Chargrilled Prawn Cocktail with Chilli Mayo and Pistachio Dukkah
Juicy chargrilled prawns served with a spicy mayonnaise and crunchy pistachio dukkah for a modern Australian starter. This Australian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 23 minutes, brings together large raw prawns, olive oil, smoked paprika for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 16, peeled and deveined large raw prawns
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (30 g), roughly chopped roasted pistachios
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups mixed salad leaves
The grilling tools we’d reach for here → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 16 peeled and deveined large prawns with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Grill the prawns for 2-3 minutes each side until pink and slightly charred.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until smooth to make the chilli mayo.
- Step 4: For the pistachio dukkah, combine 1/4 cup roughly chopped roasted pistachios, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: To serve, arrange 2 cups mixed salad leaves on plates, top with the grilled prawns, drizzle generously with chilli mayo, and sprinkle with pistachio dukkah.









