RecipesAustraliaClassic Australian BBQ Prawns

Classic Australian BBQ Prawns

A quintessential Australian Christmas BBQ tradition, these succulent prawns are grilled to perfection with garlic butter and served with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Simple, quick, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time6-8 minutes
Total Time21-23 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyEasy

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 kg Large king prawns (shell on, deveined)
  • 100 g Garlic butter
  • 2 Lemon
  • 1/2 cup Fresh parsley

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the prawns: Using a sharp knife, carefully split each prawn lengthwise down the back, from the head to the tail. Do not cut all the way through; you want to create a butterfly effect. Rinse the prawns under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for even cooking and allows the butter to penetrate.

    ⏱️ 10 minutes
  2. 2

    Preheat your barbecue or grill to medium-high heat (approximately 200-220°C / 400-425°F). Place the prepared prawns, shell-side down, directly onto the hot grill grates. Grill for 3-4 minutes, or until the shells start to turn pink and slightly charred.

    ⏱️ 3-4 minutes
  3. 3

    Flip the prawns so they are flesh-side down. Immediately brush the exposed flesh generously with the garlic butter. Continue to grill for another 3-4 minutes, or until the prawns are opaque, cooked through, and the garlic butter is bubbling and fragrant. Be careful not to overcook, as this will make them tough.

    ⏱️ 3-4 minutes
  4. 4

    Remove the prawns from the barbecue. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the hot prawns. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

    ⏱️ 1 minute

💡 Pro Tips

  • For an authentic Christmas feel, serve on a platter garnished with fresh greens.
  • The key to tender prawns is to avoid overcooking. They are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl slightly.
  • Feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes to the garlic butter for a touch of heat.
  • If you don't have a barbecue, these can also be cooked under a hot grill (broiler) in your oven.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a pinch of red chili flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
  • Marinate the prawns in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before grilling for an Asian-inspired flavor.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving

Caloriesapprox. 280 kcal per serving
Protein28g
Carbs2g
Fat18g
Fiber0g

🏷️ Tags

Classic Australian BBQ Prawns Recipe - Australia | world.food