Kerala Shrimp Curry Recipe (Chemmeen Curry With Coconut Milk)
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This Kerala shrimp curry, known locally as chemmeen curry, simmers plump shrimp in a silky coconut milk gravy spiced with curry leaves, mustard seeds, and spice powders. It comes together in 30 minutes, tastes like a beachside shack in Kerala, and pairs beautifully with steamed rice or appam. No coconut grinding, no fancy equipment, just one pan and pantry-friendly ingredients.
You may like a few more prawn recipes: Goan Shrimp Vindaloo, Shrimp Moilee, Shrimp Pulao, Goan Prawn Curry, Shrimp Masala, and Hunan Shrimp.
Table of Contents
What Is Kerala Shrimp Curry?
Kerala Shrimp Curry, also known as Kerala Prawn Curry or Chemmeen Curry, is a traditional dish from the South Indian state of Kerala.
While my North Indian-style Shrimp Masala leans on tomatoes, onion, and garam masala, this coastal version draws its character from coconut milk, tamarind or kokum, and fresh curry leaves.
I first tasted this curry at a tiny homestay in Alleppey, served on a banana leaf with red rice and a side of coconut chutney. The cook, an aunty named Sheela, used a clay pot called a meen chatti and made here coconut milk fresh that morning. My version skips the clay pot but keeps everything that makes the dish sing.
I like to serve this delicious Kerala prawn curry with steamed rice, ghee rice, or flaky Kerala Parotta for lunch or dinner. For a wholesome meal, you can also relish it with ghee roast dosa, appam, or neer dosa.
For a full Kerala-style spread, pair it with a stir-fried vegetable like cabbage thoran and a bowl of pickle. If you enjoy seafood curries in general, you will probably also love a goan fish curry, which uses a similar coconut base but with a punchier profile.
Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- Authentic Kerala flavor profile done in 30 minutes, start to finish
- Perfect shrimp texture (not rubbery)
- Balanced spice and coconut richness
- Traditional tempering technique
- Restaurant-quality results at home
Ingredients
- Prawns (Shrimp) – You can use fresh prawns or frozen prawns to make Kerala prawn curry. If using frozen prawns, thaw them before use. You can use any size of prawns, small, medium, large, or jumbo; they all work great. However, the cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size. Clean and devein the prawns before using, if they are not already deveined.
- Oil – This curry is traditionally made with coconut oil. It gives the curry a very unique taste. If it’s unavailable, then you can use any cooking oil.
- Spice Powders – You will need basic Indian spices, including coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, black pepper powder, and garam masala powder.
- Coconut Milk – Traditionally, it is made using fresh homemade coconut milk, but I use a can or a tetra pack for ease.
- Others – You will also need brown mustard seeds, fennel seeds (saunf), fenugreek seeds (methi dana), onions, fresh tomatoes, green chilies, fresh ginger, garlic, fresh curry leaves, tamarind paste, salt, and cilantro (fresh coriander leaves).
- For Tempering – It is optional but recommended. You will need coconut oil, sliced shallots (or onions), curry leaves, and Kashmiri red chili powder.
Some people add 3-4 dried Kudampuli (Malabar tamarind, Garcinia cambogia) instead of tamarind for a tangy flavor. Kudam puli is a tropical fruit that is native to India and Southeast Asia. You can find it in Indian grocery stores or specialty Kerala stores. You can also add a few slices of raw mango for a tangy kick during the mango season.
How To Make Kerala Style Shrimp Curry
Make The Curry
Step 1: Heat 5 tablespoon of coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add the following ingredients to hot coconut oil, and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds.
- ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
Step 3: Add 2 cups of thinly sliced onions and cook until the onions turn slightly brown (8-10 minutes), stirring frequently.
Step 4: Now, add the following ingredients and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes are mushy.
- 1 cup of chopped tomatoes
- 2-3 green chilies (slit in half)
- 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
- 2 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 15-20 curry leaves
If you like a creamier curry, blend the onion-tomato mixture at this stage to make a fine paste. Then follow the rest of the recipe as is.
Step 5: Add the following ingredients and cook for 1 minute or until oil starts to separate from the masala.
- 2 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 3 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
Step 6: Add the following ingredients and mix well.
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste (or 3-4 dried kudampuli)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Step 7: Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring a few times.
Step 8: Now add 1 cup of coconut milk (optional) and ½ cup of water, and bring the curry to a simmer, stirring frequently.
