Prawn curry is a rich and aromatic dish that brings together the delicate sweetness of prawns with a mix of bold, spicy flavors. Whether you’re looking to make a comforting weeknight dinner or a special meal to impress guests, prawn curry is both simple to prepare and incredibly satisfying. The combination of spices, coconut milk, and tender prawns creates a dish that’s both comforting and exciting to the taste buds.
To start, heat some oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté them until they become soft and translucent. This will be the base for your curry’s rich flavor. Once the onions are ready, add minced garlic, ginger, and a combination of spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, and chili powder. These spices will create the deep, aromatic flavor profile that defines a great prawn curry.
Next, add chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook them until they soften and break down. This creates a flavorful sauce base for the curry. If you like a smoother sauce, you can blend the tomatoes before adding them to the pan. Then, pour in a can of coconut milk, which gives the curry a creamy texture and balances the heat of the spices.
Let the curry simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little water or vegetable broth, depending on how thick or thin you prefer your sauce. Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if you need to balance the flavors.
Once the sauce is ready, add the prawns to the pan. Cook them for 3-5 minutes, or until they turn pink and are fully cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the prawns, as they can become rubbery.
Garnish the curry with freshly chopped cilantro and serve it with steamed rice or naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime for a burst of acidity to balance the richness of the curry.
Prawn curry is a wonderful dish that combines spice, creaminess, and the natural sweetness of seafood. It’s perfect for anyone craving a hearty, flavorful meal that’s still light and fresh. Whether you’re a fan of Indian curries or looking for something new, this prawn curry will undoubtedly become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients
- 500 grams Prawns Cleaned and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 Onion Finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Ginger-garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons Coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Red chili powder Adjust to taste
- 2 cups Tomato puree
- 1 cup Coconut milk
- to taste Salt
- 1 handful Coriander leaves Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a couple of minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Stir in the coriander powder, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Cook for another minute.
- Add the tomato puree and cook until the oil begins to separate from the sauce.
- Pour in the coconut milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the prawns and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
- Season with salt to taste and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with rice or naan.
Absolutely loved this recipe! The prawns were perfectly tender and the flavors were rich. Will definitely make it again!
I dunno, my curry turned out too watery. Did I do something wrong? It tasted fine, but I expected something thicker.
I’m not sure but I usually put in some flour or cornstarch to thicken things up if they’re too watery.
If it was watery, maybe you added too much tomato puree or didn’t let it simmer long enough? That coconut milk should help thicken it up.
What is coconut milk? Can I use regular milk instead? I want to try this but not sure if it’s okay to substitute.
I made it for a dinner party, and it was a hit! Everyone asked for the recipe. Will definitely make again!
It was too spicy for me. I added only half the chili powder and it was still fiery! 😅
I totally get you! I find chili powder can really pack a punch. I usually just skip it altogether.
Too spicy? How can it be too spicy?! I love a good kick in my curry! Maybe try ginger next time?
Yum! The prawns turned out perfectly. I served it with rice and my family loved it!
Ugh, I tried and it was a disaster. Wrong temp or something, idk.
I think maybe you put the temp too high. Prawns need a low heat! Or maybe your stove is weird?
Sounds like you might have rushed it? It’s really important to get the temp just right with prawns. They cook fast!
Yum! Tasted just like the one I had in India. Super tasty!
I didn’t have coconut milk, used heavy cream instead. Still turned out decent, but not the same.
Using heavy cream is a bold choice! I’ve done that too, and it can still taste good. Glad it worked for you!
Heavy cream? Not sure if that would work. I thought coconut milk is what makes it a curry. 🤔
Did anyone else find the cooking time way off? My prawns were overcooked!
Nah, I followed the time exactly and mine were fine. Did you maybe cook them too long? 🤔
I think the cooking time can vary depending on the size of the prawns. Maybe smaller ones cook faster! Just be careful next time.
This was so easy! I feel like a chef now! My family loved it! Thanks!
This was okay, but my prawns got overcooked and chewy. Might try it again and watch the cooking time more closely.
I had the same issue with the prawns the first time! Just keep an eye on them. They cook pretty fast. Good luck next time!
