Shrimp Pulao or Pilaf, also known as Prawn Pulao is the ultimate one-pot meal that you and your family will love! Perfect blend of spices and succulent shrimp, all in one wholesome dish.
Cuisine: Indian
EASE: Easy
Serve with : Raita & Papad
Pros: Whole meal in one pot, perfect for lunch or dinner
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A delicious one pot wonder that has a delicious blend of succulent shrimp, fragrant spices, and fluffy rice.
Sometimes you just need a fast but delicious meal without fuss, without several pots, something that will impress but with least amount of work possible.
This is that dish. You can make it quite easily - in your trusty instant pot or on stove top.
This dish has everything- carb, protein, veggies and it comes together quite easily
We love shrimp. Like we are a shrimp family. I can literally bribe my child with shrimp. Seriously. And that's why this recipe is on our weekly rotation because it checks all the right boxes.
It's the best Indian seafood recipe to have happened to me in a long time!! My usual go to shrimp recipes are Butter Garlic Shrimp or Mangalorean Prawn Sukka and Kerala Prawn Curry
What is Shrimp Pulao?
Pulao, also known as pilaf, is a name for a rice dish. It is made by cooking rice along with spices, Yogurt or stock, and other ingredients such as vegetables, meat, or seafood. In our case we will cook with shrimp.
There are a lot of versions of pulao and it's a very standard indian meal. Every family, every region, makes a version of this in india. I ate pulao at home, almost everyday after school!
Some of the more common pulao recipes are Peas Pulao, Vegetable Pulao, Chicken Pulao. The dish is a lot like paela but with indian flavours.
Ingredients for Shrimp Pulao
Gather Your Ingredients:
- Basmati Rice - older the better
- Shrimp or Prawn
- Onions or shallots
- Tomatoes
- Coconut Milk
- Ginger & Garlic
- Mint and Cilantro leaves
- Lime
- Powdered Spices- Coriander powder, Turmeric and Chilli Powder(or Curry powder)
- Whole spices- Cinnamon,Star Anise,Cardamom,Bay leaf and Cloves
Shrimp
Shrimp is also known as prawns in some regions, are crustaceans that are widely consumed and enjoyed around the world. They are known for their tender meat, mild sweetness, and ability to absorb flavors, making them a popular choice in various cuisines.
Clean and devein the shrimp, removing the shell and digestive tract before cooking. This ensures that the shrimp will be clean and free from any gritty texture.
Most often I buy big shrimp that's already been cleaned and deveined.
Basmati Rice
I recommend using basmati rice to make this pulao. The measurements etc are perfect when using basmati rice.
If you want to use any other type of rice, you will have to adjust the water/liquid quantity.
I don't recommend using brown rice as it takes a lot longer to cook which can make the shrimp overcooked and rubbery.
Spices
I have used the usualy suspects- Turmeric, Chili powder and coriander seeds powder.
Besides these, I have also used whole spices- Cinnamon, Cardamom and Star anise. These spices make a regular pulao to something more fragrant and rich.
If you can't get them, you can also use a teaspoon of garam masala or in the worst case, curry powder. Though curry powder might contain a blend of a lot of other spices along with turmeric , chili powder and coriander seeds. So you will need to leave those out too.
If you have powdered cinnamon, cardamom and star anise, use only ¼ teaspoon of each. You want them to gently flavor the rice, not over power it.
Hot Tip
Soak & wash the rice till you get everything else in order. Soaked rice always cooks softer & fluffier.
Coconut Milk
You could make coconut milk at home, but I find that process quite long and laborious. Instead, use canned coconut milk. I often freeze the excess coconut milk and use it later for things like this pulao or curries.
Substitutions
Coconut Milk - You could use buttermilk instead.
Shrimp - Instead of shrimp, you can use a firm fish instead.
Vegan/Vegetarian - You can use vegetables instead of fish. Look at making the Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani instead.
How to make Shrimp Pulao
Both Instant Pot method and the stove top method of making this pulav take similar amount of time.
The ingredients are pretty simple and the recipe is forgiving. You can substitute the shrimp with prawn if you like.
Instant Pot Method
Step 1: Brown the Onions
Using the SAUTE mode, heat the instant pot. Once hot, add coconut oil. Add the Shallots, onion and green chilies. Sauté till golden brown.(as shown in the picture)
If you can't find shallots, use normal onions.Make sure to brown them well.This will be crucial for the flavour.
This Step takes about 15-18 minutes depending on how thinly sliced your onion is.
Step 2: Making the Masala
Add the tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes. Tip in the spices and roast for about 30 seconds. This helps in releasing the flavors of the whole and ground spices.
Deglaze with water. Add Coconut milk.
