What is the main difference between prawns and shrimp?

Prawns and shrimp are often used interchangeably, but they belong to different suborders of crustaceans. The key difference lies in their gill structure, claw size, and body shape. In the US and Canada, the term “shrimp” is commonly used for both, while most other countries use “prawns.” For cooking purposes, both can be prepared similarly, though prawns are generally larger with a slightly sweeter flavor.

How long should I grill prawns on a BBQ for the best results?

Grill prawns on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes total—approximately 2 minutes on each side. Overcooking can make them tough, so aim for an opaque, firm texture with a slight char. Adding a lemon garlic butter sauce after grilling enhances flavor and keeps the prawns moist.

Should I marinate prawns before grilling, and for how long?

It’s best not to marinate prawns for too long as this can draw out moisture and result in a rubbery texture. A quick 5 to 10-minute seasoning with spices, herbs, or a light marinade is enough to infuse flavor without compromising juiciness. Apply seasoning shortly before grilling to maintain the best texture.

What’s the best way to prevent prawns from falling through the grill grates?

To keep prawns secure while grilling, thread them onto skewers—using two parallel skewers per row works well to stabilize the prawns and makes flipping easier. Alternatively, use a grill basket designed for small seafood pieces to avoid losing any prawns through the grates.

How can I serve BBQ grilled prawns for a delicious and appealing meal?

Serve grilled prawns immediately, topped with a drizzle of lemon garlic butter and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for brightness. Include lemon wedges on the side for extra zest. Pair with crusty bread to soak up any remaining sauce and a fresh salad or grilled vegetables for a complete, flavorful meal.

Bbq Grilled Prawns Recipe With Crispy Lemon Butter Sauce

Name: Bbq Grilled Prawns
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 90g unsalted butter; – 1/4 tsp salt; – 3 tsp finely chopped garlic; – 1.5 tbsp lemon juice (plus more to taste); – 500g large raw peeled and deveined shrimp or prawns; – 1 tsp garlic powder; – 1 tsp smoked paprika (plain or sweet); – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; – 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional if cooking on stove); – 2 tbsp olive oil; – 1/2 tsp salt; – 1/4 tsp pepper; – 1 lemon, halved and grilled if desired; – Lemon wedges or slices; – 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

Description

🍤 Enjoy the flavorful and crispy texture of grilled shrimp paired with a tangy, buttery lemon garlic sauce that brightens every bite.
🍋 This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a fresh, elegant meal any day of the week.

Ingredients

– 90g unsalted butter

– 1/4 tsp salt

– 3 tsp finely chopped garlic

– 1.5 tbsp lemon juice (plus more to taste)

– 500g large raw peeled and deveined shrimp or prawns

– 1 tsp garlic powder

– 1 tsp smoked paprika (plain or sweet)

– 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

– 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional if cooking on stove)

– 2 tbsp olive oil

– 1/2 tsp salt

– 1/4 tsp pepper

– 1 lemon, halved and grilled if desired

– Lemon wedges or slices

– 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Prawns Start by peeling and deveining your 500g of large raw shrimp or prawns. Leave the tails on if you like them because they look great on the plate and make for easy handling. Pat them very dry with paper towels. This is crucial because wet shrimp will steam instead of getting that crispy char we all love.

Step 2: Season the Seafood In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Add the optional lemon juice if you are cooking on the stove. Toss the prawns in this mixture until they are evenly coated. Let them sit for about 15 minutes to soak up those flavors.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter While the prawns are marinating, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the finely chopped garlic and let it simmer gently for a minute or two until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and salt. This tangy lemon butter sauce for shrimp is liquid gold.

Step 4: Get the Grill Ready Preheat your BBQ grill to medium-high heat. If you are using charcoal, you want a nice bed of hot coals. If you are using gas, preheat to about 400°F. Clean the grates well and oil them lightly to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Skewer for Success Thread the seasoned prawns onto skewers. Using two skewers per row of prawns helps stabilize them and makes flipping much easier. This prevents them from spinning around when you try to turn them. If you are making the vegetarian version, do the same with your mushrooms or tofu.

Step 6: Grill to Perfection Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side. You are looking for them to turn opaque and develop a slight char. Do not overcook them, or they will become rubbery. If you enjoy other grilled seafood, you might also love these butter grilled wahoo steaks for your next cookout.

Step 7: Finish and Serve Remove the prawns from the grill and let them rest for just a couple of minutes. Place them on a serving platter and drizzle that warm lemon garlic butter sauce all over them. Garnish generously with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce. Dig in while they are hot!

Notes

🔥 Use raw peeled and deveined shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
🍋 Adding fresh lemon juice to both the shrimp marinade and butter sauce intensifies the bright, tangy flavors.
🍞 Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious lemon butter sauce for a complete dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilling or stovetop cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 125g shrimp with sauce
Calories: 250 calories
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 200mg

Keywords: Crispy Grilled Shrimp,Lemon Butter Shrimp,Grilled Shrimp Recipe,Tangy Shrimp Sauce