Okay, so I thought this could be better. My mom’s prawn curry is way better… Just sayin’!
Everybody’s got their own taste! Maybe your mom adds a special ingredient? I’ll have to try her version! 😊
Easy and delicious! I used frozen prawns and it still tasted great.
My prawns were overcooked. I guess I left them too long. Be careful with the timing!
Idk, but I think it should have more spice. And why coconut milk? Isn’t that for desserts?
I don’t think coconut milk belongs in curry. Just leave it out, it’ll taste better.
So good! I’ve made this like 5 times already! Can’t get enough of it!
I’m glad you love it! It’s such a delicious recipe. Perfect for dinner parties too!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The prawns turned out so juicy and full of flavor. Definitely a keeper!
Good recipe but way too many ingredients. Can I skip the turmeric? 🤔
You can definitely skip the turmeric! It adds color but it’s not absolutely necessary. Your curry will still taste great! 😊
I dunno. Turmeric is kinda important for the flavor and the health stuff, isn’t it? Just try it with it and see! 🤷♂️
Omg, this is the best thing I’ve cooked! So delicious!! 😍
That sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to try prawn curry, but it seemed so complicated. You’ve inspired me! 😊
Really? Best thing ever? I’ve had curry that was better, just sayin’. Got a secret ingredient or something? 🤔
Prawns!? What about shrimp?
I don’t know… Maybe I did something wrong, but mine turned out way too spicy. I used the same amounts, but it was burning my mouth. 🤨 2 stars.
Maybe you just added too much red chili powder? It can be really spicy if you don’t adjust it! Try again, I’m sure you’ll get it right! 😊
I don’t know, seemed a bit too spicy for my taste. Maybe less chili next time.
Spicy is good! Maybe just get used to it? It’s a curry after all!
I don’t like coconut milk in my curry… it taste weird. I added yogurt instead, it was so much better!
But… isn’t coconut milk essential for curry? I think you’re missing out on the real flavor. 😕
I totally get that! Coconut milk can be really strong. Yogurt is a great substitute. Gives it a nice tang!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The flavors were amazing. Will definitely make it again!
This prawn curry is amazing! So flavorful. I added a pinch of cinnamon for extra kick!
Prawns tasted weird. Did I cook them too long? 😕
Yeah, you might’ve overcooked them. Prawns can turn rubbery real fast! 🦐
Recipe says to cook until oil separates! But I never seen no oil separating. How’s that work?
Tasty! My whole family loved it, thanks for sharing! 😀
Easy recipe but kinda bland for my taste. I added more chili and some lemon juice but still was missing something.
I totally get what you mean! I found it a bit underwhelming too at first. Maybe a dash of fish sauce or some tamarind paste next time? It adds a kick!
Hmm, I didn’t like it much. The prawns were overcooked and the sauce seemed too thick.
Could be better if there was mention of deveining prawns (unless everyone already knows). Also my turmeric clumped a little because I didn’t bloom the spices long enough.
I didn’t devein mine and it was still fine honestly 😅. As for the turmeric… mine clumped too until I just mixed it with the tomato puree first. Maybe that’s the fix?
Yeah, I agree about deveining—some folks don’t realize it matters. The spice clumping tip is spot on too; blooming helps a lot.
Honestly this is 10/10. I used frozen prawns and they still worked fine. I let the curry simmer before adding them, then cooked just until done.
This is easy, but I used 1 tsp chili instead of “to taste” and wished I’d gone hotter. Also next time I’ll devein more carefully—one bite had a little grit.
I was skeptical about using coconut milk. Didn’t like the taste at all. Disappointed!
Sorry to hear you didn’t like it! Coconut milk can be hit or miss. Maybe try using cream next time? It might be better for your taste.
What? Coconut milk is awesome in curries! It gives it a nice flavor. You must’ve used a bad brand! Try again!
Made this tonight—so comforting! The coconut milk really rounds out the chili, and the prawns stayed juicy. I served it with rice and it tasted like a proper restaurant curry.
Yes!! I love when coconut milk “rounds” out chili—makes it taste so balanced. Glad the prawns stayed juicy. 🙌
This sounds good, but I’m confused about the tomato puree step—did you use fresh tomatoes or canned? Also 5-7 min for prawns seems a bit long if they’re small…
Absolutely delicious! The flavors blended so well together. My family loved it!
Pretty good base recipe. I followed it mostly, but my sauce didn’t separate from the oil after step 4, so I simmered longer. Still turned out tasty though, just thicker than expected.
Glad it still came out tasty! When the oil doesn’t separate, it usually just means the tomato masala needs a bit more reduction, so simmering longer makes sense. Thicker curry is honestly not a bad thing—more clingy to the prawns.
Interesting—my sauce separates fast, like within a few minutes on step 4. Maybe your tomato purée was thicker or had less water. Also 10 minutes simmer might not be enough depending on heat. Next time try lower heat longer so it doesn’t burn.
Soooo good. I added a splash of lime at the end and it made it pop. Also, don’t overcook the prawns—5-7 min is the sweet spot.
Yesss! Lime at the end is such a game changer—will definitely try that. And thank you for the prawn timing tip too. 🙌
Good recipe! But I think it’s better with more chili powder. My family likes it spicy! 🌶️
why “tomato puree 2 cups” feels like too much? i think mine got watery, maybe because i used canned crushed tomatoes. still tasted good but texture was weird for me.
I don’t like coconut milk, so I subbed with cream. It turned out alright, but I think I made a mistake. 😬
Cream sounds like a decent swap, but it’s gonna change the flavor! Maybe try coconut milk next time? 😅
I think you did fine! Cream is richer, but it could be good too! Everyone has their taste, right? 👌
Too many steps, I prefer simpler recipes. 😩
This prawn curry recipe is absolutely delicious! I can’t get enough of it. 🤤
My family loved it, especially with naan. I used less chili powder because I’m weak 😅. Also, chopping the onion small helped it melt into the sauce.
5 stars!!! Will make it again for sure!! Yummy curry, me hungry just thinking about it.
Yum!
Yum indeed! The coconut milk + chili combo sounds perfect for prawn curry—gotta try this with naan.
Prawns in curry? Never thought of that! Sounds weird. Some people are mighty strange. But hey, good for them… 3 stars.
Curry and prawns? Sounds like a weird combo to me too. But I guess people eat all sorts of stuff these days. Not for me.
I think prawns in curry is actually quite delicious! The coconut milk makes it creamy. Give it a try, you might like it!
It was okay… a bit heavy on the tomato for my liking. I might use less tomato puree and more coconut milk next time. Still edible though.
Totally get that—tomato can overpower it fast. I like it by cutting the puree down a bit and letting the coconut milk do more of the work. Glad it was still edible!
Not gonna lie, I expected it to be bland. But the coriander + turmeric combo is solid. I did add extra salt and a little sugar to balance—worked great.
The ginger-garlic paste step smelled amazing, but I think I overcooked the prawns—mine got a bit tough. Next time I’ll pull them as soon as they turn pink.
I’m not sure about the ginger-garlic paste measurement—mine smelled raw at first. After cooking a bit longer it improved. Once the spices bloomed, it tasted much better.
Nice and straightforward. One thing: 1 cup coconut milk felt like a lot (in a good way) but it made it creamy-er than I expected. Would definitely do again.
This prawn curry is absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing, just like my grandma’s recipe.
I totally agree! My family used to make prawn curry like this too. Brings back such good memories!
Sounds good, but my wife says prawns are dangerous. I dunno, I just stick with chicken.
Yum yum! I added some green peas for more color. Will make again!
Green peas? That’s interesting! I never thought of that, gotta try it next time.
Prawn curry = heaven! Can’t get enough of it! 🌟
Not sure if coconut milk works well with prawns. Kinda threw me off. 🤔
Why is everyone raving about this? It’s just prawns and some spices. I’ve had better at a restaurant.
Why would you use coconut milk? It don’t go with prawns. I stick to cream or broth.
Looks good but I can’t eat shrimp. Can I substitute with chicken?
Can I use frozen prawns? I always have that on hand, and this sounds yummy!
I tried making this, but my prawns turned out rubbery. What did I do wrong? Anyone have tips?
Mmm! So good and easy! I love cooking with prawns. This is a keeper!
Looks good but my prawn curry never turns out as good as yours. Any tips?
Absolutely love prawns too! This recipe is so yum, I made it twice already.
I tried making this but it came out kinda bland. Maybe I added too much coconut milk? 🤔
Prawns gotta be cooked a bit longer! They were a lil chewy. Stick to the times given!
Love how easy this recipe is! I added some veggies in, like bell peppers, and it was still great. Will make again for sure! 🥳 4 stars.
Made this curry for the first time, so simple! But I run out of prawns! Can I use chicken instead? 🤔 3 stars.
So good! The spices really blend well, I used more chili powder tho. Spicyyyyy🔥!
I tried it too, but I thought it was a bit too spicy! Maybe I should’ve followed your lead and added more chili powder! 😅
Yuck! Never making this again. Just tasted like spicy tomato soup to me.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too spicy for my kids. Gotta adjust that chili powder next time!
I totally understand! We had the same issue. I think kids are more sensitive to spicy flavors. Maybe try using less chili powder or… even a pinch of sugar? That could balance it a bit!
Made this last night—so flavorful! The coconut milk really rounds out the spice, and the prawns came out tender (not rubbery). I added a squeeze of lime at the end and it was perfect.
Too spicy for me! The chili powder was overwhelming. I’ll tone it down next time.
Delicious! I added some veggies like bell peppers, and it was a hit! Thanks for this recipe!
Sounds amazing! I love adding veggies to recipes, it makes them healthier. What other veggies did you use?
I don’t know about adding bell peppers… kinda ruins the flavor of the prawns, doesn’t it? But hey, whatever floats your boat.
This prawn curry is absolutely delicious! The flavors meld so well together. I made it last night, and my whole family enjoyed it! 5 stars!
I’m skeptical about 10 minutes simmering only—prawns usually cook fast, but the sauce needs depth. I ended up cooking the tomato-coconut mixture about 20 minutes and it improved a lot.
Totally agree—10 minutes feels way too short for the tomato to lose that raw taste. Glad you simmered longer and it worked out!
I tried it as written once and the curry tasted kinda flat. My prawns were fine, but the sauce didn’t have that deep, rounded flavor. 20 minutes sounds right.
Does anyone know what to serve with this? I just had plain rice and it was fine but bored!
Easy to follow. My little kids even enjoyed it! Just went easy on the chili. Thanks for sharing!
Did I miss something? Mine didn’t look like yours. What did I do wrong?
This was delicious! The prawns were cooked perfectly, and the coconut milk added a lovely creaminess. Will be making again!
This prawn curry was amazing! So flavorful and easy to make. My family loved it!
Coconut curry is my weakness and this delivered. I even used frozen prawns and they cooked through in time. Garnish with coriander is a must!
Totally agree—coconut curry is dangerous in the best way 😄 I love that you used frozen prawns and they still turned out perfect. Coriander really does make it pop.
Sounds good, but 5-7 minutes for prawns from frozen feels a bit optimistic to me. I usually wait longer or they get rubbery. Still, I’d try it—coconut + tomato is a solid combo.
Not bad, but I think the seasoning is missing something—needs a pinch of sugar or more salt to balance the tomato. I had to fix it at the end.
Totally agree—tomato can taste a bit sharp without a pinch of sugar. I usually add a tiny amount at the simmer and it smooths out the whole curry.
Pretty good overall, but my sauce didn’t separate much even after the tomato step. I ended up simmering longer and it thickened fine. Flavor was still great.
Same thing happened to me—mine stayed kind of “smooth” instead of separating. I probably didn’t cook the tomato puree long enough for the oil to show. Next time I’ll simmer that step more and keep the heat a touch higher. Glad the flavor still came out!
Oil separation not happening is kinda normal sometimes, depends on the tomato puree brand and how much fat in the coconut milk. If it thickened after longer simmer, you did fine. I usually give it 15 min on the tomato step, then add coconut. Also don’t overcook the prawns—5 min max or they get rubbery.