SHRIMP TIKKA MASALA(prawn tikka)

Shrimp tikka masala aka prawn tikka is your favourite Indian shrimp recipe to serve as a one-pot seafood masala curry.

Cooking this delicious prawn masala curry will give you a thick, aromatic, and smooth gravy made up of yoghurt and Indian spices.

Serve something different for your Indian-themed dinner by making this shrimp dish.

With its amazing authentic tikka masala sauce bursting with flavours, you can now enjoy a restaurant-style curry at home.

Flavours in authentic shrimp tikka masala.

Shrimp tikka masala is a seafood version of the more common chicken tikka masala you are familiar with.

The only difference is you are,

• Replacing chicken with fresh shrimp(prawns).
• We are also not going to fry or grill the shrimp as we don’t want to overcook the shrimp early on the stage and make them rubbery.

Ingredients & cooking method to make shrimp tikka.

To marinate the shrimp, you will use ingredients like lemon, ginger garlic paste, and salt.

To make the masala gravy, you temper a few cumin seeds, onion slices, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, and chilli powder.

Once this is done, a base sauce with freshly blended tomato or tomato paste, yoghurt, and garam masala is made.

The final step would be cooking the marinated shrimp in this tikka masala gravy.

The result is a curry where the shrimp is smothered in creamy and thick sauce like gravy, giving you just enough heat, tang, and warm flavours from the spices used.

What to serve with Shrimp tikka masala.

• Serve over a bed of warm basmati rice, regular white rice, yellow rice(turmeric rice) or Indian ghee rice and a fresh crunchy salad.

• Serve with naan bread or parathas.

• For a simpler meal serve with a store-bought baguette sliced brushed with garlic oil and grilled or toasted.

Faq: shrimp tikka masala.

• Can I make shrimp(prawn)tikka masala with frozen prawns?
  • Yes, defrost the shrimp, pat dry, and make the shrimp curry as directed in the recipe.

• How do I clean and devein shrimp?
  • You can use my post on how to clean and devein shrimp to learn how to do it.

• Can I make the shrimp tikka masala ahead of time?
  • Yes, you can actually make the curry a few hours ahead of time.
  • If you want to make the shrimp curry 1 or 2 days ahead of time, just make the masala gravy and freeze it.
  • When you need to make the curry, remove the masala gravy from the freezer a few hours early(5-6 hours).
  • Have the shrimp marinated, and when the gravy defrosts, simply cook the shrimp for 12-15 minutes.

Storing tips for shrimp tikka masala.

Store the shrimp tikka masala in glass storage bowls with a lid. The spices will stain so use old storage boxes or bowls.

If refrigerating use within 2-3 days.

If you are freezing, follow the instructions given above for making this dish ahead of time.

You can reheat over a stovetop over low heat with a splash of water. if you are using the microwave, use a microwave-safe cover and reheat for 2 minutes.

More shrimp curry recipes.

Malabar shrimp curry

Prawn caldine curry

Spicy prawn masala curry

Creamy Indian prawn curry

Sri Lankan shrimp curry

RECIPE OVERVIEW FOR shrimp tikka masala

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE SHRIMP TIKKA

500g of cleaned and deveined shrimp(prawns, about 25-30 medium)
To marinade
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of lemon or lime juice
1 teaspoon of red chilli powder
1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
For the shrimp tikka gravy
3 tablespoons of oil
1 large onion chopped fine
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 teaspoon of red chilli powder(increase heat as per your need)
1 teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste
2 tablespoons of tomato paste(substitute with 3 medium tomatoes blended)
1 tablespoon of garam masala
1/2 a cup of yoghurt or curd(stir the yoghurt if is set)
1/4 cup cream(substitute with thick coconut milk)
Salt to season
1 teaspoon of sugar(optional, to balance off the flavours)

How to marinate the shrimp.

Pat dry the shrimp to remove excess water and place them in a bowl.

Add salt(1/2 tsp), lemon or lime juice(1 tsp), red chilli powder(1 tsp), and ginger garlic paste(1 tsp).

Set aside for 5-10 minutes.

How to make the shrimp tikka masala gravy.

Place a pan over low medium heat and pour in the oil(3 tbsp).

Add the cumin seeds(1 tsp) followed by chopped onion(1 large), stir, and cook until the onions turn soft and slightly golden in colour.

Add turmeric powder(1 tsp), red chilli powder(1 tsp, add more if you prefer the curry spicy), and ginger-garlic paste(1 tsp).

Cook for 2 minutes over low-medium heat.
Add the tomato paste(2 tbsp, substitute with 3 medium tomatoes blended).

Cook until combined well.

Stir the yoghurt or curd(1/2 a cup)and add to the pan followed by garam masala(1 tbsp).
Combine well over low heat until you have a thick gravy.
Taste and season with salt and add sugar(1 tsp)to balance off the taste.

Add the prawns and combine well with the masala gravy.

Cook until the shrimp turn soft(3-4 minutes).

Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle cream or thick coconut milk(1/4 cup).