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You are here: Home / Cooking Times / a) 30 mins or less / Pan-fried Garlic Butter Prawns

Pan-fried Garlic Butter Prawns

28th February 2016 - By Michelle Minnaar
This post may contain affiliate links.

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Celebrating Greedy Gourmet’s 9th birthday with a beautiful prawn dish, laced with garlic and butter. Something super simple to make at home!

Fried shrimp in pan

Love seafood? Check out these cookbooks!

  • My Kitchen Table: 100 Fish and Seafood Recipes
  • Fish & Shellfish
  • Rick Stein’s Seafood
  • Nathan Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen
  • Rick Stein: From Venice to Istanbul

Just how exactly do you establish the birthday of a blog? Is it when you register its domain name? Installed the software?

Or only when you published the first post? For me these steps were a few months apart so I’ve settled on the first post published which happened to be in February 2007.

Wow, so much has changed since that first post. I was heavily pregnant at the time with my first child, Gabriel. My world changed forever when he was born.

I still felt like a stranger in a foreign country which I now comfortably call home. We lived in a tiny village where nothing, except gossip, ever happened.

Now I happily live in Chelmsford, a proper city in comparison. I was married, now I’m not. I was in my 20’s. Now I’m in my 30’s.

Although I was proud of my photos at the time, now I’m even prouder. I’m still me but evolved into an even greater version of myself.

Shell on shrimp with heads

What hasn’t changed is this original recipe. It tasted wonderful back then and it still does. Every month or so when my prawn craving hits I visit the local Chinese shop for a box or two or three of frozen prawns. (Top tip: they are much cheaper than in the supermarkets.)

Finding the Chinese shop in Chelmsford proved to be a bit of an adventure and when I finally found it I was aghast that there weren’t any shell-on prawns in stock.

I ended up ordering a few kilos and when I swang by to pick up my prize I was dismayed that they were missing their heads.

“Why do you want the heads?,” the Chinese couple asked me. “Because I eat them,” I replied. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

Here, people from a country renowned for eating dogs, snakes and other dodgy things from a westerner’s perspective, looked at my practices with incredulity.

Whatever. I refuse to be apologetic for loving prawns’ mushy brains, which happened to contain most of the flavour.

Shrimp on a serving dish

A lot of people are put off by the shells and the prospect of getting their hands dirty. Their loss, I say.

Just like meat on the bone has much more flavour than their boneless counterparts, the same counts for shell on and off seafood. I’ve bought boiled up prawns from the shop that tasted worse than cardboard.

Raw, frozen shelled prawns don’t fare much better in the flavour department either. Do yourself a favour and try the shelled version because you’ll never look back again.

As for getting your hands dirty… if you have soap and water close by then there is no issue.

Shellfish lunch

Tiger prawns have this somewhat unappealing blue, grey hue about them. Once they get cooking they turn pink. Before cooking, you will need to devein them – a handy tutorial.

That’s it, folks. I look forward to another year of blogging!

What is your favourite way of enjoying prawns?

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Heads Cooked Prawns

Pan-fried Butter & Garlic Prawns


★★★★★

4.7 from 14 reviews

  • Author: Michelle Minnaar
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 2 1x
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Description

In this garlic butter prawns recipe you’ll learn how to prepare shell-on prawns before pan frying them. It is an easy and quick dinner to prepare any time of the week!


Scale

Ingredients

  • 20 whole shell-on prawns, weighing about 800g (2 lb)
  • 30ml (2 tbsp) butter
  • 5ml (1 tsp) vegetable oil
  • rock salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. With a sharp knife, score down the back of the shrimp. Remove the thin, digestive tract with the tip of the knife. Repeat with the rest of the prawns. Rinse the prawns under running water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Melt the butter, add the oil and generously grind salt in a large frying pan. Add the garlic and prawns, and fry over a high heat, stirring, for 3 – 4 minutes until the prawns are pink. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Notes

Serve on a bed of rice, with green salad and a glass of white wine. To serve more people, simply multiply the ingredients accordingly.

