Pan-Seared Garlic Prawns with Lemon and Parsley
Succulent prawns quickly pan-seared with garlic, finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon and chopped parsley for a light Australian seafood favorite. This australian-inspired seafood ready in about 16 minutes pairs (peeled and deveined) large prawns, thinly sliced garlic cloves, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 1 lb (peeled and deveined) large prawns
- 5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and starts to foam.
- Step 2: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large prawns in a single layer, seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the prawns turn pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently to coat the prawns before serving immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Prawns with Lemon and Parsley take to make?
Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Garlic Prawns with Lemon and Parsley?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Garlic Prawns with Lemon and Parsley?
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 Pan-Seared Garlic Prawns with Lemon and Parsley 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 Pan-Seared Garlic Prawns with Lemon and Parsley?
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.
