Jamaican Curry Shrimp Recipe (2024)

This Jamaican Curry Shrimp Recipe is made with Jamaican curry powder, large succulent shrimp, bell peppers, and coconut milk. It’s a quick and easy curry recipe that’s perfect any day of the week.

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If you traveled to Jamaica or are familiar with the culture, you know curry is quite popular on the island. Curry chicken, curry goat and curry shrimp are all popular dishes in Jamaica.

While coconut milk isn’t a traditional addition to curry chicken or curry goat, it’s a signature ingredient in curry shrimp.

Coconut milk pairs extremely well with the taste of the shrimp and it is perfect in this dish. The added peppers make this dish colorful and vibrant and they are the perfect accompaniment to the shrimp and curry.

This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, satisfying your craving for island flavor in no time.

Ingredients Needed for this Curry Shrimp Recipe

• Shrimp – 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined: The star of the dish, providing a succulent and meaty texture to complement the rich and spicy curry sauce.
• Spices and Herbs – Curry powder, all-purpose seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper
• Vegetables – yellow onion, red and green bell peppers, scotch bonnet pepper for a little spice. If you can’t find scotch bonnets, habaneros or jalapeños are good substitutes.
• Liquids – unsweetened coconut milk from a can and ketchup.
• Oil – for sautéing the vegetables and shrimp.

How to make Jamaican Curry Shrimp

First, gather your ingredients.

Season shrimp with 1 Tablespoon of curry powder and all-purpose seasoning and set aside for about 10 minutes. Prepare the other ingredients like chopping your onions, peppers, and garlic.

Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced yellow onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, scotch bonnet pepper, if using, and chopped garlic and stir for 5 minutes, until peppers are slightly softened.

Add remaining curry powder and stir for an additional minute.

Then add coconut milk, seasoned shrimp, ketchup, and thyme, making sure the shrimp is covered in the sauce.

Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally and flipping the shrimp halfway, until the shrimp is fully cooked on both sides. This should take about 5-6 minutes.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with rice and enjoy.

How to store

Make ahead – Without a doubt, curry shrimp stands as an excellent choice for a make-ahead dish. As time passes, the flavors meld more profoundly, offering an even more intense and delightful taste experience

To refrigerate – Store leftover curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To freeze – Cool the curry before freezing. Then place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator, and once thawed. Heat up gently in a pot over the stove.

Notes on Jamaican Curry Shrimp

• This curry creates a rich and delicious sauce. I use a whole can of full fat coconut milk. If you like your sauce a little thinner, sub half of the coconut milk with water.
• I use Blue Mountain Jamaican curry powder for this recipe or my homemade curry powder recipe.
• Make sure to keep the heat on medium to avoid scorching the sauce. If your sauce begins to scorch, turn your heat down to medium-low.
• This dish is delicious served over white or brown rice. Coleslaw served on the side is also a great idea.
• If you’re not a fan of spice, omit the scotch bonnet pepper.

FAQ

Looking for more Jamaican recipes? Try these out

• Jamaican Oxtails
• Ackee and Saltfish
• Brown Stew Chicken
• Jerk Chicken
• Rice and Peas
• Jamaican Rum Punch

This post was originally published on September 8, 2021. It has been updated with additional helpful information.