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Fry
  • Cuisine: South African

Keywords: how to cook prawns, garlic butter prawns, pan fried prawns recipe, how to prepare prawns, how to cook prawns in shell

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann Hawley says

    28th November 2007 at 8:16 pm

    Hi Michelle
    I googled South Africans in Southend and your very interesting website came up! I’ll definitely try the Chinese shop in York Road!
    The reason for my search is to find other South Africans / Namibians / Zims to arrange a get-together for the better weather in the new year.
    Are you interested in meeting other South Africans?
    Kind regards
    Ann

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    28th November 2007 at 8:35 pm

    Definitely, Ann! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Shelagh says

    9th December 2007 at 2:55 pm

    Im definately going to track this shop down. Im dying for some decent prawns. I want to laugh when I see the word ‘prawns’ on a menu because what you get are shrimps.

    I am most definately interested in meeting other South Africans. I live in Rochford. How do we go about it?

    Reply
  4. Shelagh says

    9th December 2007 at 2:55 pm

    Im definately going to track this shop down. Im dying for some decent prawns. I want to laugh when I see the word ‘prawns’ on a menu because what you get are shrimps.

    I am most definately interested in meeting other South Africans. I live in Rochford. How do we go about it?

    Reply
    • fred says

      6th January 2011 at 7:36 am

      YES that is so TRUE….for over 15 years I’ve said the same. don’t shops and resturants know between prawns and shrimps????
      Go to south India, they are the best

      Reply
  5. Michelle says

    9th December 2007 at 10:48 pm

    Whoa, more South Africans!

    I need a prawn-fix again, so I’ll have to visit the Chinese shop soon. You’re right about the menus with their “prawns”. When Americans say “shrimps”, they actually mean prawns though. Quite confusing.

    Reply
  6. belle says

    2nd February 2008 at 9:18 am

    Good

    Reply
  7. belle says

    2nd February 2008 at 9:18 am

    Good

    Reply
  8. James says

    25th September 2008 at 9:58 pm

    Ag Ja, how did you end up there anyway?? Anyway for you Saffa prawn addicts in London try Sheperds Bush market. They are not farmed and huge!! Just add garlic, chili, corriander and little ginger and butter and then swicth on the rugby!

    Reply
  9. James says

    25th September 2008 at 9:58 pm

    Ag Ja, how did you end up there anyway?? Anyway for you Saffa prawn addicts in London try Sheperds Bush market. They are not farmed and huge!! Just add garlic, chili, corriander and little ginger and butter and then swicth on the rugby!

    Reply
  10. Charles says

    20th December 2008 at 11:52 pm

    Hi y’all. I am a Rhodie/South African who misses home and our wonderful food big time. I now live in Houston but can not get garlic butter prawns as you can guess. I am glad to find your recipe and will cetainly try it. Found another one a while back but it was not very good, but yours looks just like we used to get in Salisbury and of course Pretoria, CT and Joburg.
    Sleep warm y’all.

    Reply
  11. Chris says

    24th April 2009 at 6:55 pm

    This is amazing – I look up a garlic prawn recipe and the first one that comes up is from a local!
    I know what you mean about Southend – it’s not the best, but I’ll check out that shop in York Road and who knows what other goodies I’ll find.

    If you want a more charming place to buy prawns, make a trip over to Leigh-on-Sea(Old Town)- there’s a Fisherman’s Co-op on Bell Wharf where they sell all sorts of seafood, all freshly caught and not too expensive. There’s also a chip shop nearby to make the trip complete.
    I’m an Aussie and need a prawn-fix fairly often too.
    Cheers,
    Chris

    Reply
  12. Drew says

    16th June 2011 at 11:55 am

    I’m also a saffa who really enjoys sea food and a braai is not complete without decent tiger prawns for me .

    For those saffa’s who are london based like me I can highlly recommend the fishmongers in borough market as they have a very good selection of prawns and other sea food at decent prices with practiclly any size of prawn Your looking for right up to indonesian tiger giants . I’ve also found that though pricey the quality of the meat at the ginger pig butchery which is also at that market is exceptionally good and is one of the few places You can get Tbone from 😀

    Reply
  13. kate says

    18th December 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Howzit!!!! I lived in the UK for about 3 years before coming back to sunny South Africa. We went to Mediterranean Fish market yesterday and bought a big box of prawns – the big juicy south african kind! It’s weird to be home this christmas, swimming and braaing and about to put a few prawns onto the skottle!!

