Goan Prawn Balchão with Spiced Red Chili and Vinegar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

A fiery Goan prawn pickle cooked in a tangy red chili and vinegar masala, perfect as a flavorful condiment or side dish. This Indian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs raw prawns, peeled and deveined, dried red chilies, mustard seeds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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

• 400 g raw prawns, peeled and deveined
• 8 dried red chilies
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 small piece (2 cm) cinnamon stick
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• to taste salt
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small, finely chopped onion

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak 8 dried red chilies in warm water for 20 minutes to soften. Drain and grind with 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 3 cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick, 6 garlic cloves, and 1 inch ginger piece into a smooth paste using 1/4 cup white vinegar.
2. Step 2: Heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
3. Step 3: Add the red chili and spice paste to the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring frequently until the oil starts to separate and the masala is fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 400 g peeled and deveined raw prawns to the pan, stirring well to coat them in the masala. Cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until the prawns turn pink and are cooked through.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp sugar and salt to taste, cook for another 2 minutes to balance the flavors.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and allow the prawn balchão to cool slightly before serving as a spicy condiment or side with plain rice or bread.