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28 delicious prawn recipes for year-round seafood dinners

Salads, curries and noodle dishes filled with sweet, meaty prawns.

Prawns are seen as a summer staple, but they’re actually available year-round. For winter warmers, easy curries and stir fries are perfect with prawns. And in the hot weather, nothing beats a prawn cocktail or fresh prawn and mango salad. During Easter, a prawn dish on a no-meat Friday is ideal!

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If you need inspiration for your next prawn-filled dinner, here are 28 different recipes to try:

tomato and prawn curry with crunchy prawns with head still on herbs on top in a black bowl
(Photography: Tim Roberts, Styling: Michele Cranston)

Clarissa Feildel’s light and fragrant curry works perfectly for the start of autumn. You’ll love the bright and zingy curry paste made from ginger and lemongrass, but it’s the delicious prawns that will keep you going back for more.

(Photography Tim Roberts  Styling Michele Cranston)

If you’re looking for a meal that feels vibrant and impressive but comes together in just 30 minutes, this chargrilled prawn and cauliflower salad is it. It’s the kind of dish that looks like it took far longer than it did – ideal for weeknights or casual entertaining.

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Light, fresh and surprisingly filling, this tomato, prawn and avo bagel salad is the kind of healthy summer lunch that actually satisfies. Think juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, sweet prawns and chewy bagel pieces for that carb hit, tossed together for something that feels indulgent but still light.

This is a dish that turns humble prawn shells into a deeply flavourful, silky bisque. Whether you’re looking to impress at dinner or treat yourself to a gourmet indulgence, these noodles deliver in no time.

prawn and black bean salad in bowl with pepper shaker behind it
(Photography: Ella Miller and Kim Lightbody, Styling: Troy Willi and Esther Clark)

Prawns are an Aussie summer staple, as is not turning the oven on as much as possible. This no-cook salad is filled with protein from prawns and lots of black beans, with fresh herbs, hot sauce and lime adding that extra bit of zing.

Nicole Maguire knows how to get dinner on the table in a flash. These crispy bang bang prawn tacos are the perfect quick meal that actually tastes good. These are a family favourite in her house, and soon to be in yours too!

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prawn toast on a white plate and colourful table cloth
(Photography: Tim Roberts, styling Michele Cranston, preparation Ismat Awan, recipes Kim Coverdale)

These bite-sized delights bring a touch of sophistication to the table, offering a perfect balance of crispy pastry and savoury prawn filling. Not only are they a feast for the eyes, but their flavour will have your guests coming back for more.

With a marinade featuring coconut cream and red curry paste, Clarissa’s grilled prawn skewers recipe is delicious. Don’t let anything go to waste; there’s a beautiful dipping sauce from the leftovers of the marinade.

clariss's hokkien noodle recipe
(Credits: Photography: Alan Jensen)

Traditional and delicious—Clarissa’s Hokkien noodles recipe with chicken and prawns ticks all the boxes. And the beauty of this dish is that, depending on your family’s tastes, you can easily swap some ingredients to satisfy everyone.  

Prawn and chorizo are the perfect mix of smoky and seafood. And the cherry on top? A sour cream and chive dressing that ties all the flavours together. This is a summer salad you, your family, your friends and your houseguests will never forget!

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mexican grilled corn and prawn salad

Now this is the ultimate prawn salad. Cook your prawns, capsicum and corn on the barbie before tossing them with fresh avo and smoky harissa mayo for a delicious spicy kick. It’s summer in a bowl.

prawn cups

Karen Martini’s prawn, basil and corn salad is served with a creamy mayo, yoghurt and lemon dressing, and it’s absolutely delicious. Serve in your favourite fancy glassware for that added level of fun.

prawn-cocktail-sliders

These mini burgers make the most of summery seafood, fresh lettuce and creamy avo. Add an easy-as homemade tangy sauce and you’ll have a sure-fire crowd-pleaser!

bloody-mary-king-prawn-cocktails

A retro starter meets a classic cocktail in this dish. Make the sauce like the drink – Worcestershire and all – then drizzle over juicy prawns and crispy bacon piled on cos lettuce with a celery and avocado salad.

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Prawn and mango salad

Pick your party starter! Featuring a creamy dressing and candied pecans this versatile recipe gives you the option of a seafood salad, retro prawn cocktail or scrummy baguette bites.

prawn and hot salmon risotto recipe

This delectable prawn and smoked salmon risotto recipe combines the richness of hot smoked salmon with the succulence of prawn meat, all brought together in a creamy, lemon-infused risotto.

prawn-cocktail

Karen Martini has done it again with a prawn cocktail that she’s jazzed up with spicy, warming chorizo. The salty kick from this new addition complements this creamy, sweet retro starter.

Garlic sizzle prawns with haloumi and almonds

Fast Ed sure knows how to celebrate an occasion using delicious food. This garlic prawns dish with haloumi, honey, almonds and loads of fresh herbs is truly incredible.

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Ready in just 10 minutes and bursting with the freshest flavours, including in-season stone fruit, creamy mozzarella and prawns, it’s quite simply summer on a plate.

Seafood pasta always looks impressive but is so simple to prepare. You can get this light and creamy dish on the table in just 20 minutes. Perfect when you’re entertaining!

Mango and chilli prawn cups

Small serves are best for a crowd – these sweet yet spicy cups are great to share. Use this recipe for your next dinner party or celebratory affair. They’ll disappear in a flash!

Grilled prawns with sweet corn and caramelised coconut dressing

Chargrilled corn kernels, barbecued whole prawns and deep-fried rice paper crisps make this a main to remember. The grilled prawns are served with sweet corn and a caramelised coconut dressing, making this an Asian-style seafood salad perfect for a summer night.

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Bang-Bang prawns with sweet chilli mayo

 Served with spicy sauce, shredded lettuce and crumbled up prawn crackers for even more crunch, this delicious dish works great as an appetiser or part of a party spread.

Karen Martini's barbecue prawns with cucumber relish
(Credits: Rob Shaw)

This quick 30-minute recipe makes for a great appetiser when friends come round. Mix your homemade chilli paste with lime, coriander and cucumber for a fresh relish that goes beautifully with grilled seafood. 

Avocado, prawn and sausage jambalaya
(Credits: R Palmer)

Who says that prawns don’t belong in the winter months? Use sausage, avocados and a colourful array of vegetables to create this stew-like dish. It will be a hit from June to August!

Barbecued seafood always draws a crowd and no barbecue is complete without a beaut grilled prawn. These saucy prawn skewers are beautifully big on flavour.

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The combo of kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce), lime juice and rice wine vinegar gives this quick, fresh meal a sticky, zingy hit. Yum!

(Credits: Andre Martin)

Enjoy delicious and flavourful grilled prawns without having to worry about scrubbing off the sticky sauce off the barbecue or frypan once guests have left. Luckily for you, this recipe adds the divine sweet chilli and coriander jam just before serving!

When is the best time to buy prawns in Australia?

The best time to buy prawns in Australia is during peak Tiger prawn season, which lines up perfectly with December and Christmas. Although it’s in high demand, it’s also peak season for this favourite prawn variety. The best time to buy King prawns is from late summer to winter, and the best time to buy Banana prawns is during autumn.

What are the best prawns to eat in Australia?

The best prawns in Australia really come down to what you enjoy most. Tiger prawns are most popular, because they are in peak season during summer when prawns are in high demand. Tiger prawns are robust in flavour, while King prawns are larger and sweeter. Banana prawns are more mild-flavoured. School prawns are small and sweet, and great for salads.

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