Silky Garlic Prawns Recipe

Silky Garlic Prawns Recipe: Effortlessly Elegant Seafood Magic

Seafood enthusiasts adore this garlic prawns recipe that brings restaurant-quality magic to your home kitchen.

Succulent, tender prawns dance with robust garlic notes in a rich, silky sauce that promises pure culinary delight.

The perfect blend of simplicity and flavor makes this dish a standout on any dinner table.

Fresh prawns mingle with aromatic garlic, creating a sensational meal that takes mere minutes to prepare.

Butter and herbs enhance the natural sweetness of the seafood, elevating each bite to gourmet heights.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the incredible sauce.

You’ll be transported to coastal dining with this elegant yet effortless prawn preparation that’s sure to impress.

How to Sauté Garlic Prawns to Perfection

  • Prep Prawns

Pat seafood dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.

  • Sear Seafood

Warm skillet on medium heat, melt butter, and cook prawns quickly until they turn pink, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

  • Create Silky Sauce

In the same pan, quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic. Pour in chicken stock, scraping pan’s bottom to capture delicious browned bits.

  • Develop Creamy Base

Lower heat and blend heavy cream with Parmesan cheese, stirring until sauce becomes luxuriously smooth and slightly thickened.

  • Reunite Prawns

Gently return prawns to skillet, splash with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with paprika. Allow seafood to warm and absorb rich sauce flavors.

  • Final Touch

Scatter fresh parsley over dish and serve immediately alongside rice, pasta, or crusty bread for a delectable meal.

Tips for Sauce and Serving Pairings

  • Perfectly Crispy Prawns: Pat prawns completely dry before cooking to ensure they sear beautifully and develop a lovely golden exterior without releasing excess water.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, adding fresh prawns just before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
  • Dairy-Free Twist: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a delicious lactose-free version that still delivers rich, creamy goodness.
  • Spice It Up: Experiment with different spice blends like Cajun seasoning or smoked paprika to transform the classic recipe into a zesty, exciting meal that tingles your taste buds.
  • Low-Carb Option: Replace rice or pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a lighter, keto-friendly dish that doesn't compromise on flavor or satisfaction.

Serve Garlic Prawns as an Appetizer or Main

  • Seafood Pasta Paradise: Toss the creamy garlic prawns over al dente linguine or fettuccine for a restaurant-worthy meal that's both elegant and comforting.
  • Crusty Bread Dipping Delight: Serve with warm, toasted sourdough or baguette slices to soak up the rich, velvety sauce, transforming every bite into a flavor explosion.
  • Zesty Side Salad Companion: Pair with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the prawns and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Mediterranean Rice Bowl Magic: Spoon the prawns and sauce over fragrant jasmine or basmati rice, creating a wholesome one-pot dinner that's both satisfying and visually appealing.

Store Leftover Garlic Prawns

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover creamy garlic prawns in an airtight container within the refrigerator for maximum 2 days. Keep the sauce and prawns together to maintain moisture and flavor integrity.
  • Quick Reheating Technique: Gently warm the prawns in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent sauce separation. Stir carefully to distribute heat evenly without overcooking the delicate seafood.
  • Freezing Wisdom: While cream-based sauces can be tricky, you can freeze this dish for up to 1 month. Separate sauce and prawns before freezing to prevent texture breakdown. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the garlic sauce and prawns earlier in the day, storing separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, quickly reheat and combine for a fresh-tasting meal that saves time during busy evenings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 585 kcal

Servings: 4

Creamy Garlic Prawns Recipe Ingredient Checklist

For Seafood Base:
  • Prawns: Select plump, fresh prawns with a sweet ocean aroma; ensure they're deveined and cleaned for optimal taste and texture.
  • Salt: Enhances natural seafood flavors and helps season the prawns perfectly.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and complements the delicate prawn flavor.
For Sauce Builders:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, velvety foundation for the sauce; choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
  • Garlic: Provides intense aromatic depth; fresh garlic cloves deliver more robust flavor than pre-minced versions.
  • Chicken Stock: Introduces subtle savory undertones and helps create a silky sauce consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, smooth texture and balances the dish's overall richness.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty notes and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire dish with a zesty, fresh accent that cuts through the richness.
  • Paprika: Optional ingredient that adds gentle smoky warmth and beautiful color.
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings vibrant green color and fresh herbal notes to complete the presentation.

Tools That Help Cook Garlic Prawns Fast

  • Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing prawns and creating the creamy sauce.
  • Paper Towels: Perfect for drying prawns before seasoning.
  • Cutting Board: Ideal for preparing ingredients and chopping parsley.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for mincing garlic and chopping herbs.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and scraping pan.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately adding salt, pepper, and seasonings.
  • Serving Dish: Needed for presenting the final creamy garlic prawns.
Print
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Silky Garlic Prawns Recipe

Silky Garlic Prawns Recipe


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4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent garlic prawns from Australia combine rich cream and zesty herbs in this quick seafood delight. Mediterranean influences shine through tender shellfish that promise restaurant-quality flavor you can easily recreate at home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (500g) raw prawns/shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
  • 2 tbsps butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp paprika (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt (to taste)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep Prawns: Pat thawed prawns completely dry with kitchen towels, then season comprehensively with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear Seafood: Heat butter in a spacious skillet over medium flame until golden, then carefully place prawns to caramelize for 2-3 minutes per side until they transform into a delicate pink color. Remove and set aside.
  3. Create Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then deglaze with chicken stock, scraping all concentrated flavor remnants from pan’s surface.
  4. Develop Sauce: Reduce heat and whisk in heavy cream and Parmesan, stirring continuously until sauce reaches a luxurious, silky consistency. Incorporate lemon juice and a hint of paprika for depth.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return prawns to the velvety sauce, allowing them to gently warm and absorb flavors for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately alongside steamed rice, pasta, or crusty bread to capture every decadent drop of sauce.

Notes

  • Prawn Preparation Perfection: Pat prawns thoroughly dry to achieve a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming, which compromises the delicate texture.
  • Heat Control Mastery: Maintain medium heat to prevent butter from burning and ensure even caramelization of prawns without overcooking.
  • Sauce Consistency Secret: Stir sauce continuously and watch for slight thickening to create a silky, restaurant-quality cream sauce that clings perfectly to prawns.
  • Dietary Adaptation Trick: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that maintains creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 439
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 401mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 21g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 31g
  • Cholesterol: 186mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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