Spicy Garlic Prawns with Fresh Salad
Introduction
These spicy garlic prawns with fresh salad are quick, colourful and packed with flavour. Juicy prawns are cooked with garlic, onion, red pepper and tomatoes, then served in the middle of a crisp, colourful salad for a meal that looks just as good as it tastes.
My friend was coming over, and this is one of her favourite dishes, so I decided to make it for us and share the recipe with you. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, light dinner, or anytime you want something delicious without spending too long in the kitchen.
Watch the Full Recipe Video
Want to see exactly how I made these Quick & Spicy Garlic Prawns with Fresh Salad? Watch the full step-by-step video below and cook along with me!
📑 Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love These Spicy Garlic Prawns
- Quick and easy: Prawns cook in minutes, making this a great choice when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Packed with flavour: Garlic, black pepper, onion, tomatoes and optional fresh chilli create a simple but seriously tasty combination.
- Fresh and colourful: The warm spicy garlic prawns are served with crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and onion for a beautiful contrast of colours and textures.
- Easy to customise: Keep it mild or add extra fresh chilli if you love heat. You can also serve it with rice, noodles or crusty bread for a more filling meal.
- Perfect for lunch or dinner: This recipe is light enough for a quick lunch but satisfying enough to enjoy as an easy dinner.
- Simple everyday ingredients: You don’t need anything complicated to create a fresh, flavour-packed meal that looks impressive on the plate.
🛒 Ingredients
🍤 For the Spicy Garlic Prawns
- 150g prawns, cleaned and prepared
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ½ red pepper, chopped
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon mineral salt
- ¼ cup cooking oil, using about half for cooking
- Fresh chilli, finely chopped (optional)
- A small amount of leek, finely chopped, for finishing
🥗 For the Fresh Salad
- Lettuce, washed and prepared
- Fresh tomatoes, sliced
- Cucumber, sliced
- Onion, thinly sliced
Sizzle the Prawns Until Juicy
Add the cooking oil to a large frying pan and heat over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the prawns. Fry for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally so they cook evenly.
Keep an eye on them because prawns cook quickly and can become tough if they’re overcooked.
Build the Flavour with Onion
Add the chopped white onion to the pan and mix it through the prawns.
Cook for a few minutes until the onion begins to soften. As it cooks, it will pick up the flavours already developing in the pan.
Add a Peppery Crunch
Sprinkle in the black pepper, followed by the chopped red pepper.
Stir everything together and continue cooking briefly. You want the red pepper to soften slightly while still keeping some of its colour and a little crunch.
At this point, you’ll start to see all those lovely colours coming together.
Bring in the Garlic
Add the finely chopped garlic and stir it through the prawns and vegetables.
Cook briefly until fragrant. Garlic can burn quickly, so there’s no need to cook it for too long.
This is where the spicy garlic prawns really start developing their delicious flavour.
Create the Rich Tomato Sauce
Add the chopped tomatoes and mix everything.
Next, sprinkle in the mineral salt and stir well.
If you don’t have chopped tomatoes, you can use a small amount of tomato paste instead, although the finished flavour and texture will be slightly different.
Reduce the heat and let everything cook gently until the prawns are cooked through and the tomatoes have formed a light, flavourful sauce around them.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Prepare the Fresh Salad
While the prawns finish cooking, prepare the salad.
Wash and prepare the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and onion. Arrange the lettuce around the outside of a large serving plate, then add the sliced tomatoes, cucumber and onion.
You don’t have to arrange it exactly like mine. Have fun with the presentation and use the vegetables to create a colourful base around the plate.
The cool, crunchy salad is a lovely contrast to the warm, spicy prawns.
Assemble and Serve
Once the prawns and sauce are ready, carefully spoon them into the centre of your prepared salad.
If you enjoy some extra heat, sprinkle finely chopped fresh chilli over the prawns. This is completely optional, so you can make the dish as mild or spicy as you like.
Finish with finely chopped leek scattered over the top for extra colour and freshness.
Serve immediately while the prawns are warm and the surrounding salad is cool and crisp.
And that’s it — a simple plate of spicy garlic prawns with fresh salad that’s colourful, fresh and full of flavour.
💡 Tips for Success
- Prepare everything before you start: Prawns cook quickly, so chop the onion, garlic, red pepper, tomatoes and salad ingredients before heating the pan.
- Don’t overcook the prawns: Keep an eye on them as they cook. Overcooking can make prawns tough and rubbery instead of tender and juicy.
- Add the garlic later: Garlic can burn quickly, so add it after the onion and red pepper have had time to cook.
- Keep a little crunch in the peppers: Avoid cooking the red pepper for too long. A little crunch adds great texture and keeps the dish colourful.
- Adjust the chilli to your taste: Fresh chilli is completely optional. Add a little for gentle heat or more if you like your spicy garlic prawns extra hot.
- Serve immediately: This dish is best enjoyed while the prawns are warm and juicy and the surrounding salad is cool, crisp and fresh.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These spicy garlic prawns are delicious served exactly as they are with the fresh salad for a lighter meal.
If you want something more filling, serve them with steamed rice, noodles, couscous or warm crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
You could also add avocado or boiled eggs to the salad for an even more substantial plate.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Frozen prawns work well for this recipe. Defrost them completely and pat away any excess moisture before cooking.
Can I make spicy garlic prawns without chilli?
Absolutely. The fresh chilli is optional. Leave it out for a milder dish — the garlic, black pepper and vegetables will still give the prawns plenty of flavour.
Can I use tomato paste instead of chopped tomatoes?
Yes. Use a small amount of tomato paste and add a splash of water if the mixture becomes too thick. The flavour will be slightly richer and more concentrated.
How do I know when the prawns are cooked?
The prawns should be opaque and cooked through. Avoid cooking them for longer than necessary, as overcooked prawns can become tough and rubbery.
What can I serve with spicy garlic prawns?
They are delicious with fresh salad, rice, noodles, couscous or crusty bread. For a lighter meal, serve them just as they are with the colourful salad.
Can I prepare the salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the salad ingredients in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. For the freshest result, assemble the plate shortly before serving.
Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Yes. Simply leave out the fresh chilli and reduce the black pepper slightly. You can always add extra chilli at the table for anyone who prefers more heat.
Cook’s Tip
Have all your ingredients chopped and ready before the prawns hit the pan. Once cooking starts, this recipe moves quickly.
That’s one of the things I love about this dish: simple ingredients come together in a short time to make something colourful, fresh and full of flavour.
I made this one for my friend because it’s one of her favourites, and we really enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it just as much!
Cook with Tima Gaye ❤️
About the Author:
Tima Gaye is a Gambian-born, UK-based home cook and recipe creator. She shares rich, flavorful recipes inspired by African roots and global dishes. Every meal she creates comes from the heart — blending tradition, creativity, and love.
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