Light Coconut Shrimp Curry Broccoli
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Tender shrimp and crisp broccoli simmered in a light coconut curry — a fragrant, high-protein dish that stays under 400 calories.
Tender shrimp and crisp broccoli simmered in a light coconut curry that stays fragrant without turning heavy. It comes together fast, keeps the protein high, and lands well under four hundred calories. Dinner with flavor, minus the food coma.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 180g raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 🫗 2 cups broccoli florets (about 150g)
- 🫗 2/3 cup (150ml) light coconut milk
- 🫗 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 🫗 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
- 🫗 1 clove garlic, minced
- 🫗 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 🫗 1 teaspoon coconut or avocado oil
- 🫗 1/2 lime, juiced
- 🫗 Salt, to taste
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Heat the oil in a wok or pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and ginger for 2 minutes until soft.
Stir in the red curry paste and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the light coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the broccoli florets and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
Add the shrimp and simmer for 3-4 minutes until pink and cooked through.
Finish with lime juice and salt to taste, then serve hot.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Boiling the light coconut milk hard, which makes it split and curdle.
- ✕
Overcooking the shrimp, which turns them tough and chewy.
- ✕
Skipping the lime, which robs the curry of its bright finish.
🔄 Variations
Swap shrimp for chicken thigh or firm tofu.
Add bell pepper and snow peas for extra color.
Use yellow or green curry paste for a different profile.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
- 📦
Reheat gently on low so the coconut milk does not separate.
💡 Chef Tips
Tip 1: Bloom the curry paste in oil before adding liquid for a deeper, rounder flavor.
Tip 2: Drop the shrimp in last so they stay plump instead of turning rubbery.
Tip 3: Cut the broccoli into even florets so they cook at the same rate.
❓ FAQ
Why light coconut milk? It keeps the curry creamy and fragrant while trimming a large chunk of fat and calories.
Is this curry high in protein? Yes, it delivers about 38g of protein per serving, mostly from the shrimp.
Can I add rice to it? Yes, serve over cauliflower rice or jasmine rice, though the calorie count will rise accordingly.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →