Barbecued King Prawns with Garlic Butter
In short: Large prawns grilled in their shells until just pink, then tossed in garlic and parsley butter with lemon, a summer and Christmas favorite. It takes about 23 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 23 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 355 kcal
Prawns on the barbecue are a summer ritual in Australia, especially at Christmas, when platters of grilled king prawns sit beside the ham. Leaving the shells on protects the flesh from the heat and keeps the prawns juicy, and a garlic butter does the rest. They cook in a few minutes, so have everything else ready before the prawns hit the grill.
Instructions
- Heat a barbecue or grill pan to medium-high. With kitchen scissors, cut along the back of each prawn shell and lift out the dark vein, leaving the shell on.
- Toss the prawns with the olive oil and salt.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat with the garlic and cook for 2 minutes without browning. Take it off the heat and stir in the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice and chili flakes if using.
- Grill the prawns for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until the shells turn bright orange-red and the flesh is opaque and firm.
- Tip the prawns into a warm bowl, pour over the garlic butter and toss to coat.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges and a bowl for the shells.
Tips
- Do not overcook. Prawns go from tender to rubbery in under a minute, so pull them as soon as the flesh turns opaque.
- No barbecue? Roast the prawns on a tray at 230°C (450°F) for 5 to 6 minutes. Thaw frozen raw prawns overnight in the fridge and pat them dry first.
Questions and answers
Should I leave the shells on prawns when grilling?
Yes. The shell protects the flesh and adds flavor. Cutting along the back lets the garlic butter seep in and makes the shell easy to peel at the table.
How do I know when barbecued prawns are done?
The shell turns bright orange-red and the flesh turns opaque white and firm. For large prawns this takes 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes, but thaw them fully in the fridge and dry them well with paper towels. Wet prawns steam instead of charring.
How long does it take to make Barbecued King Prawns with Garlic Butter?
About 23 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Barbecued King Prawns with Garlic Butter?
About 355 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 355 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
