How to Prepare Butterflied Prawns

Butterflying a prawn is a technique commonly used in cooking to prepare shrimp or prawns for various dishes. Butterflying involves splitting the prawn along its back, partially cutting it open to expose the meat while leaving it attached at the bottom. This method allows the prawn to cook more evenly and provides a larger surface area for seasoning or stuffing.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to butterfly a prawn:

Peel the Prawn

Start by removing the shell of the prawn. You can leave the tail intact for presentation if desired. To remove the shell, hold the prawn firmly with one hand and grasp the shell with the other hand. Gently peel the shell away, starting from the underside (belly) of the prawn and working your way around. You can also leave the last segment of the shell and the tail intact for aesthetic purposes.

Devein the Prawn (Optional)

Once the prawn is peeled, you may choose to devein it. The “vein” is actually the digestive tract, and while it’s not harmful to eat, many people prefer to remove it for aesthetic reasons. To devein the prawn, use a small paring knife or a deveining tool to make a shallow incision along the back of the prawn. Lift out the dark vein with the tip of the knife or a toothpick and discard it.

Make the Incision

With the prawn peeled and optionally deveined, lay it flat on a cutting board with the belly side down. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow incision along the back of the prawn, starting from the head end and stopping just before the tail. Be careful not to cut all the way through the prawn; you want to create a deep slit without completely separating the two halves.

Open Up the Prawn 

Once the incision is made, gently open up the prawn along the cut you’ve created. Press down lightly to flatten the prawn, spreading it out like a butterfly with the meat exposed. The prawn should still be attached at the bottom, forming a hinge.

Press Flat (Optional)

If desired, you can press down gently on the butterflied prawn with the palm of your hand to flatten it further. This step helps ensure even cooking and creates a larger surface area for seasoning or stuffing.

Rinse (Optional)

Some chefs prefer to rinse the butterflied prawns under cold water to remove any residual debris or to stop the cooking process if they are being prepared in advance. If you choose to rinse the prawns, pat them dry with paper towels before cooking.

Butterflied prawns are versatile and can be grilled, pan-seared, sautéed, or used in various recipes like shrimp scampi, prawn cocktails, or stuffed prawns. Mastering this technique allows you to create beautifully presented seafood dishes that are sure to impress.