Garlic Shrimp in Coconut Milk - Serving Dumplings (2024)

Garlic shrimp in coconut milk. This fragrant 20-minute meal is a seafood-lover’s dream. Seared shrimp simmered in a creamy garlic coconut sauce enhanced with lime juice and just the right amount of honey. It’s light, delicate and super flavorful. This recipe is most definitely going to kick your dinner game into high gear!

This dish will tempt people into the kitchen, wondering what smells so good. The shrimp are coated in garlic and paprika, then seared and simmered in a combination of coconut milk, lime juice and fish sauce. You can stir in a bit of green like spinach, or use your favorite quick-cooking greens like bok choy or kale and adjust cooking time if needed. Swap the shrimp for scallops or white fish, if you like.

Since there’s lots of sauce that deserves to be soaked up, serve it with rice, noodles or bread. It’s such a treat, one of the easiest, nicest meals you can eat at home.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.

We shortly sear the shrimp first before simmering in the sauce, to prevent them from becoming tough. While it adds an extra step, this makes the shrimp taste buttery and moist with a tender texture.

To create a rich sauce that goes really well with seafood, we use coconut milk combined with garlic. At the end we whisk in fish sauce, add a twist of lime juice and fresh cilantro to keep this dish bright and citrusy. Just a few ingredients, but the result is out of this world delicious.

To spice things up, we add a pinch chili flakes. Adjust the heat to your liking, use one teaspoon for medium heat, and two if you don’t mind some sweat beading on your forehead.

Ingredients, Tips & Substitutions

Shrimp

• Shrimp: I typically use frozen (just be sure to thaw first), and prefer a large size (16-20 per pound).
• Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder and sweet paprika.
• Butter and Oil: For searing the shrimp.

Garlic Coconut Milk Sauce

• Garlic: Our flavor base. Try not to use store-bought pre-chopped garlic, it will never add as many flavor as freshly minced.
• Coconut Milk: Use full fat coconut milk for best creamy result.
• Onion: Extra flavor, you can also use a shallot.
• Lime Juice: To add some acidity.
• Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.
• Fish Sauce: To boost the salty, savory flavor.
• Honey: To jazz up the coconut flavor. Honey can be substituted for brown sugar.
• Cilantro: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try it with Thai basil or parsley.
• Chili flakes: Add a nice spicy kick without overpowering the overall taste.

Recipe Notes

• Pair with anAsian cucumber salad, green beans or steamed broccoli.
• Serve with basmati rice, noodles, bread or naan.
• Stir in some veggies into the sauce, like spinach, sugar snaps, bell pepper, bok choy or kale. Adjust cooking time as needed.
• Storage: Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Try These Next

• Thai Coconut Salmon Curry
• Spicy Drunken Shrimp
• Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry
• Garlic Butter Sautéed Shrimp
• Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs