Madhur Jaffrey’s Goan Shrimp Curry
Updated Sept. 2, 2025

- Total Time
- 20 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 10 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 2tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2medium shallots, finely chopped
- 2teaspoons hot paprika or Kashmiri red chile powder
- ½teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼teaspoon ground cayenne, or more if preferred
- 1¼cups coconut milk (from a 13-ounce can)
- 1½pounds large or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt
- 2teaspoons lemon juice
- Steamed basmati or jasmine rice, for serving
- Cilantro sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
- Step 1
Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium-high. When oil is wavy, add shallots and fry until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in paprika, turmeric, pepper and cayenne. Stir spices to make a paste.
- Step 2
Return pan to medium-high heat and add the (well-shaken) coconut milk. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring well.
- Step 3
Add shrimp, season well with salt, and stir to coat. Add lemon juice and turn heat to low. Cook, stirring until shrimp are pink and opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately with steamed basmati or jasmine rice and cilantro (if using).
Private Notes
Comments
We make a similar sauce and freeze it in small ziploc bags. Then cook any protein and/or veggies in the instant pot and then add the sauce. Simmer for a few minutes and the meal is ready.
@LTF I am from goa and we make this dish almost everyday. I like your shortcut but you need to cook the frag shrimp in the coconut sauce to infuse the whole dish with it. Same with fish. This isn’t a recipe for meat or vegetables for which there are others.
@LTF What a brilliant idea!
Easy, fast, and delicious! We added chopped spinach to add a bit of greens. 🥬 thanks for the recipe AND the comments!
Maybe I made it wrong but it was super plain.
Absolutely fabulous, and ridiculously easy. You can usually count on five star NYT reviews and you can count on this one. Made exactly half for two, following the recipe precisely. It is delicious. Making half was a mistake: should’ve made the whole thing for leftovers!
