What’s the difference between prawns and shrimp when grilling?

Prawns and shrimp are often used interchangeably, but they are technically different species. For grilling, their cooking times and methods are very similar. In the US and Canada, the term shrimp is more common, while prawns are used elsewhere. Both have a mild flavor and firm texture, making them ideal for BBQ. Choose fresh or properly thawed seafood regardless of the name, and cook quickly over high heat to keep them tender and juicy.

Should I marinate prawns before grilling them?

It’s best not to marinate prawns for too long because acidic marinades can draw out moisture, resulting in less juicy grilled prawns. A brief 15-20 minute marination with herbs, garlic, or citrus flavors is enough to add taste without compromising texture. Alternatively, seasoning just before grilling ensures the prawns remain moist and develop a nice char.

How long do prawns need to be grilled on a BBQ?

Grill prawns over high heat for about 3 to 4 minutes total, turning once halfway through. This short cooking time helps develop a golden crust while keeping the inside tender. Overcooking can make them rubbery, so watch closely and remove from heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink.

Can I use frozen prawns for BBQ grilling?

Yes, frozen prawns can be grilled successfully if fully thawed and well-drained before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispy exterior on the grill. Avoid cooking straight from frozen, as the ice crystals can cause uneven cooking and soggy texture.

What’s the best way to keep small prawns from falling through the grill?

To prevent smaller prawns from falling through grill grates, skewer them securely. Use two parallel skewers per row and thread each prawn twice so they stay stable and don’t spin while grilling. Alternatively, grill on a preheated grill basket or use seafood grilling mats for easy handling and even cooking.

Bbq Grilled Prawns Recipe With Crispy Lemon Butter Sauce

Name: Bbq Grilled Prawns
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 90g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter for the lemon garlic butter; – 1/4 tsp salt for the lemon garlic butter; – 3 tsp garlic, very finely chopped (not minced) for the lemon garlic butter; – 1.5 tbsp lemon juice, plus extra to taste for the lemon garlic butter; – 500g (1 lb) large raw shrimp/prawns, peeled and deveined for the shrimp/prawns; – 1 tsp garlic powder for the shrimp/prawns; – 1 tsp smoked paprika (plain or sweet) for the shrimp/prawns; – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper for the shrimp/prawns; – 1 tbsp lemon juice (omit if cooking on stove) for the shrimp/prawns; – 2 tbsp olive oil for the shrimp/prawns; – 1/2 tsp salt for the shrimp/prawns; – 1/4 tsp pepper for the shrimp/prawns; – 1 lemon, halved and grilled if desired optional for serving; – Lemon wedges or slices optional for serving; – 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley optional for serving

Description

🍤 This Crispy Grilled Shrimp recipe offers a perfect balance of bold spices and a buttery lemon sauce, delivering a delightfully crisp texture with vibrant flavor.
🍋 Ideal for quick and impressive meals, it’s perfect for summer barbecues or easy weeknight dinners bursting with freshness.

Ingredients

– 90g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter for the lemon garlic butter

– 1/4 tsp salt for the lemon garlic butter

– 3 tsp garlic, very finely chopped (not minced) for the lemon garlic butter

– 1.5 tbsp lemon juice, plus extra to taste for the lemon garlic butter

– 500g (1 lb) large raw shrimp/prawns, peeled and deveined for the shrimp/prawns

– 1 tsp garlic powder for the shrimp/prawns

– 1 tsp smoked paprika (plain or sweet) for the shrimp/prawns

– 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper for the shrimp/prawns

– 1 tbsp lemon juice (omit if cooking on stove) for the shrimp/prawns

– 2 tbsp olive oil for the shrimp/prawns

– 1/2 tsp salt for the shrimp/prawns

– 1/4 tsp pepper for the shrimp/prawns

– 1 lemon, halved and grilled if desired optional for serving

– Lemon wedges or slices optional for serving

– 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley optional for serving

Instructions

1-Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your BBQ grill on high and brushing the grates with oil to prevent sticking. If your prawns are small, use skewers to keep them from falling through or spinning around.

2-Make the Lemon Garlic Butter: Melt 90g of unsalted butter over medium-high heat, then add the finely chopped garlic and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook until the garlic is light golden brown, then quickly remove from heat and stir in 1.5 tbsp lemon juice for that zesty kick.

3-Season the Prawns: Pat the 500g of prawns dry to ensure they get nice and crispy, then mix them in a bowl with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp lemon juice (if grilling), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.

4-Coat the Prawns and Grill: Toss everything gently to coat the prawns evenly. Now, grill them for 2 minutes per side until they’re golden and crusty, which takes about 4 minutes total.

5-Stove-Top Option: For a stove-top option, skip the lemon juice in the seasoning, heat 1-2 tsp olive oil in a heavy pan over high heat, and cook the prawns in batches to avoid crowding. Once done, reduce the heat and make the lemon garlic butter in the same pan.

6-Serve: Serve the prawns drizzled with the butter sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges don’t forget crusty bread to mop up the extras!

Notes

🔥 Do not season shrimp too far ahead to prevent moisture loss.
🍤 Use large shrimp or secure small shrimp on double skewers to avoid spinning.
⏲️ Avoid overcooking shrimp to maintain tenderness and crispy texture.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilling, Pan-cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 125 grams shrimp with sauce
Calories: 339
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 575mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 355mg

Keywords: Crispy Grilled Shrimp, Lemon Butter Shrimp, BBQ Prawns, Zesty Shrimp