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These BBQ Prawns with Garlic, Lemon & Chilli will take your summer get-togethers to the next level. The mix of juicy prawns, fragrant garlic, tangy lemon, and spicy chilli makes an amazing flavor combo that'll have everyone asking you how to make them. Using just 5 main ingredients with almost no prep work, this is what I make when I want to wow friends without being stuck cooking all day.
I first threw these prawns together during an unplanned cookout at the beach, and now we can't have summer without them. There's something magical about how the shells get that slight char while keeping the meat inside tender and moist.
Ingredients
- Large prawns with shells on but veins taken out: They stay juicy when grilled and get amazing flavor
- Fresh garlic cloves: Gives that key flavor base; grab ones with tight skin that feel firm
- Fresh chillies: Adds heat you can adjust; red ones are sweeter, green ones are sharper
- Fresh parsley: Adds color and fresh taste; pick bunches with bright green leaves
- Lemon juice and zest: Gives that zingy freshness; pick heavy lemons with smooth, thin skin
- Olive oil: Forms the base of your marinade; worth using good quality extra virgin for better taste
- Salt and pepper: Brings out all the other flavors
Cooking Method
- Get your BBQ ready:
- Put firelighters at the bottom of the BBQ and light them up. Stack charcoal in the middle to make a hot spot. Wait until the coals turn completely white. This takes around 15 minutes and makes sure everything cooks evenly.
- Whip up your flavor sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a pan on medium. Grate in the garlic directly. Finely cut up the chillies and toss them in too. Cook them gently for 2 minutes until they smell good but don't brown. Add the lemon zest and juice, and cook just until the garlic loses its raw taste. Keep an eye on it since garlic gets bitter if it burns.
- Flavor your prawns:
- Take half of your garlic lemon chilli oil mix and pour it over your cleaned prawns. Use your hands to rub the mix under the shells so every prawn gets coated. This really helps the flavor sink in. Let them sit for 5 minutes while your BBQ finishes heating up.
- Cook on the grill:
- Put a clean grill over the white hot coals. When it's hot enough to make things sizzle right away, put your prawns on. Let them cook until they get slightly charred and pink on one side, about 45 seconds to a minute. If flames pop up, sprinkle tiny bits of water to keep them under control.
- Turn and finish cooking:
- With tongs, flip each prawn to cook the other side. They're done when the shells turn bright pinky orange and the meat looks pearly white, about another 45 seconds. Don't cook them too long or they'll get tough.
- Add sauce and serve:
- Move the grilled prawns to a serving plate and right away pour the rest of your garlic lemon chilli sauce on top. The hot prawns will soak up all those warm sauce flavors. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and put out some lemon wedges.
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What really makes this dish special is using good quality prawns. I once made this for my brother-in-law who hates seafood, using prawns I'd bought that morning from our local fish shop. He ended up eating more than anyone else and now asks for them every time he visits.
Storage Tips
These taste best right away, but you can keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Store them in a container that seals tight along with all the sauce. When you want to eat them, warm them up slowly in a pan on low heat just until they're warm. Don't cook them too long when reheating.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can switch things up easily with this recipe. Can't find prawns? Try the same approach with scallops or firm white fish. The garlic chilli sauce works great with chicken thighs too, or even thick slices of halloumi cheese if you don't eat meat. If you can't get fresh chillies, dried chilli flakes work just fine - start with 1 teaspoon and add more if you like it spicier.
Serving Suggestions
These prawns make an awesome starter straight off the grill with some lemon wedges and crusty bread to soak up all that yummy sauce. For a full meal, add a simple green salad and some grilled veggies that can cook alongside your prawns. They go perfectly with a cold glass of white wine like Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc.
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Food Heritage
You'll find grilled prawns or shrimp in seaside cooking all over the world, from Spanish gambas al ajillo to Greek garides saganaki. This way of cooking them comes from Mediterranean traditions, where seafood is usually made simply with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs to let the main ingredient really shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What gives these prawns their flavor?
A combo of garlic, lemon, chilli, and smoky BBQ grilling creates a bold, fresh taste.
- → How should I prep the prawns?
Keep the shells on and devein the prawns. Toss them in the garlicky, chilli-lemon marinade for even coating.
- → What’s the best way to avoid overcooking prawns?
Grill over high heat for just a couple of minutes on each side. Look for the shells to turn orange and meat to be pearly white.
- → Can these be cooked indoors?
Absolutely! An indoor grill or grill pan works too. Preheat to get that same BBQ char flavor.
- → What sides go well with grilled prawns?
Combine with lemon wedges and warm crusty bread, or serve alongside a crisp salad for balance.