Creamy Garlic Prawns
Creamy Garlic Prawns is a quick and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender, fresh prawns cooked in a rich garlic-infused cream sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, this elegant yet comforting meal pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread and is easy to customize with herbs, spices, or dairy-free alternatives. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- Fresh peeled and deveined prawns – 400g (about 14 oz)
- Garlic cloves, minced – 4 large
- Heavy cream – 1 cup (240 ml)
- Butter – 2 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Fresh parsley or herbs (parsley, basil, thyme, or dill), chopped – 2 tablespoons
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
Optional Variations & Additions
- Red pepper flakes or cayenne – 1/4 teaspoon (for spicy kick)
- Lemon zest – 1 teaspoon
- Coconut milk or cashew cream – 1 cup (as dairy-free substitute for heavy cream)
- White wine – 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Prepare the Prawns: Rinse the fresh peeled and deveined prawns under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step helps to ensure they sear properly, avoiding the formation of steam, and guaranteeing a perfect texture.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden, making sure it does not burn.
- Cook the Prawns: Add the prawns to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Sear each side for about 2 minutes until the prawns turn pink and opaque, indicating they are perfectly cooked and tender.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Stir well to combine and allow the sauce to thicken for 2-3 minutes until it becomes velvety and glossy, evenly coating every prawn.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley or your choice of herbs over the prawns to add a fresh, colorful touch that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed prawns for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook prawns to avoid a rubbery texture.
- Cook garlic gently over medium heat to unlock its sweetness and prevent bitterness.
- Choose full-fat heavy cream for the richest sauce.
- Finishing the dish with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar brightens the flavors.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to refresh the sauce if needed.
- Freezing is possible but may cause slight separation of the cream sauce upon thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 recipe (about 150g prawns with sauce)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Prawns, shrimp recipe, garlic cream sauce, quick seafood meal, easy prawn recipe, dinner, gluten free seafood