Tamarind-glazed king prawn tacos

Tamarind is a legume fruit with flesh that is amazingly sour and fruity at once. In Mexico, it's combined with sugar and chilli to create one of the most exciting sweet-sour-spicy flavour profiles. This sauce coats the fried prawns like a glaze, caramelising in the hot pan.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 460 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Frying pan
  • Small saucepan

Allergen Information

⚠️ Crustaceans

Instructions

1

Clean prawns. Make sauce: boil tamarind, sugar, orange juice, and chopped chilli together.

Tip: Taste it! Tamarind acidity varies by brand, adjust balance with sugar.
2

Fry prawns in garlic oil on high heat.

Tip: Don't crowd pan so they sear, not steam.
3

When prawns are almost done, pour over some sauce and let it bake on (glazing).

Tip: Sugary sauce caramelises fast on prawns, creating extra flavour layer.
4

Serve with thinly sliced vegetables.

Tip: Fresh, crunchy veg needed with sticky, intense sauce.

Recipe FAQ

Where can I get tamarind?
Asian or international shops as paste. If pods, soak and sieve seeds.

Ingredients

  • 400 g King prawns
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 pc Lime
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 8 pcs Tortillas
  • 3 tbsp Tamarind paste
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Orange juice
  • 1 pc Chilli pepper
  • 10 g Fresh coriander
  • 1 pc Red onion
  • 100 g Cabbage