Ketchup King Prawn Recipe

Get ready to elevate your seafood game with a dish that’s as bold as it is delicious—welcome to my kitchen for this mouthwatering Ketchup King Prawns recipe that’s bursting with flavors and just the right amount of spicy kick! 🦐🍜

Savor my Ketchup King Prawn recipe, a delicious mix of butterflied prawns and zesty sauce. It starts with a hearty base of sauce made from ketchup and soy sauce, and then adds some unique tweaks from me—like a little bit of oyster sauce for eggy richness and a hint of chile for mouth-tingling heat.

The result is an umami-packed delight. And it’s backed up by a hint of sweet, tangy, and savory flavor transformations that turn simple prawns into something more.

Ingredients

• King prawns: Rich in protein, low in fat, provides omega-3 fatty acids.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic flavor, contains antioxidants, may boost immunity.
• Ketchup: Sweet and tangy, provides lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
• Soy sauce: Adds umami flavor, contains sodium, enhances savory dishes.
• Oyster sauce: Offers a sweet-salty flavor, adds depth to sauces.
• Rice vinegar: Contributes acidity, balances flavors, low in calories.
• Chili sauce: Adds heat, contains capsaicin, which can boost metabolism.

Ingredient Quantities

• 500g king prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili sauce (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make this

1. In a large skillet or wok, pour in the vegetable oil and warm it over medium-high heat.

2. The garlic (minced) and onion (finely chopped) go into the pan next. After about 2-3 minutes, the onions should be translucent and fragrant. Those should be your cues to move on.

3. Add the king prawns, which are now peeled and deveined, to the mixture. Stir them in and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes until they have turned a nice pink and opaque color.

4. In a bowl, combine the ketchup, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and optional chili sauce to create a delicious and flavorful sauce.

5. Transfer the sauce mixture to the pan containing the prawns. Stir well and ensure that the prawns are coated evenly with the sauce.

6. Allow the prawns and sauce to simmer together for 2-3 minutes so that the flavors can meld.

7. Combine the cornstarch mixture (cornstarch mixed with water) with the pan sauce. Stir it in and allow it to thicken. After a minute, check the sauce. If it doesn’t quite have the thickness you’re after, give it another minute.

8. To taste, salt and pepper the dish, adjusting to your preference.

9. Scatter the sliced green onions over the shrimp, and give everything a quick toss to combine.

10. Serve the Ketchup King Prawns hot, with additional spring onions if desired.

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet or wok
2. Bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Spatula or wooden spoon
7. Mixing spoon

FAQ

• What type of prawns should I use?This recipe requires peeled and deveined fresh or frozen king prawns.
• Can I substitute the oyster sauce?You can indeed replace oyster sauce with vegetarian mushroom stir-fry sauce, if necessary.
• Is the chili sauce essential?The chili sauce is optional and can be adjusted according to your level of heat tolerance.
• What can I use instead of rice vinegar?If rice vinegar is unavailable, you may use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as a stand-in.
• How should I cook the prawns if they’re frozen?Let the prawns sit in cold water for about 15-20 minutes to thaw before cooking.
• How do I thicken the sauce?Mix cornstarch with water and use it to thicken the sauce to the consistency you desire.

Ketchup King Prawn Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Canola oil or sunflower oil can be used as substitutes for vegetable oil.
Use tamari for a gluten-free option, or coconut aminos for a soy-free choice.
Oyster sauce: Substitute hoisin sauce or mix soy sauce with a bit of fish sauce for a similar depth of flavor.
Sweetness from a natural source,
take sugar, for instance; it can be replaced with honey, syrup, etc. Because sugar is added to so many foods, the best course of action is to replace it in time with healthful alternatives. In part this is because sugar is now a mainstay in the diet, and it positively influences health in a negative way.
Rice vinegar: Alternatives include apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

Pro Tips

1. Marinate the Prawns: Before cooking, let the prawns sit in a mixture of a little soy sauce and garlic for about 15 minutes. This can enhance their flavor when cooked.