    Reply
  14. Duncan gohl says

    2nd June 2013 at 3:59 pm

    Sadly you haven’t been to Knysna lately…….
    Run down and a pot smokers haven.
    Most of the houses on the Eastern Heads are for sale.
    Very sad as it was our hometown.

    Reply
  15. Richard Eldred Hawes says

    28th February 2016 at 4:19 pm

    Grilled on the barbecue and with a big pot of mayonnaise

    Reply
  16. Alexis Law says

    29th February 2016 at 12:20 am

    Garlic and chilli

    Reply
  17. Tracy Nixon says

    29th February 2016 at 11:00 am

    Bbq’d and served with garlic!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  18. Angie Hoggett says

    29th February 2016 at 11:27 am

    I love them in a sweet chilli jam marinade, I’ve also subscribed via email

    Reply
  19. Marion Smith says

    29th February 2016 at 12:58 pm

    I love a good old prawn cocktail or I like to make Prawn stir fry, these recipes look fab and I would love to be able to try them:), thanks for giving away such a good prize!

    Reply
  20. Iris W says

    29th February 2016 at 2:26 pm

    In a stirfry or grilled with sweet chilli

    Reply
  21. Lucy Major says

    29th February 2016 at 2:33 pm

    As prawn pil pil with garlic oil and chilli on a beach in Spain!

    Reply
  22. [email protected] says

    29th February 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Wow, it looks like you are getting a lot of love from fellow South Africans! These prawns look wonderful, and I’m sure they were just as nice as when you were making them 9 years ago. Happy 9th Blogiversary! I recently celebrated 5 years. No post, but a glass of fizz instead. Long may you keep posting such gorgeous recipes. 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  23. amy bondoc says

    29th February 2016 at 2:34 pm

    I love prawns in pasta

    Reply
  24. Lorna Ledger says

    29th February 2016 at 3:07 pm

    I love them with chilli, and garlic, yum!!!!

    Reply
  25. Gilla01 says

    29th February 2016 at 4:34 pm

    I’ve never had prawns in a restaurant. Are they the same as scampi?

    Reply
  26. darren hay says

    29th February 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Tempura prawns with a sweet chilli dipping sauce

    Reply
  27. Simon tutthill says

    29th February 2016 at 4:44 pm

    It has to be in a gorgeous prawn salad.

    Reply
  28. Emily Knight says

    29th February 2016 at 5:17 pm

    Just like your recipe – sauteed in garlic butter! I love them coated with a coconut panko crumb too…

    Reply
  29. Kristy Brown says

    29th February 2016 at 5:24 pm

    I love them pan seared with garlic and a soon of tomato puree then tossed in wholewheat spaghetti and shredded spinach

    Reply
  30. C Kennedy says

    29th February 2016 at 6:00 pm

    In a prawn cocktail. It’s my favourite starter of all time!

    Reply
  31. Freya Johnson says

    29th February 2016 at 6:12 pm

    For me it would have to be either on the bbq or in a garlicy butter… yum!

    Reply
  32. Freya Johnson says

    29th February 2016 at 6:12 pm

    For me it would have to be either on the bbq or in a garlicy butter… yum!

    Reply
  33. Christine Dodd says

    29th February 2016 at 6:14 pm

    Gambas pil pil

    Reply
  34. Jaelin Farrow says

    29th February 2016 at 6:31 pm

    I love prawns in a chilli and tomato sauce with pasta, or in a curry! But, when I went on holiday to South Africa I had prawns with garlic butter and rice…so good!

