Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie are the ultimate summer treat. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve mastered the perfect char and juicy texture. The secret? A simple marinade and high heat. Start your grill and get ready for a taste of Australia. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Creamy Tuscan Soup and Crispy Austrian Wiener Schnitzel.
Why This Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly charred and juicy
- Easy, better than takeout
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Great for cookouts and summer parties
What You'll Need for Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb large prawns
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon aioli
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Prawns: Use large prawns with shells on for best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Outdoor Grill — Cooks food evenly and quickly → See on Amazon
- Grill Brush — Ensures a clean, non-stick cooking surface → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
- Prepare the prawns: Peel and devein the prawns, leaving the tails on.
- Make the marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the prawns: Add the prawns to the marinade, toss to coat. Let them marinate for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to high heat (around 450°F).
- Grill the prawns: Grill the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they're pink and slightly charred.
- Serve: Serve the prawns hot, with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking. Prawns can become rubbery if cooked too long.
- Pro tip: Use a grill basket to prevent small prawns from falling through the grates.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Pro tip: Let the grill heat up for at least 10 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
Storing & Reheating Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover prawns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate the prawns up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Freezing Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
Freezing is not recommended for prawns as they can become rubbery.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then broil for 1-2 minutes to crisp up.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Best substitution: Substitute prawns with large shrimp if needed.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the prawns up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If prawns stick to the grill, make sure the grill is well-oiled and hot enough.
Want to level up this recipe?
Grill Thermometer — Ensures perfect cooking temperature for juicy, tender prawns → Check price on Amazon
Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb large prawns
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon aioli
Instructions
- Prepare the prawns: Peel and devein the prawns, leaving the tails on.
- Make the marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the prawns: Add the prawns to the marinade, toss to coat. Let them marinate for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to high heat (around 450°F).
- Grill the prawns: Grill the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they're pink and slightly charred.
- Serve: Serve the prawns hot, with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Best substitution: Substitute prawns with large shrimp if needed.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the prawns up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If prawns stick to the grill, make sure the grill is well-oiled and hot enough.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover prawns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for prawns as they can become rubbery.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then broil for 1-2 minutes to crisp up.
- Make ahead: Marinate the prawns up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 210mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe FAQs
Marinate the prawns up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason for rubbery prawns. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side only.
Yes, broil the prawns for 3-4 minutes on each side at high heat (around 500°F).
Prawns are larger and have a stronger flavor than shrimp. They're also more commonly used in Australian cuisine.
Yes, just make sure they're thawed and patted dry before marinating and cooking.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Grilled Australian BBQ Prawns on the Barbie Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
