Delicious Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce: The Ultimate Flavor Explosion

Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce is a dish that combines fresh, juicy prawns with a rich, aromatic garlic sauce that will leave your taste buds craving more. This easy-to-make recipe is the perfect balance of savory, buttery goodness with a hint of heat, all wrapped in the irresistible fragrance of garlic. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or a casual dinner, Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce is sure to impress and satisfy.

What You’ll Need to Make Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce

Before you start cooking, let’s check out the ingredients for Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce. Don’t worry, nothing too fancy here. Just a few staples that come together to create pure magic.

Fresh Prawns

• Big, juicy prawns are a must for this recipe. You can leave the shells on for extra flavor, or peel them if you prefer a more user-friendly dish. The choice is yours. If you’re using frozen prawns, make sure they’re fully thawed before you start cooking.
• Prawns are not only delicious but packed with essential nutrients. To dive deeper into their health benefits, check out this article on the nutritional benefits of prawns.

Garlic

• You can never have too much garlic when it comes to Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce. Fresh garlic is your best friend here, so don’t even think about using the pre-minced stuff. You want that bold, aromatic punch that only fresh garlic can give.
• Garlic isn’t just a flavor powerhouse it’s also packed with health benefits. To learn more about garlic’s health-promoting properties, take a look at this detailed article from WebMD.

Butter

• Butter is key to the rich, luscious sauce that coats the prawns in Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce. It adds flavor and helps create a smooth, silky texture that’ll make the prawns pop with every bite.

Olive Oil

• A small amount of olive oil prevents the butter from burning and gives the sauce a subtle richness. Plus, it helps keep everything together in perfect harmony.

Soy Sauce

• This adds an umami kick to the sauce for Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce. It’s the secret ingredient that takes it from good to great. You can opt for low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer.

Fresh Lemon Juice

• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds brightness and balances out the richness of the butter and garlic. It gives the dish that zesty freshness that’ll make it sing.

Fresh Herbs

• I’m talking parsley, cilantro, or basil herbs that can elevate the flavor of the dish and add a beautiful pop of color. Fresh herbs give Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce a refreshing finish and really round out the flavor profile.

Chili Flakes

• Optional, but highly recommended! If you like a little heat, chili flakes are a great way to bring in some spice without overwhelming the dish. You can adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.

Salt and Pepper

• Of course, you’ll need salt and pepper to season the prawns and the garlic sauce. Simple, but essential!

The Process: Steaming Prawns to Perfection

Now, let’s get down to business and talk about how to get those prawns perfectly steamed. Here’s the thing: steaming prawns might sound like a no-brainer, but there are some tricks to make sure they stay tender and juicy.

Prep Your Prawns

First, you’ll want to give your prawns a good cleaning. Start by peeling them if you prefer to have them ready to eat, or leave the shells on if you want to maximize flavor. Don’t forget to de-vein them by making a shallow slit along the back and removing the dark vein inside.

Rinse them under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Steaming the Prawns

For the steaming process, you’ll need a steamer basket or any type of steaming setup that works for you. Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Place the prawns in the steamer basket and set it over the pot. Cover and steam the prawns for around 5 to 7 minutes, or until they turn a gorgeous pink color and become opaque.

Pro tip: Be careful not to overcook them! Over-steaming prawns will make them tough and rubbery, and we don’t want that. The moment they turn pink and opaque, they’re done.

Once they’re done, remove them from the steamer and set them aside while you work on that irresistible garlic sauce.

Crafting the Garlic Sauce

Now we get to the good stuff the garlic sauce. This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. If you’ve never made a garlic sauce before, don’t worry! It’s all about getting the balance right between butter, garlic, and seasonings. Here’s how you do it.

Step 1: Melting Butter

In a large pan, melt a generous amount of unsalted butter over medium heat. You’ll want enough butter to coat all those prawns and then some, so don’t be shy.

Step 2: Cooking the Garlic

Once the butter is melted, toss in your freshly minced garlic. Let it cook slowly, stirring occasionally. You want to cook the garlic until it’s golden brown and fragrant—this should only take a minute or two. But here’s the catch: Don’t let it burn! Burnt garlic turns bitter, and you don’t want that. If you notice the garlic darkening too quickly, lower the heat a little.

Step 3: Adding the Soy Sauce and Lemon Juice

Now, add a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce. This adds that deep, savory umami flavor that’s going to bring everything together. Stir it in and let it simmer for about a minute. Then squeeze in some fresh lemon juice to balance the flavors and cut through the richness of the butter.

Step 4: Spice Things Up (Optional)

This is where you can get creative. If you like a little heat, throw in some chili flakes to spice up the sauce. You can always start with a pinch and add more as you go.

Step 5: Simmering the Sauce

Let the garlic sauce simmer for another couple of minutes to really bring all those flavors together. Taste it to check the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. The sauce should taste rich, garlicky, slightly tangy from the lemon, and just the right amount of savory from the soy sauce.