Step 9: Add 300 g cleaned and deveined prawns (shrimp) and cook for 5-6 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook the shrimp; otherwise, they will turn rubbery. Check for salt and add more if needed.
If using small shrimp, cook for 4-5 minutes; if using large (jumbo) shrimp, cook for 7-8 minutes.
Temper The Curry
Step 10: Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a small pan.
Step 11: Once the oil is hot, add ¼ cup thinly sliced shallots (or onions) and 10-12 curry leaves, and fry until the shallots are browned, stirring frequently.
Step 12: Add ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder and saute for 3-4 seconds.
Step 13: Pour the tempering over the curry and mix well.
Step 14: Serve hot.
Kerala Shrimp Curry FAQs
First, remove the head, legs, and tail by twisting them off to clean and devein prawns. Then, use a small knife to make a shallow cut down the back of the prawn and remove the vein using the tip of the knife or a toothpick. Rinse the prawns under cold running water and use.
Just skip adding coconut milk and replace it with ½ cup of water.
The terms “prawns” and “shrimp” are often used interchangeably in some regions, but they can differ depending on where you are and the local terminology.
In many parts of the world, especially in the United States, the term “shrimp” is commonly used to refer to both true shrimp and prawns, with no strict distinction made between the two.
However, there is a distinction between prawns and shrimp in other countries, especially in Europe and some parts of Asia.
Read more about the difference between shrimp and prawns here.
Leftover curry can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in a pan or in the microwave until hot, then serve. This curry tastes even better the next day, so it’s good to have leftovers :).
I do not recommend freezing this curry, as it may split when thawed.
Other Kerala Recipes We Recommend
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Kerala Shrimp Curry Recipe (Chemmeen Curry With Coconut Milk)
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon black mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (saunf)
- ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
- 2 cups thinly sliced onions
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 2-3 green chilies (slit into half)
- 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 15-20 curry leaves
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 3 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste (or 3-4 dried Kudampuli)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup coconut milk (optional)
- 300 grams medium prawns (shrimp) (fresh or frozen, cleaned and deveined, )
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
For Tempering (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ¼ cup sliced shallots (or onions)
- 10-12 curry leaves
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
Instructions
Make The Shrimp Curry
- Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and fenugreek seeds, and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds.
- Add onions and cook until they turn slightly brown (8-10 minutes), stirring frequently.
- Add tomatoes, green chilies, ginger, garlic, and curry leaves, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes are mushy.
- Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, chili powder, pepper powder, and garam masala powder, and cook for a minute or until the oil starts to separate from the masala.
- Add 1 cup of water, tamarind paste, and salt, and mix well.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring a few times while cooking.
- Now add coconut milk (optional) and ½ cup of water and bring the curry to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Add prawns (shrimp) and cook for 5-6 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook the shrimp; otherwise, they will turn rubbery.
- Check for salt and add more if required.
Temper The Curry
- Heat coconut oil in a small pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add shallots (or onions) and curry leaves, and fry until the shallots are browned, stirring frequently.
- Add Kashmiri red chili powder and saute for 3-4 seconds.
- Pour the tempering over the curry and mix well. Serve hot.
This was so tasty! Saved for next time.
Thanks M for your feedback
This was an easy recipe and tasted fantastic ! I didn’t use coconut milk and no tempering at the end but was delicious!! First attempt at shrimp curry for lent .
Love following your recipes
Thank you
Thanks for you kind words Marguerite
Really good curry, I make a plenty of curries and this is definitely going in my top 10.
Oh my goodness me! I just made this for my family and it was absolutely amazing, better than resturant!
I doubled the recipe, but kept the chilli at the single. it was beautifully rich and had a lovely spicy heat.
I’m allergic to coconut, so I used almond milk instead, and since we had no tamarind substituted lemon juice for tang.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful recipe and easy to follow instructions!
Happy to hear that the recipe worked for you 🙂
Easy to make and tasty to eat.
Tried your recipe yesterday and it was out of this world! Family loved it!! 👌
Awesome recipe. It has become my “go to” recipe for prawn curry. Love it. Thank you.
Thanks for trying 🙂
I made this yesterday and it was utterly delicious. My first taste I felt disappointment. But there is a delayed hit of flavour. Every bite into it was more pleasant that the one before.
Happy to hear!
Came out really good 👍 simple recipe 👌
Thanks for trying 🙂
It’s lovely! I tried it and loved it. I added some thick coconut cream and milk.
It was yummy!
Thank you
Nice )