Grilled Spot Prawns Recipe
Make Grilled Spot Prawns Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Prawns
Marinade / Basting
Finish & Serving
Method
Prawns
- 1
Rinse and Dry
Rinse the spot prawns briefly under cold water and pat them very dry with paper towels. Dry shells help achieve a good sear and prevent steaming.
- 2
Season
Place the prawns in a large bowl or shallow dish. Sprinkle the kosher salt evenly over the prawns and gently toss to coat.
Marinade / Basting
- 3
Make the Basting Mixture
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, combine the olive oil, butter, and minced garlic. Warm gently over low heat (or microwave 20–30 seconds) until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Reserve about 1 tablespoon of this mixture for serving.
- 4
Brush Before Grilling
Using a brush or spoon, lightly coat the prawns with about half of the basting mixture. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to marry and to take the chill off.
Grilling
- 5
- 6
- 7
Grill Prawns
Place prawns directly on the hot grill in a single layer (heads and tails can stay on). Grill for 1.5–2 minutes per side until shells are bright orange, flesh is opaque and just firm, and you have good char marks. Total cook time will be about 3–4 minutes depending on size. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- 8
Finish & Serving
- 9
Rest and Toss
Transfer the grilled prawns to a warm platter. Immediately drizzle the reserved tablespoon of basting mixture over the prawns so the butter and aromatics cling to them. Sprinkle with extra chopped parsley.
- 10
Serve
Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing. Offer extra salt, pepper, or chili flakes at the table. Grilled spot prawns pair well with crusty bread, a simple salad, or charred corn.