Garlic Prawns

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Chinese

Garlic Prawns offer a quick, flavorful seafood dish with aromatic garlic, soy sauce, and green onions, perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer for seafood lovers.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. salad oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 lb. large prawns, shelled, deveined and butterflied
  • 2 stalks green onions, cut in 1-inch lengths
  • 4 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. sake or dry sherry

Instructions

  1. Heat wok; add oil.
  2. Add garlic and stir-fry briefly; do not brown.
  3. Add prawns.
  4. Stir-fry just until prawns turn pink.
  5. Add green onions.
  6. Combine cornstarch, soy sauce, and sake; add to wok. Toss and cook until thickened.
  7. Serve at once.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of fish sauce. If you don’t have sake, dry sherry or white wine can be a suitable substitute. Ensure the prawns are fresh and properly thawed if frozen. For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

Serving Suggestions

Serve garlic prawns over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal, and consider pairing it with a crisp green salad or stir-fried vegetables. It also pairs beautifully with Garlic Shrimp With Twice-Cooked Green Beans for a delightful seafood dinner. Garnish with fresh cilantro or lime wedges for an added zing.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover garlic prawns should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, gently stir-fry in a pan over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Garlic Prawns contains roughly 495 calories, with 4g protein, 107g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 680mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).

495 kcal 25% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 4.1g 8% DV
Total Fat 2.8g 4% DV
Carbs 107.1g 39% DV
Fiber 1.2g 4% DV
Sugar 0.3g 1% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 680.5mg 30% DV
Potassium 67.7mg 1% DV
Cholesterol 25.2mg 8% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 11.5mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 0mg
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 16.4mg 1% DV
Iron 0.8mg 4% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Soy Shellfish

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen prawns. Just ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture. This will help achieve a nice sear and prevent steaming.

What can I substitute for green onions?

If you don’t have green onions, chives or shallots can work as alternatives. Both provide a mild onion flavor, while shallots offer a slightly sweeter taste.

Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

While the dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. Store the cleaned prawns and chopped vegetables separately in the fridge to make the cooking process quick and easy when you're ready to serve.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

Chinese recipes → Seafood recipes → All recipes →