If you're looking to add some flavour to your BBQ prawns, a good marinade is the perfect way to do it. A well-made marinade can take your prawns from simple and bland to juicy and bursting with flavour.
Preparing your prawns for the marinade is key. Make sure they're cleaned and deveined before adding the marinade. This will ensure that the flavours of the marinade penetrate the prawns evenly.
Once your prawns are ready, you can start preparing your marinade.
There are many different marinade recipes out there, from spicy and tangy to sweet and savoury. You can experiment with different ingredients to find a marinade that suits your taste buds.
Key Takeaways
- A good marinade can take your BBQ prawns from simple to flavourful.
- Preparing your prawns for the marinade is important for even flavour distribution.
- Experiment with different marinade recipes to find one that suits your taste buds.
Preparing Your Prawns
If you're planning to cook prawns on the BBQ, there are a few things you need to know about preparing them.
In this section, we'll go over everything you need to know about selecting the best prawns, deveining and skewering, and marinade essentials.
Selecting the Best Prawns
When it comes to selecting the best prawns for your BBQ, you want to look for fresh prawns that are still in their shell. The shell helps to protect the prawn and keep it fresh, so it's best to leave it on until you're ready to cook.
Deveining and Skewering
Before you can cook your prawns, you'll need to devein them.
To do this, use a sharp knife to make a shallow cut along the back of the prawn. Then, use the tip of the knife to lift out the vein and discard it.
Once your prawns are deveined, it's time to skewer them.
You can use either bamboo skewers or metal skewers, depending on your preference.
If you're using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. This will help to prevent them from burning on the BBQ.
Marinade Essentials
To make your prawns really delicious, you'll want to marinate them before cooking.
A simple marinade of olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and chilli flakes is all you need to add flavour to your prawns.
To marinate your prawns, simply mix the marinade ingredients together in a bowl, add the prawns, and stir to coat.
Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The longer you marinate your prawns, the more flavourful they will be.
Cooking and Serving
Mastering the Grill
Now that you have marinated your prawns to perfection, it's time to grill them.
Preheat your BBQ grill to medium-high heat.
Once the grill is hot, place the prawns on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Be careful not to overcook the prawns as they can become tough and rubbery. The prawns should be pink and opaque when they are perfectly cooked.
To add some extra flavour, you can add some wood chips to the grill to create some smoke. This will give your prawns a delicious smoky flavour that will make them even more irresistible.
Accompaniments and Pairings
No BBQ prawn meal is complete without some delicious sides.
A fresh salad, some rice or some crusty bread are all great options to serve alongside your prawns.
You can also make a dipping sauce to add some extra flavour to your prawns. A simple garlic and lemon aioli or a spicy chilli sauce are both great options.
When it comes to pairing your prawns with a drink, a crisp white wine or a cold beer are both great options.
A light and refreshing beer such as a pilsner or a wheat beer will complement the delicate flavours of the prawns perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to marinate prawns for a BBQ?
The best way to marinate prawns for a BBQ is to mix all the marinade ingredients together and then combine them with the prawns.
You can use a shallow dish or a large plastic ziplock bag to marinate the prawns. Make sure the prawns are well coated with the marinade.
How long should I let prawns sit in the marinade before grilling?
You should let prawns sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes to infuse them with delightful flavors. If you have the time, you can leave them to marinate overnight. This will ensure that the prawns are full of flavor and tender when you grill them.
Can you suggest a simple yet tasty marinade recipe for prawns?
Sure, you can try this simple yet tasty marinade recipe for prawns:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then combine with the prawns. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if you have the time.
Is it necessary to marinate prawns before barbecuing?
It's not necessary to marinate prawns before barbecuing, but it does enhance their taste and tenderness.
Marinating the prawns infuses them with delightful flavors and makes them more tender.
What are some flavourful ingredients to include in a prawn marinade for grilling?
Some flavorful ingredients to include in a prawn marinade for grilling are:
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
- Olive oil
- Mirin
- Sesame oil
- Oregano
- Thyme
You can mix and match these ingredients to create your own unique marinade recipe.
How do I properly prepare prawns for grilling to ensure they're full of flavour?
To properly prepare prawns for grilling, start by cleaning and deveining them. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel.
Next, season them with salt and pepper, and then coat them with your chosen marinade.
Finally, grill the prawns over medium-high heat until they turn pink and are cooked through.