Description
This classic Prawn Cocktail recipe features succulent prawns tossed in a tangy and creamy homemade sauce, served over crisp iceberg lettuce. Perfect as a stylish appetizer or light meal, this dish blends fresh seafood flavors with a zesty, slightly spicy dressing, finished with lemon wedges and optional parsley garnish for a refreshing and elegant presentation.
Ingredients
Prawns
- 1 kg / 2 lb medium fresh cooked or raw prawns with shell and heads on (yields ~600g once peeled); OR
- 600 g / 1.2 lb fresh cooked prawns already peeled
- About 3 cups iceberg lettuce, finely sliced
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
- Finely chopped parsley (optional), for garnish
Sauce
- 2/3 cup / 165 ml mayonnaise, preferably good quality whole egg mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup or Australian/UK tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp freshly grated horseradish (or substitute 1 1/2 tsp jarred horseradish OR 3/4 tsp wasabi)
- Dash of Tabasco sauce (to taste)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (to taste and a tiny bit for color)
Instructions
- Prepare the Prawns: If using whole prawns, remove the heads and peel them carefully, leaving a few whole for decorative purposes if desired. Medium-sized cooked prawns usually don’t require deveining as it’s difficult to do and barely noticeable, especially when combined with the sauce.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup or tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, freshly grated horseradish (or your chosen substitute), Tabasco sauce, and cayenne pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Toss Prawns with Sauce: Gently toss the peeled prawns with the prepared sauce, ensuring each prawn is evenly coated to bring out the flavor.
- Assemble the Cocktail: Place a bed of finely sliced iceberg lettuce into serving dishes such as martini glasses, small bowls, or lettuce cups.
- Serve and Garnish: Top the lettuce with the sauced prawns. Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley if using. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, crisp flavors.
Notes
- Using good quality whole egg mayonnaise dramatically improves the richness and flavor of the sauce.
- Fresh horseradish provides the best sharpness, but jarred horseradish or wasabi are acceptable substitutes depending on availability and taste preference.
- Adjust the amount of Tabasco and cayenne pepper to your desired spice level.
- Served chilled, this dish is best consumed fresh on the day of preparation.
- For a stylish presentation, use cocktail glasses or small bowls to enhance the visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook / Tossed
- Cuisine: International / Classic
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 180g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
