Simple Prawn Curry Recipe in Indian Style (Village Style Without Coconut Milk)

Introduction

If you're looking for a simple prawn curry recipe in Indian style (Wikipedia), this is one of my favorite recipes to make at home. It is easy, quick, and made with everyday ingredients that are already in most Indian kitchens.

I grew up eating this village-style prawn curry, especially during the rainy season when fresh prawns were available in the local market. My mother never used coconut milk in this recipe. Instead, she cooked the curry with onions, tomatoes, and simple spices. The result was a light, flavorful gravy that tasted perfect with hot steamed rice.

Many people search for a simple prawn curry recipe in Indian style without coconut milk, and this is exactly that. The curry is rich in flavor without using any cream or coconut milk. If you enjoy homemade food with authentic taste, I think you'll love this recipe.

Cooking Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

500 g fresh prawns, cleaned and washed
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
2 tablespoons mustard oil (or any cooking oil)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilli powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
½ teaspoon cumin powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
Salt to taste
½ cup water (adjust as needed)
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

How to Make Simple Prawn Curry

Step 1: Lightly Fry the Prawns

Heat mustard oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cleaned prawns along with a little turmeric powder and salt.

Fry the prawns lightly for about 2 minutes, turning them once or twice so they cook evenly. You do not need to make them crispy. Just cook them until they change color slightly.

Be careful not to overcook the prawns, as they can become hard and chewy. Once they are lightly fried, take them out of the pan and keep them aside.

Step 2: Cook the Onions

Use the same pan and oil to prepare the curry. The oil already has a nice flavor from the prawns, so there is no need to change it.

Add the chopped onions and cook them over medium heat. Stir occasionally and let them cook slowly until they become soft and light golden brown.

This may take a few minutes, but don't rush this step. Well-cooked onions give the curry a lovely sweet and rich taste.

Step 3: Add Ginger, Garlic and Tomatoes

Add the ginger-garlic paste to the onions and cook for about 1 minute. Keep stirring so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.

Cook until the raw smell of the ginger and garlic goes away.

Now add the chopped tomatoes. Mix everything together and cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. If they are sticking to the pan, add a small splash of water and continue cooking.

Step 4: Cook the Masala

Once the tomatoes are soft, add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and salt.

Mix everything really well so the spices coat the onion and tomato mixture.

Cook the masala on medium-low heat for a few minutes. Keep stirring from time to time and let it cook until the masala becomes thick and you can see a little oil coming out from the sides.

Don't hurry this part. A well-cooked masala is what gives the prawn curry its nice homemade flavor.

Step 5: Make the Gravy

Now pour in the water and mix it well with the masala. You can add more or less water depending on how much gravy you like.

Bring the curry to a gentle boil and let it simmer for about 3–4 minutes. This gives the spices some time to mix into the gravy.

At this stage, the curry should smell really good and the gravy should look nicely cooked.

Step 6: Add the Prawns

Now add the lightly fried prawns back into the pan.

Mix them gently with the gravy so that all the prawns get covered with the masala. Try not to stir too much, as prawns cook quickly and can become tough if cooked for too long.

Cover the pan and cook on low heat for about 5–7 minutes. This allows the prawns to soak up the flavor of the curry.

If the gravy becomes too thick, you can add a little warm water and let it simmer for another minute or two.

Step 7: Finish the Curry

Finally, sprinkle a little garam masala over the curry and add some freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Give it one gentle stir and turn off the heat.

Let the curry rest for 5 minutes before serving. This little resting time helps the prawns absorb more of the masala and makes the curry taste even better.

Serve the prawn curry hot with steamed rice. The simple combination of soft rice and spicy, flavorful prawn curry makes a lovely homemade meal.

My Kitchen Experience

This recipe has been part of my family's kitchen for many years. Whenever I cook prawns, I always fry them lightly before adding them to the gravy. This simple step keeps them soft and juicy instead of becoming rubbery.

I also prefer using mustard oil because it gives the curry a traditional village-style flavor. If mustard oil isn't available, regular cooking oil works well too.

One small tip I learned from my mother is not to cook prawns for too long. They cook very quickly, and overcooking makes them tough. Keeping the cooking time short makes a big difference.

Tips for the Best Prawn Curry Recipe Indian Style

Always use fresh prawns whenever possible.
Do not overcook the prawns.
Fry the prawns lightly before adding them to the gravy.
Cook the onion and tomato masala well for a rich flavor.
Fresh coriander leaves make the curry taste even better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this prawn curry without coconut milk?

Yes. This is a simple prawn curry recipe in Indian style without coconut milk. The onions and tomatoes create a delicious gravy without needing coconut milk.

Can I use frozen prawns?

Yes. Just thaw them completely and wash them before cooking.

What should I serve with prawn curry?

Steamed rice is the best choice. You can also enjoy it with jeera rice, roti, or chapati.

A Final Note

This simple village-style prawn curry is one of those recipes that never disappoints. It is easy to prepare, full of homemade flavors, and perfect for everyday meals. If you enjoy traditional Indian seafood recipes made with simple ingredients, give this recipe a try.

If you make this simple prawn curry recipe in Indian style, let me know how it turned out. I would love to hear your experience and any family tips you use while cooking prawns.