Description
This BBQ Grilled Prawns recipe features large prawns marinated in a flavorful blend of garlic, lemon, chili, and smoky paprika, then quickly grilled for a deliciously charred and juicy finish. Perfect for a quick and impressive seafood dish, it’s garnished with fresh herbs and served with zesty lemon wedges.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade and Prawns
- 1 lb (450g) large prawns, peeled and deveined (with tails on)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped (or more for extra heat)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra smoky flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving and Garnish
- Fresh parsley or coriander, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped chili, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey (if using), smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to blend all the flavors evenly.
- Marinate the Prawns: Add the peeled and deveined prawns to the marinade, tossing to ensure each prawn is thoroughly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes, up to 1 hour for more intensity, but avoid longer marinating to prevent the lemon juice from cooking the prawns.
- Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. For charcoal grills, ensure coals are glowing; for gas grills, set to medium-high. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Thread the Prawns (if using skewers): Carefully thread the marinated prawns onto the soaked skewers to facilitate easy grilling and flipping.
- Grill the Prawns: Place the prawns on the grill or grill pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the prawns turn pink and opaque with nice grill marks. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender and juicy.
- Alternative Cooking: If grilling on a stovetop grill pan, cook the prawns for an equal amount of time, turning once to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Remove the prawns from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or coriander and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrusy kick.
Notes
- Do not marinate the prawns for more than 1 hour to avoid them turning mushy from the acid in the lemon.
- Adjust the amount of chili to suit your preferred spice level.
- Wooden skewers must be soaked well to prevent burning on the grill.
- For extra smoky flavor, include smoked paprika in the marinade.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
