Discover the best Summer BBQ prawn recipes, tips and hacks. Find out which prawns are sustainable and where to buy wild-caught sustainable prawns this Summer.
How to cook prawns on the BBQ
Wild-caught BBQ prawns are spectacularly popular worldwide for a good reason: they’re quick and easy to cook and taste terrific. So, if you’ve not graduated to cooking creatures with claws and tentacles yet, prawns are a great entry point for the budding backyard chef. Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll have a go-to summer dish to impress friends and family.
Tips to make the most of barbecuing prawns
- Bigger is better for juicier results
- The shell offers some protection from the heat of the BBQ and can keep the prawns from drying out
- De-shelled prawns are easier to skewer and marinate
- For ease of turning, cook prawns on a skewer on medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes per side on the BBQ, flipping them halfway through.
- Prawns should be pink and opaque when cooked
- Try not to overcook them or they can become tough and dry
“For BBQ prawns, I like to leave the prawns whole with the shells on. This helps to protect the flesh of the prawns while grilling and you get a delicious crustacean flavour through the prawn meat. The shells go crispy and can also be edible if you are game! Have the heat on medium, or if cooking over coals let the flames die down before cooking. A nice gentle heat while grilling keeps the prawns tender and stops them going tough!”
Celebrity Chef
How to butterfly prawns ready for the BBQ
- Place the prawns on a stable work surface with the legs facing up. Using scissors or a small sharp knife, cut along from the head to the tail, ensuring not to cut all the way through the prawn.
- Gently press the prawn flat to open up the flesh and expose the inside of the head and body.
- Remove the intestinal tract that is running along the side of the prawn and they are ready to be cooked.
How to butterfly a prawn in 3 easy steps
Marinating prawns to BBQ
Marinating prawns is a great way to add flavour and help with the cooking process.
Two ways to marinate your prawns
- With a sauce: Marinate in a spicy Cajun barbecue sauce, Singaporean-style satay sauce, or fragrant harissa, and serve on nutty wild rice.
- With alcohol: Alternatively, add a splash of tequila or rum to a basic olive oil and citrus marinade and serve with spring onion and tarragon mayonnaise.
Choosing wild-caught sustainable prawns
Half of all wild-caught prawns in Australian waters are MSC certified sustainable.
Sustainable prawns have been caught in a way that means there’s plenty more in the sea now and in the future.
Just look for the MSC blue fish tick label. You'll find the label either on the packaging, menu or seafood counter ticket.
The price shown is illustrative and subject to change.
BBQ prawns recipes
Check out these delicious BBQ prawn recipes created by top chefs.
Your guide to sustainable seafood
Where to buy, what to look for and the questions to ask.