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Fish, Africa and overseas

Nigerian shrimp fried rice

Nigerian shrimp fried rice is a colorful curry fried rice loaded with shrimp, carrots, bell pepper, and peas. It serves 4, takes 35 minutes, counts as easy, and costs €3.80 per serving. The trick is cooking the rice with curry powder from the start, then drying it well before frying it over high heat.

Tonight it's a little taste of Lagos, with sunshine yellow fried rice, pink shrimp, and crisp little vegetables all over the plate.

Nigerian shrimp fried rice
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.80
Calories per person
430 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Here, the rice isn't just tinted yellow, it's flavored all the way through because the curry powder goes in right from the cooking water. The shrimp bring a sweet, briny bite, while the carrots, bell pepper, and peas stay crunchy against the soft grains. It's a full, colorful plate that feels like a step up from everyday rice dishes.

This is a great pick for a weeknight that deserves a little more effort, quick enough to pull off without stress, yet festive enough to impress. Kids usually love the bright color and the mild, non spicy curry flavor. It also works well for guests, since it looks great on the plate and feels easy to share.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Long grain riceoften in the pantry 320 g
  • Curry powderoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Dried thymeoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Soy sauce 2 tbsp
  • Peanut oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fish counter

  • Peeled shrimp 400 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 2
  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Frozen foods

  • Frozen peas 150 g

Allergens Shellfish

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the rice in salted water with one tablespoon of curry powder and the thyme, then drain it and let it dry. 12 min

    Spread it out on a tray, it loses its steam and won't stick in the pan.

  2. Cut the carrots and bell pepper into small dice, and finely chop the onion and garlic.

    Even dice cook at the same rate and make the dish look better.

  3. Sauté the shrimp with the garlic in a little oil for two minutes, then set them aside. 3 min

    Take them out as soon as they turn pink, they'll finish cooking with the rice.

  4. Cook the onion, carrots, bell pepper, and peas in a large pan, then add the rice, the remaining curry powder, and the soy sauce. 10 min

    Stir fry over high heat, the rice should get lightly crisp in spots.

  5. Add the shrimp back in, toss everything together, and adjust the seasoning.

    Taste before adding more salt, the soy sauce is already quite salty.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use day old long grain rice if you have it, it's drier and holds up better when fried.
  • Don't crowd the pan when frying the rice, work in two batches if needed so it actually fries instead of steaming.
  • Prep all your vegetables and shrimp before you turn on the heat, since the final cooking moves fast and leaves no time for chopping.

The variations

  • Swap the shrimp for sliced chicken, cooked the same way, set aside, then added back at the end.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the shrimp and add chickpeas or firm tofu browned in the pan.
  • For kids, cut the curry powder in half and serve the shrimp on the side for anyone who isn't a fan of shellfish.

What to serve it with

  • A chilled cucumber salad
  • Fried plantain chips
  • Fresh ginger juice

Storage

This fried rice keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It also freezes well, spread flat in a bag, for up to 2 months. Reheat it in a skillet with a splash of water to bring back its texture, rather than in the microwave, which can dry it out.

Questions about this dish

Can you use frozen shrimp?

Yes, just thaw the shrimp ahead of time and pat them very dry with paper towels. Wet shrimp release water in the pan and keep the rice from frying properly.

What rice works best for separate, fluffy grains?

A classic long grain rice is perfect, which is exactly what this recipe uses. The key is draining it well and letting it dry spread out before frying.

Can you make this ahead of time?

You can cook the rice and chop the vegetables the day before, then stir fry everything together at the last minute. Fried rice actually tends to taste better with rice that has rested a bit.

Can you swap the curry powder for something else?

You can use a mix of turmeric and paprika to get the yellow color and a bit of warmth. The flavor will be slightly different but still good.

How long does it take to make a Nigerian shrimp fried rice?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Nigerian shrimp fried rice?

About 430 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Nigerian shrimp fried rice cost?

About €3.80 per serving, or €15.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains shellfish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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