Spot Prawn Recipe: Butter Garlic Shrimp

This decadent Alaska spot prawn recipe features shrimp cooked in an easy butter garlic sauce. It’s ready in under 10 minutes!

spot prawn recipe served with butter sauce in serving bowl.

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.

Toss Spot Prawns in Herbs + Garlic.Toss Spot Prawns in Herbs + Garlic

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.

Add Spot Prawns to Melted Butter.Add Spot Prawns to Melted Butter

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.

Cook Until Prawns Are Opaque.Cook Until Prawns Are Opaque

Add lemon juice and capers to the pan, and simmer for about a minute.

Add Lemon Juice + Capers to Butter.Add Lemon Juice + Capers to Butter

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!

Serve Spot Prawn Recipe with Butter Sauce + Herbs.Serve Prawns with Butter Sauce + Herbs

spot prawn recipe served with butter sauce in serving bowl.

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Spot Prawn Recipe: Butter Garlic Shrimp

This decadent Alaska spot prawn recipe features shrimp cooked in an easy butter garlic sauce. Ready in minutes!

Author:

Sarah Trenalone

Prep Time

2

mins

Cook Time

8

mins

Servings:

4

people

Calories:

296

kcal

Freezer Friendly?

No

Will It Keep?

No

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Prevent your screen from going dark

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.

    Toss Spot Prawns in Herbs + Garlic.

  • 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.

    Add Spot Prawns to Melted Butter.

  • 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).

    Cook Until Prawns Are Opaque.

  • 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.

    Add Lemon Juice + Capers to Butter.

Notes

This recipe does not include the prep time for removing the spot prawn shells.  I recommend removing the shells ahead of time (up to 1 day ahead) and storing the ready-to-use shrimp in the fridge until dinnertime. 

Using other types of shrimp: Spot prawns will yield the most buttery flavor (similar to lobster), but other varieties of shrimp will work perfectly in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories:

296

kcal

(15%)

|

Carbohydrates:

5

g

(2%)

|

Protein:

16

g

(32%)

|

Fat:

24

g

(37%)

|

Saturated Fat:

15

g

(94%)

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:

1

g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:

6

g

|

Trans Fat:

1

g

|

Cholesterol:

204

mg

(68%)

|

Sodium:

847

mg

(37%)

|

Potassium:

188

mg

(5%)

|

Fiber:

1

g

(4%)

|

Sugar:

1

g

(1%)

|

Vitamin A:

930

IU

(19%)

|

Vitamin C:

14

mg

(17%)

|

Calcium:

85

mg

(9%)

|

Iron:

1

mg

(6%)

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