Description
Char-Grilled King Prawns with Lemon is a vibrant Mediterranean seafood dish that delivers a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and savory flavors. Featuring juicy, marinated king prawns charred to perfection and accented with fresh lemon zest and juice, this recipe is a quick and healthy option for a main course that will delight seafood lovers and grill enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade and Prawns
- 2 pounds king prawns, peeled and deveined with tails on
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili flakes (if using), lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Marinate the Prawns: Add the peeled and deveined king prawns to the marinade bowl. Toss them thoroughly to ensure every prawn is well coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring it is properly cleaned and oiled to prevent sticking.
- Skewer the Prawns: For easier handling on the grill, thread the prawns onto skewers, arranging them evenly spaced to allow heat circulation. This step is optional but recommended for uniform grilling.
- Grill the Prawns: Place the prawns on the preheated grill. Cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes until the prawns turn pink, become opaque, and develop light char marks signaling they are perfectly cooked.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled prawns to a serving platter. Drizzle with extra lemon juice and garnish with fresh lemon wedges. Serve immediately to enjoy the dish while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Do not overcook the prawns as they can become tough and rubbery.
- You can substitute shrimp if king prawns are not available; adjust cooking time accordingly as smaller shrimp cook faster.
- For an authentic smoky flavor, try grilling over charcoal instead of a gas grill or grill pan.
- Ensure prawns are fresh or properly thawed if using frozen for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8 prawns
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
