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Home » Recipe Index » Entrees

Shrimp Curry

Published: May 20, 2021 · Modified: Mar 24, 2024 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

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Shrimp curry being stirred in a large stainless steel skillet.

We absolutely love Caribbean cuisine and this dish is about as classic as they come.

To make this dish truly authentic, we use homemade Jamaican Curry Powder.  It’s easy to make and all the spices can be found in gourmet markets or easily ordered online (links below).  The shrimp is tender and simmers gently in the coconut milk and curry vegetables.  And it comes together in less than 30 minutes!  

VIDEO ALERT: Be sure to check out the video for this recipe in the recipe card.  If you like the video, subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

A large stainless steel skillet filled with shrimp curry in a sauce with a wooden spoon insert into the middle of it.

How To Make Shrimp Curry

As mentioned, once you have all the ingredients in place, this dish comes together very quickly.

It’s amazing served over pasta or over perfectly steamed rice.

The depth of flavor in this dish is nothing short of amazing!

There are differences between East Indian Curry Powder and Jamaican Curry. Jamaican has less heat but has gorgeous notes of all-spice and turmeric throughout. Learn more about the difference between these two iconic spices here.

If you just don’t want to make the curry powder at home (even though you really should!), you can order it online. NOTE: Most purchased curry powders contain salt. Homemade does not. Taste and season accordingly.

EXPERT TIP: Although the taste won’t be exact, you can substitute Madras curry powder for Jamaican. Madras has more heat, so you might want to cut back on the fresh hot pepper in the dish. To make it closer to Jamaican, add 1 teaspoon of ground allspice with the 1 tablespoon of the curry powder.

Melt the butter, and then add the curry powder and get ready to awaken your senses!

A large stainless steel skillet with melted butter and curry powder in the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon in the middle of it.

The Ingredients You Will Need

In addition to the curry powder, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Chopped onion and green bell pepper – Finely chopped
  • Garlic – Minced
  • A hot pepper – Scotch bonnet is traditional, but habanero or jalapeno work well, too. Remove the seeds and ribs and chop very finely. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling!
  • Tomato paste
  • Unsweetened coconut milk – Often found in the Asian section of your food market
  • Seafood stock – Can also use chicken stock/broth
  • Shrimp – Extra large is nice – peeled and deveined with tails on or off, your choice
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cornstarch slurry – If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce

Simmer the veggies, garlic, and pepper in the curry butter until just getting soft, only a few minutes.

Chopped green bell peppers and onions being sautéd in a skillet of butter and curry powder.

A little tomato paste adds a slight tomato base and a beautiful pinkish hue to the sauce.

Equal parts of the coconut milk and seafood stock round out the sauce.

EXPERT TIP: When you open a can of unsweetened coconut milk, you will notice it is thick in texture. This is normal as coconut milk and coconut oil harden once cool. Use a butter knife to gently plunge into the can and stir. There will be liquid underneath the upper hardened portion. Continue stirring until it’s all mixed and an even liquid (thick) consistency.

A skillet filled with a Jamaican curry sauce being stirred by a wooden spoon.

Tips for Perfect Shrimp Curry

Simmer – Before adding in the shrimp, allow the sauce to simmer on low for about 10 minutes. This will allow the curry and vegetables to infuse deeper flavor into the sauce.
Choosing the Best Shrimp – We love extra-large shrimp for our curry shrimp recipe. We peel, devein, and leave the tails on for a beautiful presentation, but you can also remove the tails, too.
Spice Level – As mentioned, Jamaican curry powder doesn’t carry a lot of heat. The hot pepper added in with the vegetables will add moderate heat, but not intense at all. If you prefer less heat, go with a small dash of red pepper flakes instead of the pepper, if you prefer more heat, double the peppers, and if desired, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

A large steel skillet filled with a Jamaican curry sauce with a pile of uncooked shrimp in the middle of it, being stirred by a wooden spoon.

There is something truly magical about this dish.

It warms you to the bone, but not in a ‘burn your mouth’ way at all.

This dish takes us back to the beautiful Islands of the West Indies in the Caribbean every single time.

