Coconut Milk Shrimp

Saucy shrimp simmered in creamy coconut milk sauce with fresh garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and lime juice. It’s perfect over cooked rice and ready in only 30 minutes! 

Just like our popular Coconut Milk Chicken with Cilantro Lime, this recipe will leave you craving more.

this recipe

Coconut Milk Shrimp

Super easy, made all in one pan, and packs tons of flavor! This coconut milk shrimp is so delicious and quick to make, you could literally have this on your dinner table in no time at all. 

The shrimp are quickly marinated in honey, garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes and then simmered in creamy coconut milk that’s flavored with delicious aromatics such as shallots, scallions, and fresh lime juice.

This one-pan meal is creamy and rich with the best spicy-sweet coconut flavor.

What Goes with Coconut Shrimp?

Coconut milk shrimp serves amazing over Pineapple Rice or Cilantro Lime Coconut Rice. You can make it a complete meal with these side dishes:

• Creamy light Cucumber Salad 
• Try switching up the rice for Cauliflower Mash
• These Roasted Garlic Green Beans
• Something to dip into the sauce, such as Cheese Bread or naan bread

Ingredients for Coconut Milk Shrimp

Here’s what you’ll need to make coconut milk shrimp recipe:

• Shrimp: large, raw, deshelled, and deveined. If using frozen shrimp, thaw out completely and drain really well. Also, pat dry with a few sheets of paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Olive oil: or avocado oil for the marinade.
• Honey: to balance out the spiciness. Do not omit.
• Aromatics: garlic, fresh ginger, shallot, and scallions.
• Spices: red chili flakes and kosher salt.
• Butter: for cooking the shrimp and aromatics. Just a little needed to add tons of flavor.
• Coconut milk: unsweetened canned milk is what you want. For best results, use full-fat coconut milk.  See this post for more tips on buying coconut milk.
• Fish sauce: Another must ingredient. Fish sauce adds an earthy, savory flavor to the sauce. And the sauce does not taste fishy at all. 
• Lime zest and juice: use fresh lime juice for best results. 
• Cilantro: not a fan of cilantro? Try fresh basil instead.

How to Make Coconut Milk Shrimp Recipe

Cooking shrimp in coconut milk is really easy. All you need is time for the coconut milk to reduce. It thickens naturally so you don’t need any additional thickening agents. Make sure to use full-fat coconut milk and not coconut cream.

• Step 1: Marinate the shrimp – toss the shrimp with olive oil, honey, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and salt. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.

• Step 2: Cook the shrimp – melt butter over medium-high heat in a large non-stick skillet. Add shrimp with a pair of tongs to the hot skillet. Leave the liquid from shrimp inside the bowl.

Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side or until pink on the outside (shrimp will be raw on the inside). Remove immediately to a clean bowl.

Katya’s TIP: When cooking shrimp, make sure the pan is hot before adding the shrimp. You should hear a sizzle the second the shrimp touches the pan. Also, layer the shrimp in a single layer. You don’t want any shrimp overlapping. Cook in batches if need to.

• Step 3: Make the sauce – reduce the heat to medium and melt remaining butter in the skillet. Add shallots, white parts of scallions, and chili flakes. Cook for a few minutes until soft and fragrant.

Stir in coconut milk and fish sauce. Season with salt to taste. Simmer until reduced and thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

• Step 4: Stir in shrimp – stir in lime zest, juice, and shrimp. Simmer for few minutes until the shrimp is cooked through. Add green parts of scallions and cilantro.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover coconut lime shrimp will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat over medium-low heat on the stove-top, stirring frequently.

I do not recommend reheating in the microwave as it can reheat the shrimp unevenly, resulting in rubbery shrimp.

More Shrimp Recipes

• Creamy Corn Pasta with Shrimp
• Cilantro Basil Shrimp with Mango Salsa
• Spicy Coconut Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
• Shrimp Salad with Mango and Avocado

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