This decadent Alaska spot prawn recipe features shrimp cooked in an easy butter garlic sauce. It's ready in under 10 minutes!
It's always an exciting experience opening up a delivery of seafood.
We get boxes full of delicious potential each month from Sitka Salmon Shares. Whenever the box includes spot prawns, I know we're in for some truly decadent dinners!
Some of our other favorite shellfish dinners include this seafood boil for two, crab fries, and crab nachos.
It was pretty easy to decide what I was going to do with my latest batch of prawns.
When in doubt, garlic and butter make everything better.
This shrimp dish cooked in an easy garlic butter sauce is ready to go on the table in less than 10 minutes!
What Are Alaska Spot Prawns?
Alaska spot prawns, also called spot shrimp, are harvested wild (not farmed) and are one of the most responsibly sourced shrimp out there.
And as you may know, it can be difficult to find responsibly harvested shrimp.
What Do Spot Prawns Look Like?
When raw, Alaska spot prawns are pale pink and a pale, semi-translucent white. They're not grey (or blue) when raw like the shrimp you might be more familiar with.
Once cooked, the spot prawns will turn bright pink and opaque white.
Are They Tricky to Peel?
Yes and no.
Peeling spot prawns is not difficult, but it's a slightly different process than you might be used to. Here's how to peel spot prawns.
Once you've peeled them, make sure to save the shells and roe for shrimp stock.
What Do Spot Prawn Taste Like?
These shrimp don't have the classic shrimp flavor. Instead, Alaska spot prawns taste sweet and buttery, like cold-water lobster.
Seriously. It's like eating mini lobsters.
If this is making you crave lobster, check out these grilled lobster tails.
Can I Use Other Types of Shrimp Besides Spot Prawn In This Recipe?
Yes!
Basically all shellfish pair well with butter sauce. For example, I love this crab butter sauce on basically any kind of shellfish.
If you can't find spot prawns, just go ahead and use whatever shrimp you have on hand.
How to Make Butter Garlic Spot Prawns
For this spot prawn recipe, start by tossing the spot prawns with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
Next, melt some butter in a large pan. Add the shrimp to it in a single layer.
I like to use this Lodge 12" carbon steel skillet.
Cook the shrimp for one to two minutes per side. They should be opaque and pink!
Remove the shrimp from the pan before you begin the sauce.
Add lemon juice and capers to the pan, and simmer for about a minute.
Drizzle the sauce over the cooked shrimp. Add herbs to top it off, if you like.
Your butter garlic shrimp is ready to serve and enjoy!
Spot Prawn Recipe: Butter Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound spot prawns, thawed + shells removed Or use another variety of shrimp
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Or use your favorite dried herb mixture, such as Herbes de Provence
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt Skip if using salted butter
- 4 ounces unsalted butter
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, torn or chopped into small pieces if needed (optional) I used thyme and chopped chives
Instructions
- Add the shrimp to a bowl and toss with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter melts (but before it browns), add the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side, until both sides are opaque and pink.Remove the shrimp from the pan and place them in a serving dish (if using).
- Add the lemon juice and capers (if using) to the pan, and simmer for about a minute. Spoon the melted butter mixture over the shrimp. Top shrimp with fresh herbs (if using) and serve immediately.
Athena Jones says
Prawn recipes are my all-time favorite. This butter garlic shrimp recipe is good to rock on any dining table. It's simple and easy to make. I am planning to make it for my family. The combination of garlic and butter is definitely good. But I am dairy-sensitive, and I would love to place butter with ghee.
Alisha Trenalone says
Hi, Athena, glad you like the recipe so much! Ghee would work just fine as a substitute! Thanks for getting in touch.
-Alisha at Champagne Tastes
Arel says
I tried this recipe and it turned out really good. Thanks for the recipe.
Alisha Trenalone says
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for letting us know 😊
-Alisha at Champagne Tastes
Lisa H says
Beautiful sauce for the prawns! Loved it!