut milk into the spice mixture, creating a silky, rich sauce that will envelop and complement the seafood’s delicate texture.
5. Protein Cooking: Gently nestle prawns into the simmering curry, cooking until they transition from translucent to soft pink, ensuring tender and perfectly cooked seafood.
6. Finishing Touch: Remove from heat and generously scatter fresh coriander leaves, adding a vibrant, herbaceous dimension to the dish.
7. Serving: Present the fragrant coconut prawn curry immediately, paired with steamed basmati rice or enjoyed as a standalone culinary experience.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Prawns: Select plump, firm prawns with a sweet ocean scent, avoiding any fishy or ammonia-like odors to ensure top-quality seafood flavor.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust green chilies and dried red chili quantities to match personal heat tolerance, tasting and modifying during cooking for perfect spiciness.
• Prevent Overcooking Seafood: Monitor prawns closely, removing them from heat precisely when they turn pink to maintain tender, juicy texture and prevent rubbery consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to release more intense aromatics, elevating the curry’s complex and rich taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg