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Garlic Shrimp in Coconut Milk Recipe

4.5 from 124 reviews

This Garlic Shrimp in Coconut Milk recipe offers a creamy, flavorful dish that balances tender shrimp with rich coconut milk and vibrant seasonings like garlic, lime, and cilantro. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp Marinade

  • 1.1 pounds shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Cooking Base

  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 yellow onion (diced)

Sauce and Garnish

  • 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) unsweetened coconut milk (full fat)
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (more for serving)
  • Chili flakes (for serving)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepping: In a bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and garlic powder. Stir to mix well and set aside to marinate briefly while preparing other ingredients.
  2. Chopping: Mince the garlic cloves, finely dice the yellow onion, and chop the cilantro. Keep these ready for cooking.
  3. Searing: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter together in a large skillet over high heat. Place the shrimp in a single layer and sear them for about 1 minute on each side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Cooking the Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to low. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Pour in three-quarters of the coconut milk. In a separate container, mix the remaining coconut milk with the cornstarch until smooth, then add it to the skillet. Stir in the fish sauce, honey, and lime juice, then simmer the sauce for 2 minutes to thicken.
  5. Finishing: Add chopped cilantro to the skillet along with the cooked shrimp. Toss everything to coat in the creamy sauce and simmer for another 1 minute or until the shrimp is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra fish sauce or lime juice if needed, adding by teaspoon increments.
  6. Serving: Transfer the garlic shrimp in coconut milk to serving plates. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro, chili flakes to taste, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy this flavorful dish.

Notes

  • Use full-fat coconut milk for a richer and creamier sauce.
  • Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of chili flakes used.
  • For a thicker sauce, ensure the cornstarch is well dissolved before adding it to prevent lumps.
  • Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • This dish cooks quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped beforehand.

Keywords: Garlic Shrimp, Coconut Milk, Creamy Shrimp, Quick Dinner, Asian Inspired, Seafood Recipe