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Shrimp Ghee roast, How to make quick Prawn Ghee Roast

This simple and spicy shrimp ghee roast is one of those recipes that comes together quickly but delivers bold, irresistible flavors. Juicy shrimp are coated in everyday spices, roasted in fragrant ghee, and finished with curry leaves and fresh cilantro. No grinding, no elaborate masalas—just a quick, fiery dish that feels indulgent and comforting at the same time.

Perfect for busy days when you want something spicy, aromatic, and satisfying, this shrimp ghee roast works beautifully as a starter or as a side with rice, neer dosa, or chapati. The ghee adds richness, the spices bring heat, and the shrimp cook in minutes—making this a go-to recipe for seafood lovers who enjoy big flavors with minimal effort.

A Bite of History – Shrimp Ghee roast

Ghee roast traces its roots to the coastal kitchens of Mangaluru and Kundapura in Karnataka, where seafood is traditionally cooked with bold spices and generous amounts of ghee. Originally, ghee roast was a special-occasion dish, known for its rich aroma and fiery red color, often made using locally grown red chilies and slow-roasted masalas.

While the classic version involves carefully roasted and ground spice pastes, home cooks over time created simpler, quicker adaptations using everyday spice powders—without losing the soul of the dish. This easy shrimp ghee roast is inspired by that evolution: a modern, fuss-free version that still honors the coastal love for spice, ghee, and fresh seafood.

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Ingredient Roles in Shrimp Ghee roast

Ingredient	Role in the Dish	Possible Substitutes
Shrimp	Main protein; cooks fast and absorbs spices beautifully.	Any prawns, or chicken strips for chicken ghee roast.
Ghee	Gives the signature aroma, richness, and authentic coastal taste.	Butter, or 1 tbsp ghee + 1 tbsp oil.
Red Chili Powder	Adds heat and bright Mangalorean-style color.	Kashmiri chilli powder for mild heat & more color.
Turmeric Powder	Adds earthiness, color, and reduces seafood smell.	Tiny pinch of saffron or skip if unavailable.
Ginger-Garlic Paste	Base flavor that balances heat and enhances aroma.	1 tsp crushed ginger + 1 tsp crushed garlic.
Salt	Enhances flavor and helps marination.	Sea salt or pink salt.
Coriander Powder	Gives warmth and body to the spice blend.	Roasted & ground coriander seeds.
Cumin Powder	Adds earthiness and mild smokiness.	Freshly crushed jeera or skip if preferred.
Fennel Powder	Adds a sweet-spicy coastal aroma that pairs with ghee.	Lightly crushed fennel seeds.
Garam Masala	Adds depth and final warming notes.	Chicken masala or homemade spice blend.
Curry Leaves	Infuses aroma into ghee; essential in South Indian style.	Dried curry leaves (milder) or coriander stalks.
Cilantro	Freshness to balance the richness of ghee roast.	Mint leaves for a refreshing twist.

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Shrimp Ghee roast, How to make quick Prawn Ghee Roast

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: Main / Side DishCuisine: South Indian · Coastal / Mangalorean InspiredDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Resting Time

minutes

A quick and spicy shrimp ghee roast made with everyday spices, roasted in fragrant ghee, and ready in minutes — perfect for busy days and seafood lovers.

Ingredients to make Shrimp Ghee Roast

For Marination
10- 12 nos. 10- 12 Shrimp or prawns, cleaned and deveined (300 g)
½ teaspoon, ½ Turmeric powder
2 teaspoon, 2 Red chilli powder (adjust for spice)
1½ teaspoon, 1½ Coriander powder
½ teaspoon, ½ Cumin powder
½ teaspoon, ½ Fennel powder
½ teaspoon, ½ Garam masala
1 teaspoon, 1 Ginger-garlic paste
Salt to taste
For Roasting
2 – 3 tablespoon, 2 – 3 Ghee
2 sprigs, 2 Curry leaves
2 tablespoon, 2 Chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Directions to make Prawn Ghee Roast

Marinate the prawns
In a bowl, add cleaned and deveined prawns.
Add turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste, salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, fennel powder, and garam masala.
Mix well so the prawns are evenly coated. Set aside for 10 minutes.
Heat ghee
Heat ghee in a wide pan over medium heat. Once hot, add curry leaves and let them crackle to release their aroma.
Roast the prawns
Add the marinated prawns to the pan. Spread them out in a single layer and roast for about 5 minutes, turning once in between, until the prawns are cooked through and lightly roasted.
Finish and garnish
Turn off the heat. Add freshly chopped cilantro and gently toss.
Serve hot
Serve immediately as a starter or with rice, neer dosa, or chapati

Notes

1 cup = 250 ml

Directions to make spicy shrimp ghee roast with step by step images

Marinate the prawns
In a bowl, add cleaned and deveined prawns.
Add turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste, salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, fennel powder, and garam masala.
Mix well so the prawns are evenly coated. Set aside for 10 minutes.
Roast, Finish u0026 Serve
Heat ghee in a wide pan over medium heat, add curry leaves, and let them crackle. Spread the marinated shrimp in a single layer and roast for about 5 minutes, turning once, until cooked through and lightly browned. Turn off the heat, add chopped cilantro, toss gently, and serve hot with rice, neer dosa, or chapati.

Pro Tips to make perfect and tasty Shrimp Ghee roast

Don’t overcook the shrimp: They cook in just 4–5 minutes. Overcooking makes them rubbery.
Use good-quality ghee: This dish relies heavily on aroma, so rich ghee makes a big difference.
Marinate briefly: Even 10 minutes helps the spices penetrate and coat the shrimp evenly.
Cook on medium heat: Helps the spices roast without burning and keeps shrimp juicy.
Add curry leaves early: They must crackle in ghee to release maximum flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with neer dosa, idiyappam, plain rice, or jeera rice.
Pair as a side with rasam rice or curd rice for a comforting, spicy meal.
Serve as an appetizer with lemon wedges and onion slices.
Place over buttery toast for a fusion starter.

FAQs – Shrimp Ghee roast

1. Can I make shrimp ghee roast without grinding any masala?

Yes! This version uses simple spice powders, making it the easiest no-grind shrimp ghee roast recipe.

2. How do I keep shrimp soft and juicy in ghee roast?

Cook them on medium heat and limit the roasting time to 4–5 minutes. This is the key to a soft and juicy shrimp ghee roast.

3. Can I make a spicy shrimp roast with frozen shrimp?

Absolutely. Thaw completely, pat dry, and follow the recipe. This works well for a quick spicy shrimp ghee roast using frozen shrimp.

4. What can I serve with shrimp roast for a full meal?

Neer dosa, chapati, or steamed rice pair perfectly. These are great options if you’re searching for what to serve with shrimp ghee roast for dinner.

5. Can I make shrimp ghee roast ahead of time?

You can marinate ahead, but roast the shrimp only before serving for the best results. Perfect for make-ahead shrimp ghee roast meal prep.

6. Can I reduce the spice level?

Use Kashmiri chilli powder instead of spicy chilli powder for a mild shrimp ghee roast for kids.