The effect of Si addition on the microstructure and shape recovery of FeMnSiCrNi shape memory alloys has been studied. The microstructure of these alloys remains single-phase austenite (g) up to 6% Si addition and beyond that it becomes two-phase g+d-ferrite. The Fe5Ni3Si2 type intermetallic phase starts appearing into the microstructure after 7% Si and makes these alloys brittle. The amount of shape recovery increases monotonically till 6% Si addition and is proportional to the amount of stress induced e martensite. Alloys containing >6% and <4% Si show poor recovery due to formation of d-ferrite and stress induced a’ martensite respectively. Si addition decreases the stacking fault energy (SFE) of the g phase and resulted in easier nucleation of stress induced e martensite. The amount of athermal e martensite decreases with increase in Si.