Description
BBQ Grilled Prawns with Garlic, Lemon & Chilli are a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors. The prawns are marinated in a fragrant garlic, lemon, and chili marinade, then grilled to perfection. This easy and delicious recipe is ideal for summer barbecues, quick weeknight dinners, or serving as an appetizer at your next gathering. k
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) large prawns, peeled and deveined (with tails on)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped (or use more for extra heat)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra smoky flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Grilling:
- Fresh parsley or coriander, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped chili, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey (if using), smoked paprika (if using), and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Marinate the Prawns:
- Add the prawns to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes (or up to 1 hour for more flavor). Do not marinate for too long, as the acid from the lemon juice can start to “cook” the prawns.
- Prepare the Grill:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, make sure the coals are glowing and the heat is steady. For a gas grill, set it to medium-high.
- If you’re using wooden skewers to grill the prawns, soak them in water for about 10 minutes to prevent them from burning.
- Grill the Prawns:
- Thread the prawns onto skewers (if using) or place them directly on the grill. Grill the prawns for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque, with nice grill marks. Be careful not to overcook them, as prawns cook very quickly.
- If using a grill pan or stovetop, cook the prawns for the same time, turning once, until they are fully cooked.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, remove the prawns from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or coriander, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chili based on your spice preference. For a milder version, remove the seeds or use a milder chili variety.
- You can also serve these prawns with a dipping sauce like a garlic aioli or a simple yogurt-based dip to balance out the heat.
- These prawns are great as a main dish served with rice or a fresh salad, or as an appetizer with crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4-5 prawns)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 145mg