Shrimp Tikka Masala: A Flavor-Packed Dinner Ready in Under 45 Minutes
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Shrimp Tikka Masala is a bold, creamy, and comforting dish with a kick of spice.
This rich and fragrant curry dish features succulent shrimp simmered in a spiced tomato-cream sauce, perfect for cozy dinners or easy weeknight meals. Serve it over basmati rice or pair with warm naan—either way, it’s a winner!
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Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Tikka Masala Recipe
- A rich and comforting dish with bold Indian-inspired flavors
- The creamy tomato and yogurt sauce is packed with warming spices
- Shrimp adds a delicious seafood twist to a classic curry favorite
- Feels like restaurant-quality curry, made right in your own kitchen
- Pairs beautifully with basmati rice, warm naan, and Kachumba Salad
For more deliciously spiced food, take a look at our other Curry Recipes.
Ingredients for Shrimp Tikka Masala
The ingredients and tools for this recipe are conveniently linked to online retailers, including Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart. The quantities are in the recipe card.
- Protein: Jumbo Shrimp (Prawns)
- Fresh Produce: Lime, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Cilantro (Fresh Coriander)
- Dairy & Chilled: Unsalted Butter, Greek Yogurt, Heavy Cream (Double Cream)
- Pantry: Sea Salt, Black Pepper
- Coconut Oil—you can also use ghee or neutral oil like canola or vegetable
- Chili Powder—for heat and bold flavor. You can use mild or hot according to your preference
- Cumin Seeds—for a nutty, earthy flavor base
- Ground Turmeric—adds color and warmth
- Garam Masala—a fragrant Indian spice blend
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes—you can also use canned chopped tomatoes, or whole tomatoes, and chop them down
- Cooked Basmati Rice—ideal for soaking up all that delicious sauce
The complete list of ingredients, along with their measurements, is provided on the recipe card. The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide measurements in US customary, imperial, and metric units. Still, it’s essential to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial units (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric units (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
How Do I Make Shrimp Tikka Masala?
This simple yet bold curry comes together in a few easy steps, featuring layered spices and creamy tomato flavor.
~Check out the recipe card below—you can print or save it for later—and don’t forget to leave a star rating!
Then, continue scrolling for more food pairings and more info about this recipe.
Shrimp Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 25-30 jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 medium lime juiced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and finely grated
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon undalted butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 (14-oz can) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup heavy cream double cream
To Serve:
- Cooked basmati rice
- Fresh cilantro (fresh coriander) roughly chopped, to taste
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine shrimp with lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper. Let sit for 15–20 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 4–5 minutes, just until opaque and slightly softened. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Stir in cumin seeds, turmeric, and garam masala. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the diced onions to the pan and cook until softened and slightly golden, about 4–5 minutes.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Stir and simmer for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Greek yogurt and heavy cream. Cook gently for another 4–5 minutes.
- Return the cooked shrimp and any juices to the skillet. Stir through and cook just until heated through.
- Spoon over cooked basmati rice, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and serve hot. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips
- Use raw jumbo shrimp for best results—pre-cooked shrimp may become rubbery.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp; they only need a few minutes!
Substitutions
- No Greek yogurt? Use sour cream or plain natural yogurt instead.
- Swap the coconut oil for ghee or neutral cooking oil.
Leftovers & Freezing
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat.
- Not ideal for freezing, as dairy-based sauces can separate on thawing.
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
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Pair This Curry With…
Looking to complete your curry night? These flavorful sides and refreshing treats are the perfect companions to Shrimp Tikka Masala.
- Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges with Herbed Coconut Yogurt Dip
- Lemon Tumeric Rice
- Cucumber Coconut Margaritas
- Mango Lime Frozen Yogurt
Don’t forget the naan bread, chutneys, and poppadoms!
Bold, Creamy, and So Satisfying!
Shrimp Tikka Masala is the kind of dish you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. It’s easy enough for weeknights but special enough to impress guests. From the creamy sauce to the tender shrimp and aromatic spices, every bite is pure comfort.
Don’t forget to ♥ save this recipe and share it with fellow foodies! And if you give it a try, we’d love to hear how it went—leave a comment or tag us in your creations.
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