peanut butter

Coconut milk flavored with peanut butter makes a classic Thai-inspired, creamy sauce. When tossed with shrimp and bell peppers, it makes for an easy dinner!

I feel that I’ve led you astray. That I didn’t deliver. That I was just a being a big tease.

Actually, there were a plethora of you who said that’s exactly what I was, when you e-mailed me in droves asking where the recipe was for the photo of this dish in my Friday Faves without sharing the recipe.

You’re right. I owe you this coconut curry shrimp recipe. And I’m delivering it in two different versions, one that was the original from a cereal cooking challenge I was part of and the other version minus the cereal for those of you looking for a simpler version.

This recipe was my divine inspiration when I was put on the spot for a cooking challenge at General Mills HQ. We were tasked to create recipes using a General Mills cereal, ANY cereal. And that’s a lot of cereals!

I channeled my main man in the kitchen (my husband) and used Reese’s Puffs to create a Thai flavored version by grinding the Reese’s Puffs and coating the shrimp in them then cooking for a peanut-y crust.

To recreate the recipe, I went to the store to buy the cereal and came home with…Cocoa Puffs, not Reese’s Puffs. So, instead of making yet another trip to the store, I’m giving you the stripped down version as well, minus the Reese’s Puffs coating.

What’s in This Coconut Curry Shrimp?

Here’s what you’ll need to make my take on Thai shrimp curry:

• Jumbo shrimp
• Vegetable oil
• Garlic
• Kosher salt
• Red chili flakes
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Coconut milk
• Fish sauce
• Peanut butter
• Lime juice
• Ground ginger
• Brown sugar
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Green onion

How to Make Coconut Curry Shrimp

First up, you’ll need to peel and devein the shrimp. Then, toss the shrimp with a little oil, garlic, kosher salt and red chili flakes. Let the shrimp marinate for 10 minutes.

Cook the onion and peppers in a hot skillet until softened, then transfer them to a bowl. Working in batches, cook the shrimp in the skillet and then place in a separate bowl.

Next, make the coconut shrimp sauce. The creamy sauce is amped up by combining coconut milk with salty fish sauce and lime juice, plus peanut butter, brown sugar, and ground ginger. Don’t be afraid of fish sauce. It sounds odd but lends a distinctly Thai flavor to the dish. My husband read somewhere Red Boat is a highly rated fish sauce, and is 100% natural, so it’s the one we buy now.

Add the cooked onion and peppers back into the skillet and pour in coconut milk mixture. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer and cook until reduced by half. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the basil and cilantro and toss to coat.

When serving this coconut curry shrimp, for me it’s all about the garnish. Cilantro leaves, fresh basil, sliced red jalapeño, chopped green onion and a squeeze of lime simply enhances this dish in my opinion. And if you’re using the Reese’s Puffs, a few tablespoons of crushed puffs adds a peanut buttery crunch.

Can I Add in Extra Veggies?

Of course! Feel free to swap out one of the bell peppers for another favorite veggie.

What Type of Coconut Milk Should I Use?

You should used canned unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk.

How to Make Coconut Milk Shrimp with Cereal

If you’d like to try the version with the cereal crusted shrimp, simply grind 1 cup of Reese’s Puffs in a food processor. After allowing the shrimp to marinate for about 15 minutes, roll the shrimp in the crushed cereal and sauté in the skillet.

You will need to wipe the pan out after each batch and may need a little extra oil as well.

It’s a pretty tasty crunch, if I do say so myself. (Pat on back…)

Tips for Making Coconut Curry Shrimp

PLEASE TAKE NOTE! There have been some comments that the dish is too salty. I believe this is from using a lesser quality fish sauce, which will lend a saltier taste. Please use a high quality fish sauce like the one I recommend, or add just 4 tablespoons of sauce and then taste it, and add more to your liking.

You can use fresh or dried ginger in this dish. I’ve used both. If using fresh, use 1 1/2 tablespoons minced ginger and cook it with the peppers and onions and omit the dried ginger from the coconut milk mixture.

I always use Key West Pink Shrimp in my shrimp dishes. In my opinion, they’re sweeter and more flavorful than striped or tiger shrimp that are typically farmed. I find the wild caught Key West Shrimps in the freezer section at my local Kroger (under the Private Selection brand).

I like to leave the tails on this dish for presentation sake, but if you want to, feel free to remove the tails from the get go.

I serve this dish over brown rice for another layer of nutty flavor. If you’re a white rice kinda eater, go for it. Cellophane or rice noodles would be really good underneath too, or spiralize a few zucchini noodles to keep the veg-love flowing.

More Thai-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

• Thai Quinoa Salad
• Thai Chicken and Cucumber Salad
• Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) 
• Thai Coconut Chicken and Rice
• Thai Coconut Noodle Salad
• Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

3.76 from 157 votes

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Shrimp In Thai Coconut Sauce

Coconut milk flavored with peanut butter makes a classic Thai-inspired, creamy sauce. When tossed with shrimp and bell peppers, it makes for an easy dinner!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Thai

Keyword shrimp

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 429 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 pound jumbo shrimp shell and tail on
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
• 2 gloves garlic minced or pressed
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1/2 onion peeled and sliced
• 1/2 red bell pepper seeded and sliced
• 1/2 orange bell pepper seeded and sliced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper seeded and sliced
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 4-6 tablespoons high quality fish sauce start with 4 tablespoons and add more to taste
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons lime juice about 1/2 large lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons basil leaves chopped
• 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
• 1 green onion chopped
• Red jalapeno pepper thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1. Peel and devein shrimp, leaving tails on. Place the shrimp in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the oil, garlic, kosher salt and red chili flakes. Toss to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the onion and peppers and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer the peppers and onion to a bowl.

3. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and cook half of the shrimp for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes or until opaque. Transfer the shrimp to a plate. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and cook the remaining shrimp then add to the other shrimp.

4. In another bowl or 4-cup measuring cup mix the coconut milk, fish sauce, peanut butter, lime juice, brown sugar and ground ginger and stir well.

5. Transfer the cooked onion and peppers to the skillet and pour the coconut milk mixture of the peppers. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

6. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the basil and cilantro and toss to coat. Serve over rice or noodles. Garnish with more cilantro and basil, chopped green onion and sliced red jalapeño of desired.

Nutrition Facts

Shrimp In Thai Coconut Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 429 Calories from Fat 288

% Daily Value*

Fat 32g49%

Saturated Fat 23g144%

Cholesterol 286mg95%

Sodium 1076mg47%

Potassium 395mg11%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 1094IU22%

Vitamin C 74mg90%

Calcium 181mg18%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.