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5.0 from 27 votes

Asian Grilled Shrimp / Prawns

Whether you make these on your BBQ or in a fry pan, this is a simple but magical combination of ingredients that tastes like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant! Actually, this is a copy of a great dish I had at a restaurant in Sydney called Esther.The nutty flavour of the browned butter pairs perfectly with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce and the freshness of lime. Add a sprinkle of chili for heat! Keep some bread on hand to mop up the glorious juices. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 2 -4
Calories: 262 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

  • 1 lb / 500 g shrimp / prawns (fresh), peeled and deveined (Note 1)
  • 2 garlic cloves , crushed
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup salted butter (or 1/3 cup unsalted butter + big pinch of salt)
  • 3/4 to 1 tsp tsp sweet soy sauce / kecap manis (Note 2)
  • 1 lime , large
Garnishes (all optional)
  • 1 red birds eye chilli , deseeded and finely sliced or chopped
  • Cilantro / coriander leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine shrimp / prawns, garlic and oil in a small bowl, use your fingers to coat then set aside for 15 minutes.
Browned Butter
  1. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small silver fry pan or saucepan over medium heat. (Note 3)
  2. Heat until it starts to foam, then swirl the pan occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
  3. Cook until the butter turns golden, smells nutty and there are brown specks at the bottom (you might need a teaspoon to push the foam aside).
  4. Remove from heat immediately. Pour into a jug, leaving behind most of the bitter brown specks (I strained it - because I was making an effort!).
  5. Set aside until required.
Prawns / Shrimp
  1. Heat the BBQ or fry pan over high heat (no oil).
  2. Add prawns / shrimp and cook until each side is lightly golden brown, but be sure not to overcook! (Note 4)
Serve
  1. Place prawns in a bowl. Grate over the zest of a lime, then cut the lime in half and squeeze over about 1 tbsp of lime juice. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of browned butter, toss gently.
  2. Transfer to a plate. Drizzle with 2 tbsp of browned butter then lastly, drizzle over kecap manis, using as thin a stream as you can.
  3. Serve immediately, garnished with chilli and cilantro/coriander, if using.

Notes

  • This recipe is best suited to fresh prawns, not frozen. It makes enough for 2 as a main or 4 to 6 as a side dish.
  • Kecap Manis is also known as sweet soy sauce. You can buy it at major supermarkets in Australia (Woolworths, Coles) or Asian grocery stores for around $2.
  • OR you can make your own! It is hard to make just the amount required in this recipe so you will need to make a larger quantity. Just combine 1/4 cup normal soy sauce (not light) with 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp brown sugar (or palm sugar) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then allow to simmer until it thickens to a THIN syrup consistency, then remove from the stove (it will continue to thicken as it cools).
  • This makes more than you need but it's hard to make less. Use the leftovers to make my Indonesian Chicken Satay! Or just mix with melted butter and brush onto chicken to bake or panfry. Delicious!
  • Using a silver saucepan makes it easier to see when the butter is golden brown. If you don't have one, just scoop up the butter with a silver spoon to check the colour.
  • How to tell a prawn is perfectly cooked: RAW prawns hang straight. Perfectly cooked prawns form a "C" shape and overcooked prawns are curled in a "O" shape.
  •  Nutrition assuming this serves 4 as a side.

Nutrition Information

Serving 141g Calories 262cal (13%) Carbohydrates 2.4g (1%) Protein 28.7g (57%) Fat 14.7g (23%) Saturated Fat 5.6g (28%) Cholesterol 279mg (93%) Sodium 383mg (16%) Potassium 221mg (6%) Vitamin A 550IU (11%) Vitamin C 0.8mg (1%) Calcium 120mg (12%) Iron 0.4mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2-4

Amount Per Serving

Calories 262

% Daily Value*

Serving 141g
Calories 262cal 13%
Carbohydrates 2.4g 1%
Protein 28.7g 57%
Fat 14.7g 23%
Saturated Fat 5.6g 28%
Cholesterol 279mg 93%
Sodium 383mg 16%
Potassium 221mg 5%
Vitamin A 550IU 11%
Vitamin C 0.8mg 1%
Calcium 120mg 12%
Iron 0.4mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.