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Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce Chinese Recipe

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Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Ellen Christian

Have you ever tried shrimp in coconut milk sauce? Find out how to make your favorite Chinese buffet recipe at home in just a few minutes.

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Easy Chinese Recipe: Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce

Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce Recipe

If you’re looking for more Chinese recipes, why not check out this Chinese New Year Banquet Menu. Make all of your favorite Chinese dishes today.

I love Chinese food and we occasionally splurge by going for takeout to our local Chinese restaurant. The last time we splurged for the four of us, our bill came to close to $50.

That made me step back and think about how much Chinese food I could make at home for the same price.  This easy Chinese recipe for Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce is one of my favorites.

You’re going to love my shrimp in coconut milk! It’s difficult to be certain if Chinese takeout food is really gluten-free. There are often a lot of fillers and even MSG in there.

In the summer, we use fresh vegetables from the garden or farmer’s market. In the winter, we use frozen bagged vegetables to keep the costs down.

I really recommend that you make this easy Chinese recipe in a wok. The high sides of the wok make it so much easier to prepare than making it in a traditional saute pan.

Using a non-stick wok will help to cut down on the amount of cleanup you have to do after.

cloves of garlic on a bamboo surface

To make garlic shrimp in coconut milk

If you’ve ever tried garlic shrimp in coconut cream and fallen in love with it, no worries. You can easily replicate that taste with this recipe by adding minced garlic to the recipe when you saute the seafood.

I like to use already prepared garlic because it’s easiest. But, you can certainly start with fresh garlic, peel it and chop it yourself. 

Coconut milk curry shrimp

Did you know that this base recipe is also popular in Indian culture? It is! Except in that version, you would add curry powder.

So, to make coconut curry shrimp, leave out the vegetables, add chopped onion, and add 2 tablespoons of curry paste and 2 teaspoons of curry powder. Yum!

Easy Chinese Recipe: Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce

An added benefit of this easy Chinese recipe is that since it has shrimp in it, it’s perfect for Lent or for any time you want to have a meal that is lighter on your waistline.

Coconut milk shrimp pasta dish

We don’t eat a lot of pasta because my daughter is gluten intolerant. And, I am not a huge fan of gluten-free pasta.

But, if you really want a coconut shrimp pasta dish, you can use pasta instead of the rice. Just mix the final dish together with pasta and leave out the rice.

So, is this coconut milk shrimp keto? No, not really. Cornstarch does contain carbs. And, while a small amount is allowable on the keto diet, 2 tablespoons is a bit more than they’d prefer.

And, soy sauce is not allowed typically. Now, you can use coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce. But, you’d have to experiment a bit to use less cornstarch.

Korean BBQ Stir-Fry with black chopsticks

Other Asian recipes you might like

If you enjoy Asian recipes, you might want to try my Korean BBQ Stir Fry, my Mandarin Orange Chicken, or my Peanut Butter Pasta recipe.

And, this frugal fried rice recipe is a great side dish. Or, the kids may enjoy these Wild Gochujang Wings.

Even my husband who is not a huge fan of Chinese food loves my chicken wings recipe. 

Fun things to get for this meal

Of course, when you serve an Asian dish, it’s always fun to serve it with chopsticks. I have my own set that comes with a stand.

And, when the kids were little, we got them a training pair of chopsticks so that they could learn how to hold them properly.

Using chopsticks just helps to set the mood when you serve Chinese food. It’s not a requirement, but it is loads of fun. Try them with this shrimp cooked with coconut milk.

fortune cookies on a white plate

And, it’s also fun to serve fortune cookies with this coconut milk shrimp. Now, I know some people make their own fortune cookies. But, that’s a bit too much work for me.

You can buy them and keep them in a tightly sealed bag. Then, you’ll have them available whenever you want some.

Now, if you want to make your own, check out this recipe for Fifteen Spatulas. You can make them the next time you try my shrimp in coconut milk.

Yield: 4

Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce

Easy Chinese Recipe: Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce #StreamTeam

This easy Chinese recipe for Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce is one of my favorites.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • salt & pepper
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 lb shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined
  • 1 small bag of frozen broccoli, carrots, snap peas and water chestnuts
  • garnish with slices of lime

Instructions

  1. In a large pan or wok mix the coconut milk, cornstarch and salt and pepper.
  2. Stir over low heat until thickened.
  3. Add the sauce sauce, frozen vegetables and shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes until shrimp are completely cooked.
  4. Serve over rice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 239mgSodium: 1333mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 29g

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this, tag me on Instagram so I can see @ellenblogs

© Ellen Christian
Cuisine: Chinese / Category: Entree

38 thoughts on “Shrimp in Coconut Milk Sauce Chinese Recipe”

  1. Due to having diabetes I used a unsweetened coconut milk it turned out having no coconut flavor. It needed less cornstarch also.

    Reply

  4. This is a dish that we will just love, it looks awesome!  Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  5. Oooh, I do hope you’ll come over to Food on Friday: Fish & Seafood to bring this to the party! Cheers from Carole’s Chatter

    Reply

  6. This looks so good.  I’m going to have to put this on the weeks menu.  Do you use coconut milk in the can or the refrigerated kind in the jug? I think the canned stuff is usually thicker, if it matters.
    Thanks! 

    Reply

  8. Wow! This is mouthwatering amazing! I would love for you to share this at my party Making Memories Mondays that is going on now! Hope to see you there! 🙂
    Cathy

    Reply

  9. One of my favorite combinations.  Shrimp & Coconut were made for each other.  What a simple dinner idea, I love it!

    Reply

  10. I am going to make this incredible recipe and get all the ingredients on Friday and this recipe is so easy to make and I just love it!!

    Reply

  11. I pinned this on pinterest and then came over for the recipe. It sounds and looks so healthy and good! I am going to make it today 🙂 

    Reply

  12. This dish looks excellent and I could probably manage to make it, too!! I’ll have to bookmark this page and grab some shrimp next week. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

    Reply

  18. This looks absolutely delicious! I don’t eat shrimp myself, but my husband love it. I try to find simple and quick recipes that I can make for him. I know this is one that he is going to just love.

    Reply

  19. I don’t need to eat foods that are gluten free…but either way, this looks delicious. I will definitely be making this soon!

    Reply

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