Description
Delight in this vibrant Mediterranean-inspired recipe featuring char-grilled king prawns marinated in lemon, garlic, and smoky paprika. Perfectly cooked on the grill, these succulent prawns offer a smoky char and zesty freshness, making them an ideal main course or appetizer for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 2 pounds king prawns, shells on and deveined
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
To Serve
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Prawns: Rinse the king prawns under cold water and pat them completely dry using paper towels. Place them in a large mixing bowl to get ready for marinating.
- Make the Marinade: In a smaller bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a fragrant marinade.
- Marinate the Prawns: Pour the marinade over the prawns in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly ensuring every prawn is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring it is hot enough to char the prawns without overcooking.
- Grill the Prawns: Place the prawns directly on the grill. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on one side until they turn pink with lovely grill marks, then flip and cook another 2 to 3 minutes on the other side until just cooked through and slightly charred.
- Serve: Remove the prawns from the grill, sprinkle generously with freshly chopped parsley, and arrange on a serving platter. Offer lemon wedges on the side for extra zest at the table. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For more pronounced flavor, marinate the prawns for up to 2 hours but avoid longer as the acids can start curing the seafood excessively.
- These char-grilled prawns complement crusty bread, fresh green salads, or grilled vegetables wonderfully for a complete meal.
- Using skewers can make grilling easier and prevent the prawns from falling through the grill grates.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and dairy-free, fitting well into Paleo diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 pound prawns
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 240 mg
