BBQ Grilled Prawns With Crispy Lemon Butter Sauce

Question 1

How do you grill prawns on a BBQ?

Accepted Answer

Preheat your BBQ to medium-high heat, around 400°F (200°C), for direct grilling. Pat 1 lb of large prawns dry, then thread onto skewers (soak wooden ones in water first to prevent burning). Brush with oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon juice. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until pink, opaque, and charred slightly—avoid overcooking to keep them juicy. Flip once using tongs. For extra flavor, baste with butter or a chili-lime mix midway. Serve immediately with fresh herbs. Total time: 10-15 minutes. This method works for gas or charcoal BBQs and yields tender, smoky prawns perfect for summer cookouts.

Question 2

How long does it take to grill prawns on BBQ?

Accepted Answer

Grilling prawns takes just 4-6 minutes total on a medium-high BBQ (400°F). Large prawns (16-20 count per lb) need 2-3 minutes per side; smaller ones 1-2 minutes. Look for shells to turn bright pink, flesh to opaque white, and a slight char—internal temp should hit 145°F. Factors like prawn size, BBQ heat, and wind affect timing, so check early to prevent toughness. Prep tip: Marinate 15-30 minutes beforehand in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for better results. Rest off heat for 1 minute. Quick grilling keeps moisture in, making them ideal for appetizers or mains.

Question 3

What's the best marinade for BBQ grilled prawns?

Accepted Answer

A simple garlic-lime marinade shines for BBQ prawns: mix ¼ cup olive oil, juice of 2 limes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro. Marinate 1 lb peeled/deveined prawns for 20-30 minutes (not longer to avoid "cooking" in acid). Alternative: Asian-style with soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and honey for 15 minutes. Grill as usual. These add bright, smoky flavors without overpowering the sweet prawn taste. Pro tip: Reserve some marinade to brush on during grilling. Yields zesty, restaurant-quality results in under an hour total.

Question 4

Should you devein prawns before grilling on BBQ?

Accepted Answer

Yes, devein prawns before BBQ grilling for better texture and cleanliness. The dark vein is the digestive tract, which can taste gritty or sandy. Use a small knife to slit the back shell lengthwise, pull out the vein with a toothpick or your fingers, then rinse under cold water. For 1 lb, this takes 5 minutes. Peeled prawns skip shell-slitting but still need deveining if visible. Skip for tiny shrimp if time's short, but large prawns benefit most. Post-deveining, pat dry and proceed to marinate/grill. Clean prawns ensure a premium bite every time.

Question 5

What temperature should the BBQ be for grilled prawns?

Accepted Answer

Set your BBQ to 400-450°F (medium-high) for grilled prawns—hot enough for quick sear without drying out. Use a grill thermometer or hand test: hold palm 5 inches above grates for 4-5 seconds. Gas BBQs preheat 10 minutes; charcoal until coals ash over. Too low (under 350°F) makes prawns steamy, not charred; too high burns shells. Grill 2-3 minutes per side. Maintain even heat by closing lid briefly. This temp delivers juicy interiors with crispy edges. Pair with veggies at same heat for easy meals.

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Instructions

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Nutrition