If you're looking for a delicious and easy way to cook prawns, why not try grilling them on the BBQ with a tasty marinade? Prawn BBQ marinade recipes can be simple or complex, but they all have one thing in common: they add flavour and moisture to the prawns, making them juicy and delicious.
Before you get started, you'll need to prepare your prawns. Make sure they're cleaned and deveined, and remove the heads and shells if you prefer. Then, choose your marinade ingredients. Popular choices include garlic, lemon, olive oil, and various herbs and spices. Mix your ingredients together and let the prawns marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to several hours.
When it's time to grill, heat up your BBQ and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. Then, place your prawns on the grill and cook for a few minutes on each side, until they're pink and slightly charred. Serve with your favourite sides and enjoy the delicious flavour of grilled prawns with a tasty marinade.
Key Takeaways
- Preparing your prawns is an important step in making delicious BBQ prawns.
- A marinade can add flavour and moisture to your prawns for a juicier end result.
- Grilling your prawns on the BBQ is a great way to cook them, and there are many different marinade recipes to try.
Preparing Your Prawns
Selecting the Best Prawns
When it comes to preparing prawns for a BBQ, selecting the best prawns is crucial. Fresh prawns are always the best choice, and king prawns are particularly good for this purpose. Look for prawns that are firm and have a pleasant oceanic scent. Avoid prawns that are slimy or have a strong fishy smell.
Deveining and Cleaning
Before marinating your prawns, you need to devein and clean them. This is a simple process that involves removing the digestive tract of the prawns. To devein your prawns, use a sharp knife to make a shallow cut along the back of the prawn. Use the tip of the knife to lift out the vein and discard it. Once you have deveined your prawns, rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining dirt or debris.
Marinating Tips
Marinating your prawns is the key to enhancing their taste and tenderness. To make a simple marinade, mix together olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other ingredients such as herbs, spices, and chillies to create your own unique marinade. Once you have made your marinade, place your prawns in a shallow dish or a large plastic ziplock bag and pour the marinade over them. Make sure the prawns are well coated with the marinade and leave them to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if you have the time.
Remember that prawns are a great source of protein, but they also contain cholesterol, sodium, and potassium. They are also a good source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron, making them a nutritious addition to your BBQ. Just be sure to watch your portion sizes and balance your meal with plenty of vegetables and other healthy foods.
Grilling Techniques
Choosing Your Grilling Method
When it comes to grilling prawns, you have a few options to choose from. You can use a BBQ grill or a grill pan for stovetop cooking. Whichever method you choose, make sure to preheat your grill or grill pan to get it hot before cooking. This will help ensure that your prawns cook evenly and develop a nice char.
Skewering Prawns for the BBQ
Skewering your prawns is a great way to keep them from falling through the grill grates. You can use bamboo skewers, metal skewers, or wooden skewers. If you're using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them on the grill. This will help prevent them from catching fire.
To skewer your prawns, thread them onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each one. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking together.
Achieving the Perfect Char
To achieve the perfect char on your prawns, brush them with olive oil and season them with smoked paprika or your favourite seasoning. This will help give them a smoky flavour and crispy texture.
When cooking on the grill, be patient and don't move your prawns around too much. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they develop a nice char and turn pink and opaque. This will help ensure that they're juicy and charred to perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a simple yet tasty marinade for barbecued prawns?
A simple marinade that works well for prawns is a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, chilli flakes and parsley. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, add the prawns and toss them in the marinade until they are well coated.
How long should prawns be marinated before grilling?
Prawns should be marinated for at least 30 minutes before grilling. If you have the time, you can marinate them overnight for a more intense flavour.
Is it necessary to marinate prawns, and if so, why?
While it is not necessary to marinate prawns, it can enhance their flavour and make them more tender. Marinating also helps to prevent the prawns from drying out during grilling.
Can you give tips on how to grill prawns with their shells on?
Grilling prawns with their shells on can help to keep them moist and prevent them from sticking to the grill. To grill prawns with their shells on, brush them with oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Grill them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and the shells become slightly charred.
What's a good garlic-based marinade recipe for BBQ prawns?
A good garlic-based marinade for BBQ prawns is a mixture of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl, add the prawns, and toss them in the marinade until they are well coated.
Are there any special Indian-style marinades for grilling prawns?
Yes, there are many Indian-style marinades that work well for grilling prawns. One popular marinade is a mixture of yoghurt, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chilli powder. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, add the prawns, and marinate them for at least 30 minutes before grilling.