When it’s hot outside, a light and tasty prawn salad is perfect. This prawn salad recipe is quick and easy, with fresh prawns, crisp greens, and a homemade Marie Rose dressing. It’s great for barbecues or a simple lunch that impresses.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Jumbo prawns provide a delicious seafood base for this refreshing summer salad
- Ready in just 15 minutes, making it a quick and easy option for busy weekdays or weekend gatherings
- Serves 4 as a main dish or 8 as a side salad, perfect for sharing with friends and family
- Packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals
- Versatile recipe that can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences
Why This Quick Prawn Salad Is Perfect for Summer
When it’s hot and sunny, a cool and healthy prawn salad is just what you need. This quick recipe is perfect for summer. It’s full of flavor and good for you.
Health Benefits of Prawns
Prawns are a great source of lean protein, making them good for your summer salad. They also have important vitamins and minerals like omega-3s, iron, zinc, and vitamin E. Eating prawns can help your heart and muscles.
Time-Saving Preparation Tips
- Use pre-cooked and peeled prawns that thaw in 15 minutes.
- Make the Marie Rose sauce ahead and keep it in the fridge. This saves time later.
- Choose easy-to-use veggies like baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
With these tips, you can make a tasty and healthy prawn salad fast. It’s great for a quick summer lunch or dinner.
“Prawns are a fantastic choice for summer salads, as they are light, refreshing, and packed with essential nutrients.”
Essential Ingredients for Your Prawn Salad Recipe
Making a tasty prawn salad needs careful picking of fresh, top-notch ingredients. At its core are the 500g of jumbo prawns, cooked and peeled for the best taste and texture. Add a fragrant garlic butter dressing for a rich, aromatic flavor.
For a balanced salad, mix in creamy avocado and crisp cos lettuce as the base. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or shredded carrot for a burst of freshness.
No prawn salad is complete without Marie Rose sauce. Make this indulgent dressing with mayonnaise, tomato sauce, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a bit of paprika. It makes your salad truly special.
For a fancy touch, use king prawns instead of jumbo ones. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley also add a lovely, herbaceous flavor.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Jumbo Prawns, cooked and peeled | 500g |
| Garlic Butter | As needed |
| Avocado | As needed |
| Cos Lettuce | As needed |
| Cherry Tomatoes (optional) | As needed |
| Cucumber (optional) | As needed |
| Shredded Carrot (optional) | As needed |
| Mayonnaise | As needed |
| Tomato Sauce | As needed |
| Lime Juice | As needed |
| Worcestershire Sauce | As needed |
| Paprika | As needed |
| Dill or Parsley (optional) | As needed |
With these key ingredients, you can make a vibrant, tasty prawn salad. It highlights the freshness of the prawns, fresh vegetables, and the delicious Marie Rose sauce. Impress your guests with this amazing summer dish!
Selecting and Preparing the Perfect Prawns
Choosing the right prawns is key to a tasty prawn salad. Whether you pick fresh or frozen Australian prawns, knowing how to prepare them makes a big difference.
Fresh vs Frozen Prawns
Fresh and frozen prawns both work great in this recipe. If you’re using frozen prawns, thaw them in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. This keeps them tender and juicy.
For raw prawns, make sure they’re cooked well before adding them to the salad.
Proper Thawing Techniques
To thaw frozen prawns, put them in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Don’t use hot water, as it can overcook the prawns. After thawing, dry the prawns with paper towels to get rid of extra moisture.
Cleaning and Deveining Tips
Peel and devein the prawns carefully. Peel off the shell, keeping the tail for a nice look. Then, make a shallow cut along the back to remove the dark vein.
Buying prawns on special and freezing them saves money. With these tips, you’ll be ready to pick and prepare the best prawns for your prawn salad.
Creating the Ultimate Marie Rose Dressing
The secret to a delicious prawn salad is the homemade Marie Rose sauce. It’s a mix of tangy, creamy, and spicy. Making this homemade salad dressing is simple and quick. It’s perfect for busy nights or casual summer gatherings.
To make the ultimate Marie Rose dressing, mix 100 ml (0.5 cups) of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, half a lemon’s juice, and 0.5 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce. Whisk until smooth, then chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
This Marie Rose sauce recipe is very flexible. You can change the amounts of each ingredient to your liking. Want more spice? Add more Tabasco. Need it creamier? Use more mayonnaise. You can experiment with different flavours.
This dressing can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. It’s great for meal prep. You’ll always have it ready when you want a tasty prawn salad.
“The Marie Rose dressing is the true star of this prawn salad. Its balance of flavours really takes the dish to the next level.”
With the Marie Rose sauce ready, you can toss it with fresh greens, prawns, and other salad ingredients. This dressing opens up a world of possibilities. Impress your loved ones with your amazing prawn salad!
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Making a tasty prawn salad is quick and easy. Begin by washing and thinly slicing the crisp cos lettuce. Place the lettuce on a serving platter as a base for the other ingredients. Then, slice the creamy avocado thinly and place it on top of the lettuce.
Cooking the Prawns
To cook the prawns, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add butter. When the butter starts sizzling, add the peeled and deveined prawns. Cook the prawns for 1 minute on each side, until they are pink and opaque. This method keeps the prawns tender and juicy.
Assembly Tips
- Place the cooked prawns on top of the lettuce and avocado.
- Drizzle the homemade Marie Rose sauce over the salad, ensuring even coverage.
- Garnish with a few lime wedges for a refreshing citrus note.