Shrimp curry being stirred in a large stainless steel skillet.

How To Serve and Store Leftovers

This dish is wonderful served over steamed rice or cooked pasta.

In the unlikely event that you have any of the dish left, we mix the sauce with the extra rice and then place in an air-tight container and place in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also store the shrimp/sauce mixture separate from the rice, if you prefer.

EXPERT TIP: Because this coconut curry shrimp recipe comes together so quickly, we highly recommend making the rice, or the pasta, just before you get started. Keep the lid on the pan of rice, which will keep it warm. Or, start your pasta at the same time you’re starting the curry shrimp. It should all time out perfectly.

A circular white dinner bowl filled with shrimp curry on top of steamed white rice.

We love all things curry, including our Curry Chicken, and this dish ranks right up there at the top as one of our favorites.

Be sure to not overcook the shrimp, otherwise, they’ll be tough and rubbery. We love to serve this with another Caribbean mainstay, homemade Johnny Cakes!

This is one bite you’ll be wanting to re-create time and time again.

A fork holding up a shrimp that has been cooked in a Jamaican curry sauce.

Ready to make the best Caribbean dish this side of Jamaica, St. Maartin, St. Croix, or anywhere else in that gorgeous clear blue water? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!

A circular white dinner bowl filled with shrimp curry on top of steamed white rice.

Shrimp Curry

Shrimp Curry is a Caribbean classic dish that is so deep in flavor it is just transcendent. Get yourself the spices needed to make the Jamaican curry powder from scratch, and you won't believe how good this dish is!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Making the Jamaica Curry Powder: 8 minutes minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 264kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Equipment

  • Large skillet/saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon Jamaican curry powder click link for recipe
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper seeded, cored, and finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 scotch bonnet or any hot pepper, seeded, and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ⅔ cup coconut milk unsweetened, stirred
  • ⅔ cup seafood stock or chicken
  • 1 lb shrimp extra-large, peeled and deveined
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt See NOTES
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • corn starch slurry optional, see NOTES

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the curry powder, stir to incorporate, and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and hot pepper, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Stir in the tomato paste. Add the coconut milk, stock, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the shrimp and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until pink and cooked through (don't overcook).
  • Taste and add more salt, if desired.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, make a slurry by mixing together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and enough cool water to just create a slurry, usually 1 teaspoon of water. Add a little of the slurry into the sauce and it will thicken slightly. Add more to reach your desired consistency.
  • Serve at once over steamed rice or cooked pasta.

Notes

If using purchased Jamaican curry powder, or even any other kind of curry powder, check the label, some varieties contain salt.   Homemade curry powder will have no salt.  So season carefully.  Taste before adding more salt.
You can substitute Madras curry powder for the Jamaican.  Madras carries more heat than Jamaican, so you may want to consider omitting the hot pepper.  Also, the addition of 1 teaspoon of ground allspice will make it taste closer to Jamaican-style.
Shrimp curry is traditionally not a really thick sauce, however, if you prefer it a bit thicker, then add the cornstarch slurry.  Add a little at a time, as it will thicken the sauce quickly. 
Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.  It will freeze for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 301mg | Sodium: 1340mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 318IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 197mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

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Comments

  1. Beatrice says

    June 18, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    Hi! I just finished eating this, it was FABULOUS!!! I made the homemade Jamaican curry earlier this week. It was very easy and worth the little effort. I will be making this dish again and again.
    Any beverage suggestions to accompany this wonderful dish?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 20, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      Hi Beatrice! We are THRILLED you love the shrimp curry! We love it, too!! A chilly beverage, such as chilled white wine, or a Caribbean beer, or even cold iced tea would be great! Something to counter the touch of heat from the curry!! YUM!!!

      Reply
  2. Caroline says

    June 12, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    Just scrumptious! I didn’t make the Jamaican curry spice unfortunately but everything else I followed the recipe. I did do the cornstarch slurry just for a little more body. I will make again!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 14, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Caroline!! That’s so awesome!! We’ve made it with regular curry powder, too, and absolutely loved it, as well. So so thrilled you had such great success with the recipe and thank you SO MUCH for letting us know and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
5 from 1 vote

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