Bringing It All Together

Now, it’s time to combine the prawns with that luscious garlic sauce. Here’s how you do it:

• Toss the Steamed Prawns in the Sauce: Add your freshly steamed prawns into the pan with the garlic sauce. Toss them gently to make sure every prawn gets fully coated in that silky, garlicky goodness. Be careful not to break the prawns apart if you’re using the shell-on variety.
• Garnish: Sprinkle fresh herbs over the top. Parsley and cilantro add a burst of color and freshness that balances out the richness of the sauce. For a little extra flair, you can add more chili flakes or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Serve Immediately: Serve the prawns hot off the stove while they’re still coated in that warm, buttery garlic sauce.

Why This Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite

You might be wondering why you bother making steamed prawns with garlic sauce at home. Why not just order it from a restaurant? Well, let me tell you: this recipe is easier than you think and gives you total control over the flavors. Plus, when you make it yourself, you get the satisfaction of creating a dish that’s both restaurant-quality and personalized just for you.

What’s more, it’s the perfect dish for any occasion. Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, a gathering with friends, or even just a quick, mid-week seafood fix, Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce is flexible and always a hit.

Tips for the Perfect Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce

• Freshness Matters: Always go for the freshest prawns you can find. Fresh prawns will give you a more delicate, sweet flavor that frozen ones just can’t match.
• Customize the Spice: Adjust the chili flakes to your liking. You can even add fresh chili peppers for more intensity.
• Don’t Overcook the Prawns: The key to Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce is in the steaming. Overcooking prawns can make them rubbery, so be sure to keep an eye on them.
• Fresh Herbs Are Key: Don’t skip the fresh herbs. They add a pop of color and a freshness that balances the richness of the sauce.

Conclusion: A Dish You’ll Keep Coming Back To

And there you have it: Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce. This dish is a flavor-packed experience that’s easy to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The prawns are tender, the garlic sauce is rich and aromatic, and the whole thing is completely irresistible.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting to explore the world of seafood, Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce is a must-try. It’s elegant enough for special occasions but simple enough to make any night feel like a celebration. So, go ahead, and treat yourself to this delicious meal you deserve it!

Explore our collection of recipes and tips showcasing the finest and freshest seafood dishes. From succulent prawns to tender fish fillets, discover how to prepare seafood that’s bursting with flavor and nutrition. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, our guides and recipes will help you create unforgettable meals using the freshest catches.

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Delicious Steamed Prawns with Garlic Sauce

recipsworld

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4 people

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Prawns:

• 1 pound 450g fresh prawns, deveined and cleaned
• Pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning

For the Garlic Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cloves fresh garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes optional, for heat
• Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped (for garnish)

Optional Accompaniments:

• Steamed rice or crusty bread for serving
• Lemon wedges on the side

Instructions

 

The Process: Steaming Prawns to Perfection

• Now, let’s get down to business and talk about how to get those prawns perfectly steamed. Here’s the thing: steaming prawns might sound like a no-brainer, but there are some tricks to make sure they stay tender and juicy.

Prep Your Prawns

• First, you’ll want to give your prawns a good cleaning. Start by peeling them if you prefer to have them ready to eat, or leave the shells on if you want to maximize flavor. Don’t forget to de-vein them by making a shallow slit along the back and removing the dark vein inside.
• Rinse them under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Steaming the Prawns

• For the steaming process, you’ll need a steamer basket or any type of steaming setup that works for you. Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Place the prawns in the steamer basket and set it over the pot. Cover and steam the prawns for around 5 to 7 minutes, or until they turn a gorgeous pink color and become opaque.

Pro tip: Be careful not to overcook them! Over-steaming prawns will make them tough and rubbery, and we don’t want that. The moment they turn pink and opaque, they’re done.

• Once they’re done, remove them from the steamer and set them aside while you work on that irresistible garlic sauce.

Crafting the Garlic Sauce

• Now we get to the good stuff the garlic sauce. This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. If you’ve never made a garlic sauce before, don’t worry! It’s all about getting the balance right between butter, garlic, and seasonings. Here’s how you do it.

Step 1: Melting Butter

• In a large pan, melt a generous amount of unsalted butter over medium heat. You’ll want enough butter to coat all those prawns and then some, so don’t be shy.

Step 2: Cooking the Garlic

• Once the butter is melted, toss in your freshly minced garlic. Let it cook slowly, stirring occasionally. You want to cook the garlic until it’s golden brown and fragrant—this should only take a minute or two. But here’s the catch: Don’t let it burn! Burnt garlic turns bitter, and you don’t want that. If you notice the garlic darkening too quickly, lower the heat a little.

Step 3: Adding the Soy Sauce and Lemon Juice

• Now, add a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce. This adds that deep, savory umami flavor that’s going to bring everything together. Stir it in and let it simmer for about a minute. Then squeeze in some fresh lemon juice to balance the flavors and cut through the richness of the butter.

Step 4: Spice Things Up (Optional)

• This is where you can get creative. If you like a little heat, throw in some chili flakes to spice up the sauce. You can always start with a pinch and add more as you go.

Step 5: Simmering the Sauce

• Let the garlic sauce simmer for another couple of minutes to really bring all those flavors together. Taste it to check the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. The sauce should taste rich, garlicky, slightly tangy from the lemon, and just the right amount of savory from the soy sauce.

Notes

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 220
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Cholesterol: 180mg

Keyword Easy Seafood Recipe, Garlic Sauce, Steamed Prawns

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