The whole process, from start to finish, takes only 15-20 minutes. This makes the prawn salad a great choice for a quick and fulfilling meal. The mix of crisp lettuce, creamy avocado, and juicy prawns, all in tangy Marie Rose sauce, is perfect for summer.
Fresh Vegetable Combinations That Work Best
Make your prawn salad pop with a variety of fresh veggies. Start with crisp cos lettuce and creamy avocado. Then, add cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and shredded carrot for colour and texture.
For more nutrition, toss in sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds. They add a nutty taste and are full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
Try adding peppery rocket or thinly sliced red onion for a different taste. They contrast well with the prawns’ sweetness. Diced mango or apple can also add a sweet touch.
Choose salad vegetables that match the prawns’ flavour. Mix and match healthy salad ingredients to find your favourite prawn salad.
| Ingredient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Cherry tomatoes | Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants |
| Cucumber | Hydrating and rich in vitamins and fibre |
| Carrot | Crunchy texture and excellent source of beta-carotene |
| Mixed seeds | Provide healthy fats, protein, and a satisfying crunch |
| Rocket (arugula) | Peppery flavour and high in vitamins and antioxidants |
| Red onion | Adds a touch of sharpness and crunch |
| Mango or apple | Introduces a sweet contrast to the savoury prawns |
The key is to choose fresh, crisp salad vegetables that complement the delicate flavour of the prawns.
Make-Ahead Tips and Storage Guidelines
The fresh and flavourful prawn salad is best enjoyed immediately. But, you can make parts of it ahead of time to save effort. Follow these tips for storing and preparing meals.
Proper Storage Methods
Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to a day. Cook the prawns and make the Marie Rose dressing ahead. Store them in airtight containers.
Chop the veggies, except for the avocado, and store them in sealed containers. Assemble the salad just before serving for the best taste.
The Marie Rose dressing can last weeks in the fridge. But, the avocado may brown if prepared too early. Add it just before serving.
How Long It Lasts
The prawn salad stays fresh for up to a day in the fridge. You can prep the prawns, veggies, and dressing a day or two ahead. Just assemble the salad before serving for the best taste.
| Ingredient | Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked Prawns | Refrigerated in airtight container | Up to 3-4 days |
| Chopped Vegetables (except avocado) | Refrigerated in airtight container | Up to 5 days |
| Marie Rose Dressing | Refrigerated in airtight container | Up to 2 weeks |
| Assembled Prawn Salad | Refrigerated, covered | Up to 1 day |
Follow these meal prep and food storage tips. Enjoy the delicious prawn salad anytime with minimal effort and maximum freshness.
Serving Suggestions and Presentation Ideas
Make your prawn salad the highlight of your summer events! Present it on a big platter for a stunning display at BBQs or dinner parties. Serve it with crusty or garlic bread for a complete meal. It’s also great as a starter or with a light soup.
For a fancy touch, use lettuce cups or martini glasses for individual servings. Top it off with extra lime wedges and paprika for a burst of colour. This will make your dish a hit with your guests.
The secret to a great salad presentation is to highlight the fresh ingredients. With a few tweaks, your prawn salad can become the star of summer entertaining.
| Serving Suggestion | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Serve on a large platter | Impressive display for gatherings |
| Pair with crusty bread or garlic bread | Adds a satisfying, carb-based accompaniment |
| Serve as a starter or with a light soup | Creates a more substantial meal option |
| Use lettuce cups or martini glasses | Elegant, individual serving presentations |
| Garnish with lime wedges and paprika | Adds vibrant colour and flavour |
“The secret to a truly impressive salad is in the presentation. With a few simple tricks, you can transform a delicious prawn salad into a visually stunning centrepiece for any summer gathering.”
Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications
This gluten-free salad is super versatile. You can mix and match ingredients to fit your diet. Want something dairy-free, vegetarian, or spicy? This prawn salad recipe can be tweaked to meet your preferences.
For a dairy-free option, swap the garlic butter with extra virgin olive oil when cooking the prawns. It’s a tasty, dairy-free way to prepare them. To go vegetarian, use grilled halloumi or firm tofu instead of prawns. It makes a great seafood alternative.
Looking for a new taste? Try a lime dressing. Mix fresh lime juice, zest, and olive oil for a zesty kick. Or, add a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil for a Thai twist.
Want some spice? Add chilli flakes to the dressing for a kick. You can also add crisp vegetables like cucumber, radish, or bell peppers. They make the salad look and feel better.
Whether you follow a specific diet or not, this prawn salad can be tailored to your liking. It’s a healthy and tasty meal every time.
Conclusion
This fresh and easy prawn salad recipe is perfect for Australian summers. It’s quick to make, healthy, and fits many diets. Serve it as a light lunch, dinner, or part of a big spread. This easy prawn recipe will wow with its tasty prawns, crunchy veggies, and tangy dressing.
It’s a great way to enjoy summer’s flavours without the fuss. This summer salad idea is a must-try for anyone wanting a refreshing dish. It’s perfect for gatherings or a special meal for yourself.
So, why wait? Try this easy prawn salad recipe. Enjoy the vibrant colours, juicy prawns, and tasty dressing. It’s a dish that celebrates the season’s best.
FAQ
What are the key ingredients in this prawn salad recipe?
Can I use fresh or frozen prawns for this recipe?
How do I prepare the prawns for the salad?
How do I make the Marie Rose dressing?
Can I make the salad and dressing in advance?
How long will this prawn salad last?
Can I make any substitutions or variations to this recipe?
Did You Try Our Recipe?
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.