Prawn Masala with Steamed Rice

Prawn masala with steamed rice is a quick Indian-style curry where sweet, tender prawns sit in a thick onion and tomato gravy scented with ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander and garam masala. The sauce is cooked until concentrated and glossy, giving the prawns a savoury, gently spiced base without needing a long simmer. Basmati rice makes it a complete meal, catching the fragrant gravy while keeping the dish light enough for an everyday lunch or dinner. Fresh coriander at the end adds lift and colour, and the key to the texture is keeping the final prawn cooking brief so they stay juicy rather than firm.
Cuisine style Indian-style home cooking
Spice level Medium
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Layered masala base: Softened onion, ginger, garlic, tomato and ground spices build a savoury gravy before the prawns are added.
  • Fast-cooking protein: Prawns need only a short simmer, making the curry practical for a weeknight meal without sacrificing flavour.
  • Built for rice: The thickened tomato gravy is ideal for spooning over steamed basmati, turning the dish into a complete meal.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For a milder curry: Use a little less garam masala and keep the tomato base well cooked so the flavour stays rounded rather than sharp.
  • To increase the heat: Add fresh chilli or chilli powder with the ground spices, adjusting gradually so the prawns remain the focus.

Timing notes

  • Let the rice steam off the heat: Keeping the rice covered after cooking allows the grains to finish gently and separate more easily when fluffed.
  • Serve soon after cooking: Prawns are best eaten shortly after simmering, while they are still tender and the sauce is hot.

Common mistakes

  • Overcooking the prawns: Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the prawns turn opaque; prolonged simmering can make them rubbery.
  • Letting the masala catch: If the tomato-onion mixture starts to stick before it has thickened, lower the heat and add a small splash of water.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose ripe tomatoes if using fresh: Ripe tomatoes give the gravy better sweetness and body; canned chopped tomatoes are a useful alternative when fresh ones lack flavour.
  • Use peeled, deveined prawns: Prepared prawns keep the cooking quick and make the finished masala easier to eat with rice.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Rice

Prawn masala

Instructions
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  1. Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs mostly clear, then drain. Tip into a saucepan with 300 ml water and 0.5 tsp of the fine sea salt, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and leave covered for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  2. Meanwhile, finely slice the yellow onion. Peel the ginger root and grate it, then crush the garlic. Roughly grate the tomato, discarding the skins if you like.
  3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of the remaining salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until soft and lightly golden. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the grated tomato, ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander and half of the garam masala. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the oil begins to separate at the edges. If it catches, add a splash of water and lower the heat.
  5. Season the prawns with the remaining salt, then stir them into the sauce. Simmer gently for 2 to 4 minutes until the prawns are just opaque and tender. Stir in the remaining garam masala, then take off the heat.
  6. Finely chop the fresh coriander and fold most of it through the prawn masala, saving a little to finish. Serve the prawn masala with the steamed basmati rice and scatter over the remaining coriander.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the prawn simmer gentle and brief; once they turn opaque, take the pan off the heat to avoid a rubbery texture.
  • If your tomatoes are a bit sharp, cook the gravy a few minutes longer to mellow it and concentrate the flavour.
  • If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the prawns are cooked through and piping hot.

Substitutions

  • Replace Tomato with canned chopped tomatoes for convenience; simmer the gravy a few minutes longer to reduce it.
  • Replace Vegetable oil with olive oil for a fruitier finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool the prawn masala and rice quickly, then refrigerate in separate airtight containers. Reheat the masala gently in a frying pan with a splash of water until piping hot, and reheat the rice in a covered saucepan with a splash of water until steaming.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 40min (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Allergens:
    Crustaceans
Beginner friendly

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