    Reply
  35. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    29th February 2016 at 7:03 pm

    I think there are very few things that aren’t improved by garlic and butter. Happy blog birthday, 9 years is a real achievement! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    29th February 2016 at 7:03 pm

    I think there are very few things that aren’t improved by garlic and butter. Happy blog birthday, 9 years is a real achievement! 🙂

    Reply
  37. laura banks says

    29th February 2016 at 8:17 pm

    on a BBQ

    Reply
  38. laura banks says

    29th February 2016 at 8:17 pm

    on a BBQ

    Reply
  39. laura banks says

    29th February 2016 at 8:18 pm

    already subscribed

    Reply
  40. Camilla Hawkins says

    29th February 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Many congratulations on your blog birthday Michelle, here’s to the next 9 yrs and beyond! These prawns are so up my street and I have to admit I have never cooked whole ones but do enjoy eating them when I’m out:-)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  41. Camilla Hawkins says

    29th February 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Many congratulations on your blog birthday Michelle, here’s to the next 9 yrs and beyond! These prawns are so up my street and I have to admit I have never cooked whole ones but do enjoy eating them when I’m out:-)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  42. Claire Blaney says

    29th February 2016 at 10:34 pm

    in a prawn cocktail

    Reply
  43. Ruth Tesdale says

    29th February 2016 at 11:59 pm

    In a stir fry

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  44. Janice Mackin says

    1st March 2016 at 8:31 am

    Prawn Cocktail

    Reply
    • michelle says

      2nd April 2017 at 10:16 am

      Currently I can’t get enough of prawn cocktail!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
  45. Jo Carroll says

    1st March 2016 at 10:17 am

    I really enjoy a lovely Prawn Salad…you just can’t beat it. Prawns, avocado, tomatoes, spring onions and lettuce drizzled with the olive oil and lemon juice. x

    Reply
  46. kellyjo walters says

    1st March 2016 at 12:49 pm

    I just love them pan fried in garlic than I let cook a bit and dip generously in thousand island sauce

    ★★★★

    Reply
  47. Hester McQueen says

    1st March 2016 at 12:58 pm

    I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments. Garlic, butter, and loads of crusty bread; prawn cocktail, risotto, and the other half makes an amazing curry with them.

    Reply
  48. Alex Halliday says

    2nd March 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Such a tasty recipe and so simple too! Looking forward to trying out the others in the book.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  49. Scott says

    2nd March 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Prawn curry, cant beat it.

    Reply
  50. Scott says

    2nd March 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Prawn curry, cant beat it.

    Reply
  51. Scott says

    2nd March 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Prawn curry, cant beat it.

    Reply
  52. Scott says

    2nd March 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Prawn curry, cant beat it.

    Reply
  53. Kat Lucas says

    2nd March 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Butterflied prawns in panko crumbs

    Reply
  54. Meeta says

    2nd March 2016 at 7:13 pm

    Ok you celebrate 9 and I am celebrating 10 … so happy blog birthday to us. I like your style with these gorgeous looking prawns! Michelle keep up the great work and here’s to many more great images and blog birthdays!

    Reply
  55. Melanie Pugh says

    2nd March 2016 at 8:57 pm

    we love a nice paella with prawns, chicken and chorizo.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  56. Maxine G says

    3rd March 2016 at 8:12 am

    In a vodka, tomato and chilli sauce!

    Reply
  57. clair downham says

    3rd March 2016 at 11:26 am

    with lots of garlic thankyou

    Reply
  58. Christine Constable says

    3rd March 2016 at 9:36 pm

    I love prawns fried simply but with a good aioli to dip them in.

    Reply
  59. Richard Tyler says

    4th March 2016 at 12:46 am

    I love them in Chili for that kick 🙂

    Reply
  60. Richard Tyler says

    4th March 2016 at 12:46 am

    I love them in Chili for that kick 🙂

    Reply
  61. Lynsey Buchanan says

    4th March 2016 at 5:09 am

    I like my prawns in a salad

    Reply
  62. Lynsey Buchanan says

    4th March 2016 at 5:09 am

    I like my prawns in a salad

    Reply
  63. Andrew says

    4th March 2016 at 9:01 am

    still looking and sounding so tempting after all these years (well two years in the case of this post, but you know what I mean…)

    ★★★★

    Reply
  64. Barbara Handley says

    4th March 2016 at 1:58 pm

    Prawn cocktails at 60’s nostalgia parties.

    Reply
  65. Barbara Handley says

    4th March 2016 at 1:58 pm

    Prawn cocktails at 60’s nostalgia parties.

