Wood-Fired Prawns with Garlic and Chili Butter

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

Succulent prawns cooked over a wood-fired grill, basted with a vibrant garlic and chili butter, evoking the seaside grill experiences from Knysna. This African-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs large prawns, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 African cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your wood-fired grill or outdoor grill to medium-high heat (about 425°F). Toss 16 peeled and deveined large prawns with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Thread the prawns onto skewers for easy grilling. Place them on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
  3. Step 3: While the prawns cook, melt 100g unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped fresh red chili, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Remove the butter from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: Remove prawns from the grill and immediately baste them generously with the garlic chili butter. Serve these smoky prawns hot with crusty bread or a fresh salad.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Prawns with Garlic and Chili Butter take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Wood-Fired Prawns with Garlic and Chili Butter?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Prawns with Garlic and Chili Butter?

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 Wood-Fired Prawns with Garlic and Chili Butter 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 Wood-Fired Prawns with Garlic and Chili Butter?

African 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.

Related recipes