Grilled Barbecued Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Lime Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy prawns grilled over high heat served atop fresh greens with a creamy avocado lime dressing for a refreshing Australian-style starter. This australian-inspired seafood ready in about 23 minutes brings together peeled and deveined large prawns, olive oil, minced garlic cloves 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 220 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to high. In a bowl, toss 16 peeled and deveined large prawns with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp chili flakes, and salt to taste.
  2. Step 2: Grill the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and slightly charred, then remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: In a blender, combine 1 medium ripe avocado, 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander, 1 tsp honey, salt and black pepper to taste. Blend until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 4 cups mixed salad greens on four plates. Place 4 grilled prawns on each and drizzle generously with the avocado lime dressing.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately as a light and fresh barbecued prawn cocktail.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Barbecued Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Lime Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 23 minutes (15 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Grilled Barbecued Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Lime Dressing?

Refrigerate any leftover grilled barbecued prawn cocktail with avocado lime dressing in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Barbecued Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Lime Dressing?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Barbecued Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Lime Dressing for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Barbecued Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Lime Dressing?

Australian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.