Grilled Garlic Butter & Parsley Prawns
There’s something magical about the scent of garlic sizzling in butter, especially when it mingles with the briny sweetness of fresh prawns. Imagine the charred smokiness from the grill, a burst of citrus, and the freshness of parsley dancing through every bite. These prawns aren’t just food, they’re a little taste of sunshine on a plate, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring quietly on your own. Trust me, you’re going to love this one.
Behind the Recipe
I first fell in love with grilled prawns at a seaside café where the chef simply brushed them with butter, herbs, and garlic before tossing them over hot coals. The smell drifted through the air and had me hooked before I even saw the plate. Since then, I’ve recreated that memory at home countless times, tweaking the balance of garlic and parsley until it felt just right. This recipe is my way of bottling up that coastal charm and serving it in your kitchen.
Recipe Origin or Trivia
Grilling seafood over an open flame has been a tradition across coastal regions for centuries. Mediterranean countries often use olive oil, herbs, and lemon, while Asian coastal kitchens lean on ginger, garlic, and chili. Prawns, in particular, are beloved because they cook quickly and soak up marinades beautifully. Parsley and butter are classic European pairings that give these prawns a timeless feel, making them a favorite from backyard barbecues to fine dining tables.
Why You’ll Love Grilled Garlic Butter & Parsley Prawns
Here’s why this recipe is a total game-changer:
Versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, main course, or even pile them onto pasta or salad.
Budget-Friendly: Prawns deliver a luxurious feel without the hefty price tag of lobster or crab.
Quick and Easy: From prep to plate, this dish takes less than 20 minutes.
Customizable: Add chili flakes for heat or swap parsley for cilantro for a different flavor twist.
Crowd-Pleasing: Few dishes draw people in faster than sizzling garlic butter.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Marinate the prawns in advance, then grill just before serving.
Great for Leftovers: Toss cold prawns into wraps, rice bowls, or even sandwiches.
Print
Grilled Garlic Butter & Parsley Prawns
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
- Diet: Halal
Description
Smoky, garlicky prawns kissed by the grill and glossed with lemony parsley butter. Quick to make, vibrant to serve, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large prawns, shell-on and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 1 lemon, juiced, plus wedges for serving
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium high and lightly oil the grates.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl whisk melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Thread prawns onto soaked wooden or metal skewers to keep them flat and easy to flip.
- Assemble the Dish: Toss prawns in the garlic parsley butter until evenly coated.
- Cook to Perfection: Grill prawns 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink, opaque, and lightly charred.
- Finishing Touches: Brush with a little extra garlic butter and shower with fresh parsley.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer to a warm platter and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Marinate prawns for 15 to 30 minutes for best flavor, avoid longer to prevent a mushy texture.
- Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking and tearing.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes before grilling.
- Season lightly, prawns are naturally briny so taste before adding more salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: grilled prawns, garlic butter prawns, parsley shrimp, seafood, quick dinner, summer grilling, lemon garlic prawns
Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results
To make sure your prawns are irresistible every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Use shell-on prawns for maximum flavor, but devein them for a clean bite.
- Don’t overcook — prawns should turn pink and opaque in just 2–3 minutes per side.
- Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Fresh parsley added at the end keeps the flavor bright and vibrant.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Before firing up the grill, gather these essentials:
Grill or Grill Pan: Brings the smoky char that makes this recipe shine.
Mixing Bowl: For tossing prawns with marinade.
Basting Brush: Helps evenly coat the prawns in garlic butter.
Tongs: Makes flipping the prawns easy without piercing them.
Serving Platter: Show off your juicy prawns in style.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, where each ingredient amplifies the next:
- Prawns: 1 lb large prawns, shell-on and deveined, provide sweetness and succulence.
- Butter: 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, gives a rich base that carries the garlic.
- Garlic: 4 cloves minced, infuses bold aroma and depth.
- Fresh Parsley: 3 tbsp finely chopped, adds freshness and a pop of color.
- Lemon Juice: Juice of 1 lemon, brightens the richness of butter.
- Olive Oil: 2 tbsp, helps balance the marinade and prevent burning.
- Salt: 1 tsp, enhances natural prawn sweetness.
- Black Pepper: ½ tsp freshly cracked, adds gentle spice.
Ingredient Substitutions
Sometimes you might want to switch things up:
Prawns: Substitute with shrimp.
Butter: Use ghee or a plant-based butter for a dairy-free version.
Parsley: Swap with cilantro or dill for a fresh twist.
Lemon Juice: Lime juice works beautifully too.