Step 3:Pressure Cooking
Add the rice, coriander and mint leaves, Shrimp. Give it a mix.
Cancel the Sauté function.Choose "Pressure Cook" function and set the timer for 6 minutes with the valve at "Sealing" position.Quick Release the pressure.
Fluff the rice with a fork, Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot!
Stove Top Shrimp Pulao
This way is perfect for when you don't have a pressure cooker or instant pot.Also in my experience, the onions brown better and faster on stover top.
Step 1: Brown the Onions
Heat a large pan or pot. This is a one pot recipe, so it should be big enough that it can take all the rice.
Add oil. Once it's heated through, add the shallots, onion and green chilies.
Cook till they are golden brown. This should take about 10-12 minutes depending on the type of pot used.
Step 2: Making the Base Masala
Add the tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes. Tip in the spices and roast for about 30 seconds. This helps in releasing the flavors of the whole and ground spices.
Sprinkle some water if the pan gets too hot and the spices start to burn. Add Coconut milk.
Step 3: One Pot Cooking
To this, add the Shrimp, rice and water.
Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes till the rice is all fluffy.
This can vary depending on your heat, pot and amount of rice.
Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
How to serve Shrimp Pulao
This Pulao goes very well with my Onion Raita and some papad.
If you are serving a crowd, you can add more dishes like Yellow Dal , Goan Chicken Vindaloo or Indian Butter Chicken Curry , maybe a salad like this Cucumber Peanut Salad and some flatbreads like Roti or Naans
More Indian Seafood Recipes
Here are some more Indian Shrimp/ Prawn recipe we have been making in our kitchen.
Easy Shrimp Pulao Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
- ½ Cup Shallots- halved
- ½ Cup Onion chopped ½ large onion
- 1 green chilli optional
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Ginger- grated
- 2 medium Tomatoes- chopped
- 1 Cup Shrimp medium Sized, Cleaned
- 1 Cup Basmati Rice
- 1 Cup Coriander and Mint Leaves
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- ¼ Cup Water
- ¾ Cup Coconut Milk
- Salt to Taste
Spices*
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 tablespoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Chilli Powder
- 2 cloves
- 3 Green Cardamom
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Star Anise
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
Instructions
Stove Top Shrimp Pulao
- Heat the Coconut Oil in a heavy bottomed pan.Add the Shallots, onion and green chillies. Sauté till golden brown.
- To this, add the ginger, garlic and tomatoes.Cook till the tomatoes become mushy and disintegrate.
- Add in the prawn along with coriander powder, chilli powder and turmeric. Sauté lightly for about 30 seconds.
- Next, Add the rice, coriander and mint leaves, cardamom, cloves, bayleaf, lime juice along with the coconut milk. Add ½ Cup of water.
- Season with Salt and bring to boil.
- Cover with the lid and let it cook on low flame for 15 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot!
Instant Pot Method
- Switch on the SAUTE mode.Once hot, add coconut oil.Add the Shallots, onion and green chillies. Sauté till golden brown.
- Add the Ginger and Garlic along with the chopped tomatoes.Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the spices next - coriander powder, chilli powder and turmeric & Whole Spices- cardamom, cloves, bayleaf & Star Anise. Sauté lightly for about 10-20 Seconds.
- Deglaze with ½ Cup water and ¾ Cup of Coconut milk.Cancel Saute
- Add the rice, coriander and mint leaves, and Prawns along with the coconut milk.Season with Salt.Mix everything toghether.Gently press the rice down ,so it is under the liquid.
- Choose "Pressure Cook" function and set the timer for 6 minutes with the valve at "Sealing" position.Quick Release the pressure.
- Fluff the rice with a fork,Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot!
Notes
Equipment
Use a pot that's big enough to hold triple the amount of rice(uncooked) you are cooking. In addition to that, use heavy bottomed pan/pot to make the pulao.Serving
Serve the pulao hot. It is also a great lunch box option as it tastes great at room temperature too. Pulao is usually served with Yogurt or Raita. You can make a simple Onion Raita or make a Boondi Raita. Spices* If you don't have spices on hand, feel free to substitute with Curry powder.Nutrition
More Rice Recipes
Here are some more Rice recipes that you can whip up quickly
Absolutely! While fresh shrimp is preferred for its taste and texture, you can certainly use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them thoroughly and pat them dry before adding them to the pulao.
The general guideline is to use a 1:2 ratio of rice to water. However, this may vary depending on the brand of rice and personal preference. Adjust the amount of water accordingly to achieve the desired texture of the rice.
Yes, you can! To make Shrimp Pulao in an Instant Pot, follow the steps given in the recipe card above.
Cheryl says
Delicious recipe! If I want to double the recipe, is the cooking time the same for the instant pot?