Easy Garlic Prawns Recipe Without Butter
Quickly create a delicious snack or meal with frozen prawns in just 15 minutes. This easy recipe is butter-free and perfect for a fast, flavorful dish.
Prep Time: 9 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Quick Garlic Prawns Recipe Using Frozen Prawns
This recipe uses frozen prawns, which offer several advantages when you want to quickly make something in your kitchen for a quick snack or even a meal. They save time and effort in preparation as they are often pre-peeled and deveined (dark main central vein removed). They are also available all year round, regardless of the season. In terms of quality, frozen prawns or shrimp are usually frozen shortly after being caught, which helps preserve their freshness and nutritional value.
No butter is used in this quick garlic prawns recipe; instead, oil is used.
Do I Need to Thaw the Frozen Prawns Before Cooking?
Although in many cases, you do not need to thaw prawns before cooking them. Here are some thawing guidelines based on different cooking methods:
- Boiling: You can add frozen prawns directly to boiling water. They will cook quickly and evenly.
- Sautéing: It's generally better to thaw prawns before sautéing to ensure even cooking. You can thaw them by placing them in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes.
- Grilling: Thawing is recommended for grilling to ensure the prawns cook evenly and achieve a good texture.
- Baking: You can bake prawns from frozen, but thawing them first can help achieve a more even cook.
Do I Need to Wash Frozen Prawns Before Cooking?
It is generally a good idea to wash frozen prawns after thawing them. This helps remove any ice crystals, surface contaminants, or residues that may be present. Here are the steps:
- Thaw the Prawns: Place the frozen prawns in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes or thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
- Rinse: After thawing, rinse the prawns under cold running water.
- Dry: Pat the prawns dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before cooking.
Using frozen prawns in this sautéed recipe offers a quick and convenient way to enjoy a delicious meal without the need for butter. The combination of prawns, simple seasonings, and soy sauce provides a flavorful and healthy dish that can be prepared in minutes. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a satisfying meal, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy the simplicity and taste of sautéed prawns with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
- 340 g frozen raw white prawns
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion
- 1 teaspoon chili pepper
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- a pinch of salt and pepper
- a squeeze of lemon juice
Directions
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Prepare your frozen prawns or shrimp by thawing and washing them. Remove excess moisture by drying the prawns or shrimp to prevent them from releasing liquid as you cook.
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Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. While waiting, chop your garlic, onion, and bell pepper.
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When the oil is hot enough, add your chopped garlic. When slightly browned, add the onion and bell pepper, and mix. Then add the prawns to the pan and cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
When the prawn turns pinkish, that's one of the indicators that the prawns are cooked. If you want, you may also check one of the prawns. It should be opaque all the way through when cut, and when touched, it should be firm and a little bit springy (meaning it's soft to touch but maintains a slight bounce when touched gently).
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Add the soy sauce, a squeeze of lemon juice, and pepper to taste. In this recipe, I used soy sauce as the salty flavor for the dish.
Note: If you are not satisfied with the saltiness of the dish, you can add a pinch of salt to suit your liking.
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Remove from heat, then serve.
Tips and Tricks for Making Easy Garlic Prawns Without Butter
- Thaw Properly: Thaw the prawns in cold water for about 15-20 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator to ensure even cooking.
- Pat Dry: After thawing, pat the prawns dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve a better sear.
- Use High-Quality Oil: Substitute butter with high-quality oils like olive oil or avocado oil for a healthy and flavorful alternative.
- Season Well: Season the prawns with salt, pepper, and other spices or herbs to enhance their natural flavor.
- Preheat the Pan: Ensure the pan is hot before adding the oil and prawns. This helps in achieving a good sear and prevents sticking.
- Cook Quickly: Prawns cook very quickly. Overcooking can make them tough and rubbery. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
- Add Aromatics: Incorporate garlic, onions, or bell peppers to add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Deglaze the Pan: After cooking the prawns, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine, lemon juice, or soy sauce to create a quick and flavorful sauce.