Name: Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American Cajun
Ingredients: 1.5 kg (3 lbs) shrimp, deveined but shell and head on; 2 tbsp Cajun spice; 1 tbsp lemon pepper; 2 tsp salt; 3 tbsp olive oil; 250 g (2 sticks) butter; 10 garlic cloves, crushed; 3-4 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 2 tsp Cajun spice; 1 tsp chilli flakes; ½ cup heavy or whipping cream

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 78 reviews

If you are craving a seafood dish that bursts with bold flavors and creamy richness, let me introduce you to the irresistible Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe. This dish marries perfectly grilled, succulent prawns with a luscious garlic butter sauce, enriched by smoky Cajun spices and a touch of fresh lemon juice. Whether it’s a lively family dinner or a weekend feast with friends, these prawns deliver that wow factor – smoky, spicy, buttery, and creamy, all in one plate. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a go-to favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The dish shows a white plate filled with about ten grilled shrimp that are orange with char marks, garnished with small green herb pieces and slices of red chili pepper. One shrimp is topped with a red chili slice. On the bottom left of the plate is a grilled lemon half with a lightly charred yellow surface and green herbs sprinkled on top. A small white bowl filled with a brown sauce, speckled with herbs and spices, sits on the left side of the plate, partly under the shrimp. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic behind this Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one plays a special role, from creating the perfect spicy marinade to developing the rich, creamy sauce that coats each prawn beautifully.

1.5 kg (3lbs) shrimp (deveined but shell and head on): Using whole prawns with shell and head on intensifies the smoky flavor on the grill and keeps them juicy.
2 tbsp cajun spice: Adds a fragrant, spicy kick that’s essential for that signature Cajun flavor.
1 tbsp lemon pepper: Provides a zesty, peppery note to brighten the dish.
2 tsp salt: Balances and enhances all the other flavors without overpowering them.
3 tbsp olive oil: Helps the spices cling to the prawns and keeps them moist during grilling.
250 g (2 sticks) butter: The heart of the sauce, delivering that rich, silky texture.
10 garlic cloves (crushed): Garlic lovers rejoice – this brings a pungent, aromatic warmth.
3-4 tbsp fresh lemon juice: Adds freshness and a slight tang that cuts through the richness.
2 tsp cajun spice: Used again in the sauce for a double dose of Cajun flavor.
1 tsp chilli flakes: Brings gentle heat that builds subtly with each bite.
½ cup cream (heavy or whipping): Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and smooth.

How to Make Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Prawns

If your prawns aren’t already deveined, take a sharp pair of kitchen scissors and make a long slit down the back of each prawn to remove the vein. Leaving the shell and head intact helps lock in moisture and adds that wonderful grilled flavor. This little prep step sets the stage for juicy, perfectly cooked prawns.

Step 2: Marinating the Prawns

In a large bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the prawns, then sprinkle the Cajun spice, lemon pepper, and salt evenly. Toss everything together so each prawn is generously coated with that spicy, zesty marinade. Letting the prawns soak up this flavor will make every bite deliciously vibrant once grilled.

Step 3: Making the Garlic Butter Cream Sauce

Melt the butter in a large pot that’s big enough to hold all the cooked prawns later. Add the crushed garlic, fresh lemon juice, Cajun spice, and chili flakes to the melted butter and let it cook just long enough to release those amazing aromas. Then pour in the cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes. This step helps the sauce thicken slightly while balancing the spice and creaminess.

Step 4: Grilling the Prawns

Preheat your grill for 10 to 15 minutes – an outdoor grill is perfect here because that smoky char adds so much character. Arrange the prawns on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn a gorgeous coral-orange hue. As they cook, transfer them to the pot with the sauce so they soak in all that buttery goodness.

Step 5: Tossing and Finishing

Once all the prawns are in the pot, give everything a good toss to coat the prawns thoroughly in the creamy, spicy sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed — it should be just a little too lemony and well-seasoned before adding the prawns because their natural sweetness mellows the flavors beautifully.

How to Serve Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe

A white round bowl holds six grilled shrimp arranged in a slightly overlapping circle, each shrimp showing charred grill marks and a bright orange color. The shrimp are topped with chopped green herbs, small pieces of red chili, and minced garlic. A woman's hand is squeezing juice from a lemon half over the shrimp, with the juice visibly dripping onto them. In the background, there is a small white bowl of chopped green herbs and two white containers, all set on a white marbled surface. Some scattered herbs add a fresh touch around the bowl photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or cilantro over the prawns to add a burst of color and a fresh herbal note. Extra lemon wedges served on the side are also fantastic; a squeeze just before eating brightens each bite and adds a zingy contrast to the creamy sauce.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with simple steamed white rice or fragrant jasmine rice, which soaks up every last drop of the butter sauce. For a more rustic approach, serve alongside crusty bread – perfect for mopping up the luscious sauce and not letting any of those flavors go to waste.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, serve these prawns over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or a cauliflower purée for an elegant twist. You can also turn this into a vibrant seafood platter by arranging the prawns alongside grilled vegetables and fresh salad greens for a feast that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers of this Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 2 days. The prawns absorb the sauce wonderfully overnight, making the flavors even more intense the next day.

Freezing

If you want to save some prawns for later, remove shells, store in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze up to 1 month. Keep sauce separate if possible, because cream-based sauces sometimes separate after freezing.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the prawns gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of cream or butter to revive the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid high heat to prevent the prawns from becoming rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use peeled prawns instead of shell-on?

You can use peeled prawns if you prefer, but keeping the shells on adds more flavor during grilling and protects the flesh from drying out.

Is there a substitute for the cream in the sauce?

Heavy or whipping cream works best for richness, but coconut cream can be an alternative for a dairy-free twist that still keeps it creamy.

How spicy is this dish?

The Cajun spices and chili flakes add a moderate heat that warms your palate without overwhelming it; you can easily adjust the chili flakes to make it milder or spicier.

Can I cook this indoors without a grill?

Absolutely! A griddle pan or heavy skillet on the stovetop works well. Just preheat it until very hot to get that nice sear and smoky flavor.

Why do I need to add lemon juice twice in the recipe?

Adding lemon juice to both the marinade and the sauce layers the citrus flavor, brightening the dish and balancing the butter’s richness wonderfully.

Final Thoughts

This Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe is quite simply a celebration on a plate. It combines the smoky allure of perfectly grilled prawns with creamy, garlicky, spicy sauce that dances on your tongue. Whether it’s your first time or a beloved repeat, this recipe brings joyful flavors with every bite – so roll up your sleeves, fire up that grill, and get ready to impress everyone around your table!

Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns with Cajun Spices and Cream Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need