Cairns-style Tropical Prawn Coconut Curry
A creamy, fragrant prawn curry inspired by the tropical ingredients found near Cairns, featuring coconut milk, fresh lime, and a touch of chili heat. This asian fusion-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined raw prawns, coconut oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined raw prawns
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp yellow curry powder
- 14 oz can coconut milk
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 small, thinly sliced red chili
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cups cooked, to serve jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp yellow curry powder and cook for 1 minute until the spices are aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 14 oz coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer, then add 1 lb peeled and deveined raw prawns. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the prawns turn pink and curl.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 thinly sliced small red chili, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the curry hot over 2 cups cooked jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cairns-style Tropical Prawn Coconut Curry take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cairns-style Tropical Prawn Coconut Curry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep coconut oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cairns-style Tropical Prawn Coconut Curry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cairns-style Tropical Prawn Coconut Curry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cairns-style Tropical Prawn Coconut Curry?
Asian Fusion seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
