Australasian Prawn Cocktail Recipe

Cook Time: 20 minutes  

   Prep Time: 15 minutes

Australasian Prawn Cocktail Ingredients

Australasian Prawn Cocktail Instructions

  1. Pat the peeled and deveined prawns dry with paper towels, then place them in a bowl and toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned prawns in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let them cool completely.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, hot horseradish cream, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use.
  4. Finely shred the baby gem lettuce and arrange it as a bed on the base of each serving glass or plate.
  5. Scatter diced avocado, quartered cherry tomatoes, and finely diced cucumber evenly over the lettuce base.
  6. Once the prawns are cool, gently toss them with the Marie Rose sauce until they are well coated.
  7. Spoon the sauced prawns over the prepared salad base, dividing them evenly among the servings.
  8. Sprinkle chopped chives and fresh dill over the top of each prawn cocktail for a fresh, aromatic finish.
  9. Garnish each plate with a lemon wedge on the side for squeezing just before eating.

Estimated Calories: 220, Servings: 4

Recommended Dishes

Healthy Prawn Cocktail Tips

Looking to boost the health factor in your Australasian Prawn Cocktail recipe? Let's turbocharge your taste buds and your well-being! Swap out that heavy, calorie-laden mayo for a homemade Greek yogurt base-trust me, your arteries will thank you. This easy and quick switch keeps your Prawn Cocktail delicious, creamy, and authentically tasty, but with a fraction of the guilt. Don't forget to load up on fresh, crisp greens as your base-think rocket, baby spinach, or even kale for that extra health kick. The best part? You still get all the perfect flavors and textures, just with a lighter, healthier twist. Now that's what I call a win-win in the world of Australasian cuisine!
Want more health tips for your best-ever Prawn Cocktail? Let's talk ingredients! Go for wild-caught prawns-these little swimmers are lower in contaminants and higher in omega-3s, making your recipe not just tasty but a powerhouse of health benefits. Ditch the sugar in your cocktail sauce and add a squeeze of fresh lemon or a dash of hot sauce for that authentic zing without the extra calories. Remember, the secret to a perfect, healthy, and homemade Prawn Cocktail is all about simple swaps and smart choices. So, if you want to know how to make your next Australasian Prawn Cocktail the best and healthiest yet, just follow these tips and watch your health (and your guests) do a happy dance!

Prawn Cocktail Quick Mistake Fixes

If your prawn cocktail ends up tasting like it took a swim in the Dead Sea, you might have gone a bit wild with the salt. It is easy to get carried away, especially when you are aiming for that punchy, briny flavor. The best way to fix a too salty situation is to add a little more of the other ingredients, like lettuce or avocado, to help soak up the excess. A good squeeze of lemon can also work wonders, brightening things up and distracting from the salt overload. Remember, a delicious prawn cocktail should taste like a day at the beach, not like you are licking a salt block!
Nobody wants to bite into a prawn that feels like chewing on a rubber band. Overcooked prawns are the arch-nemesis of a great prawn cocktail, turning what should be a quick, easy, and healthy treat into a test of jaw strength. The trick is to keep things fast and gentle when cooking the prawns, so they stay juicy and tender. If you do end up with overcooked prawns, try chopping them smaller and mixing them with extra sauce to mask the texture. It is not the best fix, but it is a good way to salvage your recipe and keep things delicious.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the flavors just do not pop. If your prawn cocktail is bland, do not panic! A quick fix is to add a dash of hot sauce, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or a squeeze of citrus to wake everything up. Balancing flavors is an art, and even the most experienced chefs have to make last minute changes. The good news is that a prawn cocktail is forgiving, and with a few fast tweaks, you can turn a boring dish into something truly great. After all, a little creativity is the secret ingredient in every easy, delicious recipe!

Prawn Cocktail Story

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, the kind where you wonder if the sun has taken a vacation and left you with a soggy world and a craving for something new. My friend Sam, who claims to have the best taste in food and the worst taste in socks, invited me over for lunch. He promised a recipe that was both easy and fast, which sounded suspiciously like his approach to laundry. As we sat at his kitchen table, surrounded by mismatched chairs and the faint sound of 80s pop, he presented the dish with a flourish that would make any magician jealous.
I remember thinking, "This is either going to be a delicious surprise or a good story for later." Sam assured me it was healthy, which I took with a grain of salt, considering he once called chocolate cake a balanced breakfast. But as I took my first bite, I realized he was not exaggerating this time. The flavors were so great that I almost forgot about the rain and the fact that his cat was eyeing my plate with suspicious intent. We laughed about our previous kitchen disasters, like the time we tried to make bread and ended up with something that could double as a doorstop.
By the end of the meal, I was convinced that this was one of the best food experiences I had stumbled into by accident. It was quick to prepare, easy to enjoy, and left me feeling like I had discovered a secret club for people who appreciate good company and even better food. I left Sam's house with a full stomach, a copy of the recipe scribbled on a napkin, and a newfound appreciation for trying new things-even if it means risking another one of his culinary experiments.

Storage Tips

When it comes to storage, the best way to keep your prawn cocktail in tip top shape is to pop it in an airtight container and slide it into the coldest part of your fridge. This is not just a good idea, it is a recipe for success if you want to keep things healthy and delicious. Remember, prawns are not fans of room temperature, so do not let them hang out on the counter for too long unless you want to host a bacteria party. For a quick and easy storage hack, separate the sauce from the prawns if possible, so everything stays fresh and fabulous.
Shelf life is where things get interesting, and by interesting, I mean you have to be fast. Prawn cocktail is a great dish, but it is not known for its longevity. You have about one to two days in the fridge before things start to get dicey, so do not plan on making this recipe for next week's lunch. If you are looking for a quick snack, eat it sooner rather than later, because prawns are notorious for turning from delicious to dubious in the blink of an eye.
Spoilage signs are your best friends when it comes to seafood safety, and with prawn cocktail, you want to be extra vigilant. If your prawns start to smell less like the ocean and more like a science experiment gone wrong, it is time to say goodbye. Slimy texture, off colors, or any hint of a sour taste are all great reasons to toss it out. Trust your senses, because nothing ruins a healthy, easy meal faster than a bout of food poisoning!

About Prawn Cocktail Recipe

If you're searching for the best and most delicious way to impress your friends at your next gathering, look no further than this Australasian Prawn Cocktail recipe! I've made this easy and quick dish more times than I can count, and every single time, someone asks me for the recipe. The secret to a perfect homemade prawn cocktail is all about using fresh ingredients and not skimping on the sauce. Trust me, once you learn how to make this authentic classic, you'll never go back to store-bought versions again.
What I love most about this simple and tasty Australasian favorite is how little effort it takes to whip up something that looks so fancy. With just a handful of ingredients-juicy prawns, crisp lettuce, and that creamy, tangy sauce-you'll have a dish that's both quick and impressive. My top tips? Always chill your prawns before serving and don't be shy with the lemon juice. It's the best way to bring out all those fresh flavors and make your prawn cocktail truly shine.
If you're wondering how to make this dish stand out, it's all in the details. I like to add a little extra paprika for color and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for that homemade touch. This recipe is so easy, even my neighbor who once burned water managed to make it perfectly! Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this Australasian-inspired prawn cocktail is the best way to kick off any meal. Give it a try, follow my tips, and you'll have a tasty, authentic appetizer that everyone will rave about!