Jamaican Curry Shrimp
Jamaican Curry Shrimp delivers bold, tropical flavors from coconut milk, curry powder, garlic, and bell peppers. And, of course, we can’t forget the delectable, juicy shrimp. This mouthwatering stew is flavor-packed yet surprisingly straightforward to make.
I know this dish looks exotic and complex, which may scare off some folks, but honestly, it’s not any of those. Large, juicy shrimp simmered in a hearty sauce infused with garlic, thyme, ginger, and curry powder are pure yum!!!
Speaking of curry, if you haven’t made my awesome, easy curry powder, then you’re missing out. Storebought curry powder pales in comparison to homemade. So take a little time, try it, and tell me what you think.
The Secret to Jamaican Curry Shrimp
Besides the perfect curry powder, coconut milk gives this dish a unique flavor. Anyone who has tried Thai curry knows what I’m talking about. Plus, you can have this Jamaican curry shrimp on the table in about 30 minutes, including prep. Your family will be a bunch of happy campers.
How to Make Jamaican Curry Shrimp
- Saute onions, garlic, thyme, and curry powder for 2-3 minutes. Add the scotch bonnet pepper if using.
- The Base – Add tomato paste, bell pepper, green onions, coconut milk, and broth, and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 7-10 minutes, toss in the shrimp, and cook for 3-5 more minutes.
- Adjust for salt, pepper, and thickness. Serve with Jamaican peas and rice and vegetables.
Recipe Tips
- If shrimp is not your thing, you can make curry chicken with breast or thighs.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for the best shrimp curry. Or even better, make your own super fast.
- Curries and stews can burn quickly, so stir often and reduce the heat to low for a burn-free stew.
- For even more flavorful shrimp, saute them in butter, then add them to the stew at the end of the cooking time. Stir and serve.
Make-Ahead and Leftovers
Overcooking shrimp is easy, so I follow the recipe until it goes in. Let the stew cool and store it in the fridge until the next day. Add the shrimp while the stew is reheating and simmer until it’s done. Enjoy a fast and easy meal.
You can store leftover Jamaican curry shrimp in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for three months. Gently reheat in a saucepan on low just until it starts simmering.
FAQs
While it has some of the same ingredients, they are different. Turmeric gives this Jamaican all-purpose seasoning its distinctive yellowness. The most significant difference is that Jamaicans toast their spices, releasing more deliciousness and adding a pleasant toasted flavor.
Depending on the size and cooking method, they usually take 4-6 minutes. I’d start checking around 3 minutes if using smaller shrimp.
You absolutely can. Add a minute or two to the cooking time, and you’re good to go.
Perfect Pairings for Jamaican Curry Shrimp
This recipe is excellent with Jamaican pigeon peas and rice or rice and beans. Simple coconut rice turns this into tropical goodness. Vegetables on the side, like broccoli, side salad, or whatever vegetable suits your mood.
More Incredible Shrimp Recipes
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was first published in May 2016 and has been updated with new tips, fresh photos, and a video
Jamaican Curry Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (28ml) olive oil or canola oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (1g) fresh thyme, minced
- ½-1 tablespoon (3-6g) Jamaican curry powder
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, optional
- 1 tablespoon (15g) tomato paste
- ½ red or green bell pepper, diced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 cup (240ml) broth, or more (I used chicken broth, but vegetable and seafood work)
- 1-1½ pounds (450-680g) extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven.
- Add onions, garlic, thyme, and curry powder, and sauté for 2-3 minutes. If using scotch bonnet pepper, add it at this time.
- Add tomato paste, bell pepper, and green onions, followed by coconut milk and broth. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for 7-10 minutes. Toss in the shrimp. Cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- Adjust for salt, pepper, and thickness.
Tips & Notes:
- Use whole-fat coconut milk for the best shrimp curry. Or even better, make your own super fast.
- Curries and stews can burn quickly, so stir often and turn the heat down to low for a burn-free stew.
- For an even more flavorful Jamaican curry shrimp, you can saute your shrimp in butter until cooked through, then add them to the stew at the end of the cooking time. Just stir them into the stew and serve.
- I use chicken broth in this recipe. Or you can easily make your own shrimp broth. Combine shrimp shells with some chopped celery and garlic in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30-45 minutes or until the water is reduced by half: strain and use.
- You can use habanero pepper instead of scotch bonnet pepper or add a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) if you want some heat. If not, leave it out completely.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
I used Chicken broth .
Hello, Kelly! It’s unsweetened.
Yes you sure can.
Hello! I don’t like coconut milk, so can I use greek yogurt instead of just skip that coconut milk totally?
Hello! Either works just fine. Greek yogurt would add some volume and thickness to it.
I used chicken instead of shrimp and it taste delicious.
Use chicken stock or You can easily make your own shrimp broth . Combine shrimp shells, with some chopped celery, and garlic, in a sauce pan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 30-45 minutes or until the water is reduced in half . Strain and use .
Wow this is beautiful! Thank you! I love your site!!
You can use habanero pepper instead or try adding about 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) , if you want some heat . If not leave it out completely. Enjoy!
Wow! This is wonderful! Served it over cauliflower rice for a healthy twist. It might be the best curry strip I have ever tasted.
Awesome! Thank you for the feedback, Dave. So glad you loved it!!
Sorry. I was so excited. I resent message with corrections cause I didn’t see it. Loved it
I made this for my New Years Celebration. It was a hit. Didn’t change anything. It was so good, my Mom asked me to make it for her Birthday. Im going to make it for her this Sunday. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, what a tasty way of ringing in the New Year :)! I am so glad this was a hit with your family. Do wish your mum a Happy Birthday for me :)!!
This a perfect recipe! I would change nothing about it. Feels like I’m in Jamaica! Served with rice and peas and callaloo.
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time out to let me know.
This recipe tastes AMAZING! You can truly taste the coconut milk in it as well. I used chicken broth and added swai fish and potatoes to the shrimp. Thank you for this!
Great! Thanks for the feedback.
I am getting ready to make this and my store didn’t have the scotch bonnet peppers? Do you think I could add fresh chopped jalapeño?
Thank you!
Yes you can.
I dont think this is a Jamaican dish its an East Indian. But it looks very good regardless.
Pat this is definitely a common dish served in Jamaica. It may be East Indian influenced since a lot of East Indian descendants reside there.
I believe Pat is referencing the use of coconut milk, tomato paste and broth in the dish. Jamaican Curried Shrimp does not add this typically.
I have been making this recipe for several years now, so it is only fair that I review it. This. Is. Amazing. I’ve made it for work lunches. I’ve made it for dates. I’ve made it for potlucks. I’ve used chicken, potatoes, and (my favorite) shrimp. I’m a wuss when it comes to spice so I just throw in 2-3 whole habaneros and pull them out when it is done cooking. This recipe is absolutely fabulous and one of my favorites to make!!!
doubled the recipe. my wife said it tasted better than the restaurant. how do you thicken your sauce?
Corn starch can be used to thicken sauces.
Hello Deniz.
Yes, Scotch Bonnet is a little on the hot side, but it also lends a nice flavor to the dish. You could leave it out completely though, your food will still taste delicious!
I prepared this dish today and it so scrumptious and delicious kept going back for seconds..very easy to follow the receipe too.. Thank so much for sharing .. Awesome..P..xx
I just prepared this dish today and was so scrumptious and delicious. I didn’t have any coconut milk so used my coconut cream and it gave that extra creamy flavour awsome..thank you for sharing..bless..Prims..x
I dont think this is a Jamaican dish its an East Indian.
This was soooooo good!! Thank you so much Imma! The directions were clear and easy to follow.