Skull Island Tiger Prawns with Honey Harissa Butter

Skull Island Tiger Prawns with Honey Harissa Butter

Smoky, succulent and packed with flavour, these Skull Island Tiger Prawns are finished with a sweet and spicy honey harissa butter for an impressive seafood dish that's surprisingly simple to make.

When you have seriously good prawns, you don't need to do too much to them. This recipe lets the natural flavour and firm texture of Skull Island Tiger Prawns shine, with a rich honey harissa butter adding just the right balance of sweetness, spice and buttery richness.

The prawns are butterflied in their shells, quickly seared in a hot pan or cooked over the BBQ, then generously coated in the warm butter. Serve them straight from the grill with crusty bread on the side to soak up every last drop.

Why You'll Love This Tiger Prawn Recipe

Skull Island Tiger Prawns are ideal for cooking in the shell. Keeping the shell on helps protect the delicate flesh while cooking and allows the prawns to develop a beautiful seared flavour.

The honey harissa butter takes them to the next level. Harissa brings a gentle chilli warmth and earthy spice, while honey adds sweetness that complements the natural flavour of the prawns. Finished with flaky sea salt and fresh chives, it's an easy recipe that feels made for entertaining.

It's also incredibly versatile. Cook these tiger prawns in a frying pan, or take them outside and fire up the BBQ for a smoky char.

Ingredients

For the Tiger Prawns

For the Honey Harissa Butter

  • 200g unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tbsp good-quality harissa paste
  • 2 tbsp honey, gently warmed
  • A pinch of flaky sea salt

How to Cook Skull Island Tiger Prawns with Honey Harissa Butter

1. Prepare the prawns

Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut along the underside of each prawn from the head towards the tail. Don't cut all the way through the shell.

Use a sharp knife to deepen the cut if needed, then gently open each prawn so it lies flat, like a book.

If you can see the digestive tract, remove it before cooking.

2. Make the honey harissa butter

Add the softened butter, harissa paste, gently warmed honey and a generous pinch of flaky sea salt to a bowl.

Mix together with a fork until smooth and well combined. Set aside while you cook the prawns.

3. Cook the tiger prawns

Heat a splash of extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan or grill plate over medium-high heat.

Place the prawns shell-side down and cook for around 2 minutes before turning. Continue cooking until the flesh is opaque and cooked through.

If the prawns contain roe, you'll notice the roe change from green to a vibrant orange as it cooks.

Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the prawns in batches if necessary so each one has enough direct heat to develop a beautiful sear.

4. Add the honey harissa butter

While the prawns are still hot, brush or spoon over a generous amount of the honey harissa butter.

Melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan or microwave, then arrange the cooked prawns on a large serving platter and pour the melted butter over the top.

Finish with fresh chives and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

5. Serve

Serve immediately with plenty of crusty bread for dipping into the honey harissa butter and prawn juices.

And don't be shy with the butter — that's half the fun.

Can You Cook Skull Island Tiger Prawns on the BBQ?

Absolutely. These prawns are particularly good on the BBQ.

Preheat your BBQ or grill to medium-high heat and lightly brush the butterflied prawns with olive oil. Place them directly onto the grill and cook until the flesh is opaque and cooked through.

The open flame adds a delicious smoky char that works beautifully with the sweet and spicy honey harissa butter.

For the best result, keep a close eye on the prawns while they're cooking. Large prawns don't need excessive cooking time, and you want to keep the flesh juicy and tender.

Tips for Cooking Tiger Prawns

Don't automatically remove the green centre.
If you notice a green vein running through the centre of the prawn, it may actually be roe rather than the digestive tract. When cooked, it turns a vibrant orange and is edible.

Don't overcrowd the pan.
Cooking too many prawns at once can reduce the temperature of the pan and prevent them from developing a good sear. Cook in batches if needed.

Try them on the BBQ.
A hot grill gives the prawns an irresistible smoky char and is an easy option when you're entertaining outdoors.

Have plenty of bread ready.
The honey harissa butter and prawn juices are too good to leave behind. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

What to Serve with Honey Harissa Tiger Prawns

These prawns are made for sharing. Keep the sides simple so the seafood remains the star.

Try serving them with:

  • Crusty sourdough or grilled bread
  • A fresh green salad
  • Grilled vegetables
  • Lemon wedges
  • A simple couscous or grain salad
  • Charred corn
  • Crispy roast potatoes

For a relaxed summer spread, serve the prawns straight from the BBQ on a large platter with grilled bread, fresh herbs and lemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cook tiger prawns?

Tiger prawns can be pan-fried, grilled or cooked on the BBQ. For this recipe, butterflied prawns are cooked shell-side down first in a hot pan or on a grill, then turned and cooked until the flesh becomes opaque.

Should you leave the shell on tiger prawns?

Yes. Cooking tiger prawns in their shells helps protect the flesh during cooking and can add extra flavour. Butterflying the prawns while leaving the shell intact also makes them easy to cook and serve.

Can you BBQ tiger prawns?

Yes. Tiger prawns are excellent cooked on a BBQ. Brush them lightly with olive oil and cook over medium-high heat until the flesh is opaque and cooked through. The shell helps protect the prawn while the BBQ adds a delicious smoky flavour.

What is harissa butter?

Harissa butter is a flavoured butter made by combining softened butter with harissa paste. In this recipe, honey is added to balance the chilli and spice of the harissa, creating a rich, sweet and slightly spicy sauce for the prawns.

What should I serve with tiger prawns?

Tiger prawns work well with simple sides such as crusty bread, fresh salads, grilled vegetables, couscous and lemon. For this recipe, crusty bread is particularly good for soaking up the honey harissa butter.

Cook Something Worth Sharing

Big prawns, a hot grill and plenty of honey harissa butter — that's all you need for a seafood dish that makes an impression.

Shop Skull Island Tiger Prawns online at Manettas and bring restaurant-worthy prawns to your next dinner, BBQ or seafood feast.


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