Garlic Prawns Recipe

If you’re hunting for a quick, irresistible seafood fix, this Garlic Prawns Recipe might just become your new go-to. I absolutely love how these prawns turn out—bursting with garlicky goodness, perfectly buttery, and with a subtle splash of wine that makes them extra special. Whether you’re cooking for a casual dinner or want to impress guests with minimal effort, stick around because I’m sharing everything you need to nail this classic dish every single time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Garlic Prawns Recipe

• Prawns (shrimp): Opt for peeled and deveined with tails on for the best taste and presentation.
• Cooking/Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning without overpowering the delicate prawns.
• Black pepper: Freshly ground adds a nice subtle heat.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Use quality olive oil; it adds a lovely fruity note and helps with cooking.
• Garlic cloves: Finely minced by hand (not crushed or minced in a tool) to avoid bitterness.
• Unsalted butter: Cubed—this makes it easier to melt evenly and control the sauce.
• Dry white wine: I recommend chardonnay; it cuts through the richness and adds a lively zing.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed always, for that bright citrus punch.
• Fresh parsley: Finely chopped—a fresh garnish that adds color and subtle herbaceous flavor.
• Lemon wedges & bread: Perfect for serving and mopping up the garlicky buttery sauce.

Variations

I love tweaking this garlic prawns recipe depending on what I have at hand or the occasion. Feel free to customize the heat level or swap in herbs you like—cooking is personal, after all.

• Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red chili flakes when adding garlic for a gentle, smoky heat that wakes up your taste buds.
• Herb variation: Swap parsley for fresh coriander or basil if you want something a bit different and fragrant.
• Dairy-free: Simply replace butter with extra olive oil; you’ll still get plenty of flavor and a smooth sauce.
• Seafood upgrade: Mix in scallops or chunks of firm fish for a fancy seafood medley.

How to Make Garlic Prawns Recipe

Step 1: Marinate for Maximum Flavor

Start by placing your prawns in a bowl along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and black pepper. Give them a gentle toss to coat evenly and let them sit for 20 minutes. This simple step helps the prawns soak up seasoning without making them sweat and lose that firm, juicy texture. I learned to keep the marinating time short because any longer and the salt can draw out too much moisture.

Step 2: Prawn Perfection in the Pan

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil’s shimmering but not smoking, add the prawns in a single layer. Cook them for about 1-2 minutes on one side until they start turning pink, then flip. Here’s where many people trip up—don’t add the garlic yet or it will burn and taste bitter.

Step 3: The Garlic and Butter Magic

Around halfway through cooking your prawns, sprinkle in the finely minced garlic. This timing is crucial because garlic cooks fast and burns easily if it goes in too soon. Once garlic smells fragrant (about 30 seconds), add your cubed butter, stirring gently to melt it evenly. Then pour in your dry white wine—this splash not only lifts the flavor but also cools the pan, preventing any burnt bits.

Step 4: Finish with Lemon and Fresh Parsley

Right at the end, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the prawns and toss quickly to combine. The lemon adds that fresh brightness that balances the buttery richness I adore. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for color and freshness, then transfer everything to a warm serving dish. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and lots of crusty bread—trust me, you’ll want every last drop of that sauce!

How to Serve Garlic Prawns Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds a lovely pop of color and a mild herbiness. Sometimes I like to throw a few red chili flakes on top if I’m feeling adventurous or a few twists of fresh black pepper. Of course, lemon wedges on the side are non-negotiable for that extra zing!

Side Dishes

My favorite way to serve garlic prawns is with crusty bread that soaks up the buttery garlic sauce. You could also keep it light with a simple green salad or pair with steamed jasmine rice or garlic butter noodles for something heartier. Whenever I serve it for dinner, my family asks for extra bread every time!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to plate the prawns in a shallow bowl, drizzle the sauce artistically, and scatter microgreens or edible flowers on top. It’s surprisingly impressive for such a simple dish. You could also serve garlic prawns over a bed of risotto or pasta for a fancier presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually pop any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. I’ve found that prawns lose a bit of their texture if stored longer, so best to enjoy quickly. Make sure to strain any liquid from the prawns if you want to keep them from becoming soggy.

Freezing

While you can freeze cooked garlic prawns, I don’t personally recommend it because the texture can get rubbery when reheated. If you do freeze, flash freeze them first on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Use within 1 month for best taste.

Reheating

When reheating, do it gently on low heat in a pan to avoid overcooking. Adding a little splash of water or white wine helps keep things moist. Microwaving tends to toughen the prawns, so I tend to avoid it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I genuinely recommend you give this Garlic Prawns Recipe a try if you love fast, flavorful meals that feel a bit special. When I first made it, the family was hooked instantly—and I keep coming back to it because it’s so reliable and delicious. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques, just fresh prawns, garlic, and some tender loving care. So next time you want an effortless dinner that tastes like a treat, go for this recipe—you’ll thank me later!

Garlic Prawns Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 75 reviews

• Author: Villerius
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Seafood
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Australian

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Description

A simple and flavorful Garlic Prawns recipe featuring succulent prawns cooked in olive oil, butter, garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. Perfect as a main or starter, this dish is quick to prepare and delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 500g / 1lb prawns (shrimp), peeled and deveined, tail on (unpeeled weight 1kg/2lb)
• 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (separated)
• 3 tsp finely minced garlic cloves (~4 cloves) (use knife, not crusher/mincer)
• 40g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 1.5cm / 1/2″ cubes
• 1/4 cup chardonnay or other dry white wine
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (to serve)
• Bread for mopping (optional)

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Instructions

1. Marinate the Prawns: Place the prawns, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and black pepper in a bowl. Gently toss to combine and let the prawns marinate for 20 minutes, but no longer to prevent them from sweating due to the salt.
2. Heat the Pan and Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pan or skillet until shimmering but not smoking.
3. Cook Prawns – Part 1: Add the marinated prawns to the hot pan in a single layer, cooking for 1-2 minutes without stirring to develop a slight sear.
4. Add Garlic and Butter: After the initial sear, add the finely minced garlic and the cubes of unsalted butter to the pan. Stir gently to coat the prawns and help the butter melt evenly without burning the garlic.
5. Add Wine and Lemon Juice: Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, allowing the liquid to bubble and reduce slightly while infusing the prawns with flavor. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the prawns turn opaque and are cooked through.
6. Finish and Garnish: Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the prawns. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and bread for mopping up the delicious garlic sauce.

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Notes

• Use a knife to finely chop the garlic instead of a crusher or mincer to prevent splattering and burning during cooking.
• Add the garlic partway through cooking rather than at the start to avoid burning it.
• A splash of dry white wine adds a depth of flavor and helps prevent the garlic from burning.
• Serves 2-3 as a main course or 4-5 as an appetizer.
• Use fresh prawns for the best flavor and texture.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 220 g
• Calories: 311 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1267 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 343 mg