Spicy Garlic Prawns with Fresh Salad
Introduction
These spicy garlic prawns with fresh salad are quick, colourful, and easy to make. Tender prawns cook in minutes with garlic, onion, red pepper, and tomatoes, sitting right in the middle of a crisp, fresh salad.
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 works really well for a fast lunch, a light dinner, or anytime you want a good meal without spending 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 just a few minutes, making this great when you want a quick meal without staying in the kitchen for hours.
- Great flavour: Garlic, black pepper, onion, tomatoes, and optional fresh chilli give you plenty of taste using basic ingredients.
- Fresh and colourful: Warm garlic prawns pair with crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and onion for a nice mix of textures and colours.
- Easy to customise: Keep it mild or add extra fresh chilli if you like heat. You can also serve it with rice, noodles, or bread for a fuller meal.
- Great for lunch or dinner: Light enough for lunch, but satisfying enough for a simple dinner.
- Simple everyday ingredients: You don’t need anything complicated to put together a fresh, good-tasting plate of food.
🛒 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 it over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the prawns. Fry for about 5–6 minutes, stirring now and then so they cook evenly.
Keep an eye on them, as prawns cook quickly and can turn rubbery if left on the heat too long.
Build the Flavour with Onion
Add the chopped white onion to the pan and stir it in with the prawns.
Cook for a few minutes until the onion starts to soften and pick up the juices in the pan.
Add a Peppery Crunch
Sprinkle in the black pepper, then add the chopped red pepper.
Stir everything together and cook briefly. You want the red pepper to soften slightly while holding onto its bright colour and a light crunch.
At this point, you’ll see all the bright colours starting to mix together.
Bring in the Garlic
Add the finely chopped garlic and stir it into the prawns and vegetables.
Cook briefly until fragrant. Garlic can burn easily, so it only needs a minute or so in the pan.
This step gives the spicy garlic prawns their main flavour.
Create the Rich Tomato Sauce
Stir in the chopped tomatoes.
Next, add the mineral salt and stir well.
If you don’t have chopped tomatoes, a little tomato paste works instead, though the texture and taste will be slightly different.
Lower the heat and let everything simmer gently until the prawns are cooked through and the tomatoes break down into a light sauce.
Taste and add a little more salt or pepper if needed.
Prepare the Fresh Salad
While the prawns finish cooking, get the salad ready.
Wash and prepare the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Place the lettuce around the edge of a large plate, then lay out the sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
You don’t have to arrange it exactly like mine. Arrange the salad however you like to make a nice base around the plate.
The cold, crisp salad balances out the warm prawns nicely.
Assemble and Serve
When the prawns and sauce are ready, spoon them into the middle of your salad plate.
If you like extra heat, sprinkle finely chopped fresh chilli over the prawns. This is optional, so you can make the dish as mild or spicy as you like.
Top with the finely chopped leek for a bit of extra green and fresh taste.
Serve right away while the prawns are warm and the salad is cold and crisp.
And that’s all — a simple plate of spicy garlic prawns with fresh salad that is fresh, colourful, and easy to enjoy.
💡 Tips for Success
- Prepare everything first: Prawns cook fast, so chop the onion, garlic, red pepper, tomatoes, and salad vegetables before heating the pan.
- Don’t overcook the prawns: Watch them carefully on the heat. Overcooking can make prawns tough and rubbery.
- Add the garlic later: Garlic can burn quickly, so stir it in after the onion and red pepper have had time to cook.
- Keep some crunch in the peppers: Avoid cooking the red pepper for too long so it retains its colour and a bit of bite.
- Adjust the heat to your taste: Fresh chilli is optional. Add a little for mild heat or extra if you like spicy garlic prawns.
- Serve right away: This dish is best eaten while the prawns are warm and the salad is cold and fresh.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These spicy garlic prawns are great served just as they are with the fresh salad for a lighter meal.
If you want something more filling, serve them with cooked rice, noodles, couscous, or warm crusty bread to scoop up the sauce.
You can also add sliced avocado or hard-boiled eggs to the salad plate.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Frozen prawns work well. Thaw them completely and pat off any extra water before adding them to the pan.
Can I make spicy garlic prawns without chilli?
Yes. The fresh chilli is optional. Leave it out for a milder dish — the garlic, black pepper, and vegetables still give plenty of taste.
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 gets too thick. The sauce will be slightly richer and thicker.
How do I know when the prawns are cooked?
The prawns should turn opaque all the way through. Avoid cooking them past this point so they stay tender.
What can I serve with spicy garlic prawns?
They go well with fresh salad, rice, noodles, couscous, or crusty bread. For a light meal, serve them on their own with the salad.
Can I prepare the salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can chop the salad ingredients in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. Assemble on the plate just before serving.
Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Yes. Leave out the fresh chilli and use less black pepper. Extra chilli can always be added at the table for anyone who wants more heat.
Cook’s Tip
Have all your ingredients chopped and ready before the prawns hit the pan. Once cooking starts, everything moves quickly.
That’s one of the things I love about this dish: simple ingredients come together quickly to make something fresh and colourful.
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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