Description
Cajun Garlic Tiger Prawns is a fast and flavorful seafood dish combining juicy, tender prawns with bold Cajun spices and aromatic garlic. Ready in under 20 minutes, this low-carb, high-protein recipe delivers a spicy, garlicky punch perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests, served with versatile sides like rice, pasta, or salad.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Tiger prawns: 500g fresh or thawed large prawns, peeled and deveined
- Cajun seasoning: 2 tablespoons (a blend of smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and herbs)
- Garlic cloves: 3 cloves, freshly minced
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Salt: ½ teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon (freshly ground)
Instructions
- Prepare the Prawns: Start by peeling and deveining your tiger prawns if they aren’t prepped already. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure they sear nicely and the Cajun seasoning sticks well, which is key for perfect texture.
- Season Generously: Place the prawns in a bowl and sprinkle evenly with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the minced garlic and toss everything gently so each prawn is well coated with bold flavors ready to burst.
- Cook the Prawns: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned prawns in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes on one side until the prawns turn pink and opaque, then flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes on the other side until fully cooked.
- Add a Touch of Lemon: After turning off the heat, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the prawns and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Give everything a quick toss to combine the citrus freshness with the spicy garlic prawns.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer your Cajun Garlic Tiger Prawns to a serving dish and enjoy while warm and juicy. Pair with your favorite sides for a complete meal.
Notes
- Dry prawns well to ensure they sear perfectly instead of steaming.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to maintain a good sear and prevent sogginess.
- Use freshly made Cajun seasoning or check spice freshness for the best flavor.
- Stick to short cook times as overcooking makes prawns rubbery.
- Add lemon juice at the end to preserve its brightness and avoid cooking the prawns prematurely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun, Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 125g prawns (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: Cajun prawns, garlic prawns, spicy seafood, quick seafood recipe, tiger prawns, low carb, high protein