    Reply
  66. Elspeth MacMillan says

    4th March 2016 at 9:19 pm

    I just love prawn cocktail

    Reply
  67. Solange says

    5th March 2016 at 1:48 am

    Grilled on the barbecue with garlic

    Reply
  68. Lindsey Jones says

    5th March 2016 at 9:58 am

    I love prawn cocktail with home made crusty bread

    ★★★★

    Reply
  69. Lindsey Jones says

    5th March 2016 at 9:58 am

    I love prawn cocktail with home made crusty bread

    ★★★★

    Reply
  70. Jade Hewlett says

    5th March 2016 at 12:07 pm

    I like prawns in a stir fry

    Reply
  71. Viv says

    5th March 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Paella, for sure!

    Reply
  72. Viv says

    5th March 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Paella, for sure!

    Reply
  73. Viv says

    5th March 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Paella, for sure!

    Reply
  74. Viv says

    5th March 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Paella, for sure!

    Reply
  75. Annette Oliver says

    5th March 2016 at 4:02 pm

    I enjoy prawns best in a curry or stir fry

    Reply
  76. Annette Oliver says

    5th March 2016 at 4:02 pm

    I enjoy prawns best in a curry or stir fry

    Reply
  77. Annette Oliver says

    5th March 2016 at 4:04 pm

    Subscribed to news letter

    Reply
  78. Jenny Jones says

    5th March 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Love my prawns in a Tomato, garlic and herb sauce with pasta

    Reply
  79. GIllian McClelland says

    5th March 2016 at 4:25 pm

    I love to cook King Prawns in batter with a garlic mayo dip

    Reply
  80. Naz M says

    5th March 2016 at 4:40 pm

    I love prawns with rice, I’ve had a king prawn biryani once and it was amazing.

    Reply
  81. Lisa Wilkinson says

    5th March 2016 at 10:07 pm

    In a Laksa 🙂

    Reply
  82. Lisa Wilkinson says

    5th March 2016 at 10:07 pm

    In a Laksa 🙂

    Reply
  83. Joanna Sawka says

    5th March 2016 at 11:39 pm

    love them in paella

    Reply
  84. Emma says

    6th March 2016 at 11:20 am

    Breaded and quite spicy.

    Reply
  85. Julie Camm says

    6th March 2016 at 5:28 pm

    We make spicy breadcrumbed prawns….. lovely with potato wedges and a mayonnaise…

    Reply
  86. Dale Dow says

    6th March 2016 at 6:05 pm

    I love prawn cocktail on a bed of lettuce or in Special Fried Rice

    Reply
  87. Dawn Hull says

    6th March 2016 at 7:12 pm

    Usually in a yummy, spicy curry.

    Reply
  88. Ruth says

    6th March 2016 at 7:33 pm

    I love them with garlic and butter and homemade Rosemary bread

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  89. cheryl hadfield says

    6th March 2016 at 8:40 pm

    Prawn Cocktail

    Reply
  90. Caroline Blaza says

    6th March 2016 at 9:00 pm

    I love prawns in stir frys x

    Reply
  91. Catherine Gregory says

    6th March 2016 at 9:56 pm

    In a stir fry

    Reply
  92. Emma Rawlinson says

    6th March 2016 at 10:05 pm

    I like them in a paella

    Reply
  93. Jason Tolliss says

    6th March 2016 at 11:08 pm

    In a Thai green curry

    Reply
  94. Lisa Mauchline says

    6th March 2016 at 11:30 pm

    King prawns in a curry is my favourite

    Reply
  95. Lisa Mauchline says

    6th March 2016 at 11:30 pm

    King prawns in a curry is my favourite

    Reply
  96. Rosana @ Hot&CHilli Food and Travel Blog says

    7th March 2016 at 10:29 pm

    My best friend is based in Chelmsford too – lovely pictures.
    R

    Reply
  97. Jeanne Horak-Druiff says

    9th March 2016 at 2:11 pm

    Mmmm, garlicky prawns! We were in Plett 2 weeks ago where the Lookout Deck serves them packed tightly into a pint glass as their “pint o’prawns” – fab. Love the look of yours (although I am not a brain-sucker!!) 😉 Happy blogaversary!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  98. FridthjofKalberg says

    21st March 2016 at 3:37 pm

    I love prawns.

    Reply
  99. Heike says

    22nd March 2016 at 3:55 pm

    Prawns are the food of the Gods!

    Reply

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