Recipe: 15-Minute Coconut Curry Shrimp
An quick Thai red curry filled with shrimp, bell peppers, and bok choy that comes together in one pot.
Serves4
Prep10 minutes
Cook5 minutes to 6 minutes
Simple Thai-inspired curries have recently become one of my weeknight staples. As long as I have a jar of store-bought curry paste in my fridge and a couple of cans of coconut milk in my pantry, I know I’m just minutes away from a satisfying dinner.
Although you can adapt these curries depending on which protein and veggies you have on hand, my current favorite is this creamy pot filled with plump shrimp, juicy bell peppers, and crisp baby bok choy. It’s full of spice and oh-so satisfying any night of the week — no matter the season.
A Quick Thai Curry That’s Better than Takeout
For years, I only enjoyed Thai curries when I ordered them from my neighborhood takeout spot. After finally making one myself, I quickly realized how easy they can be — especially because good Thai curry paste is easy to find in most grocery stores these days. Add a protein, some vegetables, and coconut milk, and you have a dish that rivals your favorite takeout dish in next to no time.
Here, I’ve bumped up the flavor of store-bought curry paste with garlic and fresh ginger, and added a big burst of freshness with lime juice and cilantro, which offsets the richness of the coconut milk. There’s lots of sauce here that begs to be soaked up with rice, although it’s equally as tasty if you just grab a spoon.
Coconut Curry Shrimp
An quick Thai red curry filled with shrimp, bell peppers, and bok choy that comes together in one pot.
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes to 6 minutes
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon
vegetable or coconut oil
- 1
large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon
peeled and minced fresh ginger (from a 1-inch piece)
- 2 cloves
garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons
Thai red curry paste
- 1 pound
peeled and deveined uncooked medium shrimp
- 2 heads
baby bok choy (about 1 pound total), root end trimmed and leaves cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 (13- to 14-ounce) can
full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup
water
- 1 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
Juice from 1 medium lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup
coarsely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
Cooked rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the bell pepper, ginger, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in the curry paste and sauté for 1 minute. Add the coconut milk, water, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stir in the shrimp and bok choy, and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and opaque, the bell pepper is just tender, and the bok choy is wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Serve immediately over rice, if desired.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.