#GrillMasterSeries: How To Cook Wild African Tiger Black Prawns In The Oven
Quick answer
To cook giant tiger prawns, peel and devein them (leave the tail on), butterfly them, and top with butter, salt, and garlic. Roast at 400°F for about 10 minutes, until the flesh is opaque and pearly white. On the grill, cook butterflied prawns shell-side down over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes with the lid closed. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Growing up in the Caribbean, you learn to appreciate good seafood, and it makes it hard to enjoy seafood anywhere else. Years ago, on a trip to Asia, I saw a shrimp so big I didn't know such a thing existed. Back home, I couldn't find anything like it. Most supermarket shrimp is small and flavorless.
That changed when I met an importer who supplies seafood to a handful of fine restaurants. I jokingly asked if he had a shrimp big enough to sink a boat. He said he had one of the biggest shrimp sold in the US. A relationship was born, and we've since sold many, many pounds of shrimp almost big enough to sink a boat.
What are wild African black tiger prawns?
Black tiger prawns, also called black tiger shrimp or giant tiger prawns, are named for the dark stripes across their shells. Ours are wild-caught and huge: our monster tiger prawns are graded U2, meaning fewer than two prawns per pound. Each one weighs roughly half a pound with the head and shell on.
They're sweet, buttery, and much firmer than regular shrimp, with a meaty bite closer to lobster tail. Some people call them the "tomahawk of the sea." Want something a little smaller? Our wild-caught tiger prawns cook the same way in less time.
You can roast them, grill them, or sear them in a pan. In the video below, our co-founder Gabriel shows the easiest method: the oven.
Tiger prawn cooking times
Times below are for butterflied U2 prawns (about ½ lb each). Smaller prawns cook faster, so start checking a few minutes early. They're done when the flesh turns from translucent gray to opaque, pearly white. Overcooked prawns turn rubbery quickly, so pull them as soon as they're there.
| Method | Heat | U2 prawns (~½ lb each) |
|---|---|---|
| Oven (our method) | 400°F | About 10 minutes |
| Grill, shell-side down, lid closed | Medium-high | 5–7 minutes |
| Cast iron on the stovetop | Medium-high | 3–4 minutes per side |
The FDA recommends cooking shellfish to 145°F, or until the flesh is opaque and pearly. A quick check with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part takes the guesswork out.
How to cook tiger prawns in the oven, step by step
Step 1: Open the package
If your prawns are frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge, or seal them in a bag and submerge them in cold water for 30–60 minutes. Pat them dry before you start.
Step 2: Peel the prawns, leaving the tail on
Twist off the head and peel away the shell, leaving the tail attached for a better look on the plate. Don't throw the heads away: they're packed with flavor and make an excellent seafood stock or shrimp butter.
Step 3: Remove the vein
Run a small knife along the back of the prawn and lift out the dark vein. On prawns this size it's large and easy to see, and removing it keeps the texture clean.
Step 4: Butterfly from the top
Cut down through the back of the prawn, stopping before you go all the way through, and open it flat like a book. Butterflying helps these thick prawns cook quickly and evenly, and gives the butter more surface to soak into.
Step 5: Place them in a cast iron skillet, cut side up
Arrange the butterflied prawns in a cast iron skillet or baking dish, cut side facing up. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 6: Add butter, salt, and minced garlic
Top each prawn with a pat of butter, a pinch of salt, and some minced garlic. That's all these need.
Step 7: Roast at 400°F for about 10 minutes
Roast until the flesh is opaque and pearly white all the way through. Start checking at 8 minutes. If your prawns are smaller than U2, they'll be ready sooner.
Step 8: Finish with a squeeze of lemon
Spoon the melted garlic butter from the pan back over the prawns and finish with fresh lemon juice.
Step 9: Enjoy
Serve them right away. They're a showstopper on their own, or pair them with a steak for the ultimate surf and turf. Good friends, good food, good times. That's what life's all about.
How to grill tiger prawns
Prep them exactly the same way through Step 4, but leave the shell on the underside to protect the meat from the heat. Brush the cut side with melted garlic butter and place them shell-side down over medium-high heat. Close the lid and cook for 5–7 minutes, until the flesh is opaque, basting once with more butter. There's no need to flip them.
What you'll need
- Monster wild African tiger prawns (U2) or wild-caught tiger prawns
- Butter, salt, and fresh garlic
- A lemon
- A cast iron skillet or baking dish
Explore more of our lobsters and prawns or our full seafood selection.
Tiger prawn FAQ
How long do you cook tiger prawns in the oven?
Butterflied U2 tiger prawns (about ½ lb each) take about 10 minutes at 400°F. Smaller prawns need less time. They're done when the flesh is opaque and pearly white.
How do you know when tiger prawns are cooked?
The flesh turns from translucent gray to opaque, pearly white, and the prawn firms up. The FDA recommends cooking shellfish to 145°F. Pull them as soon as they're done, since overcooked prawns turn rubbery.
Are tiger prawns and tiger shrimp the same thing?
Yes. Black tiger shrimp and black tiger prawns are names for the same species. "Prawn" is more common for the larger sizes and in many countries outside the US.
What does U2 mean for prawns?
U2 means "under 2": there are fewer than two prawns per pound, so each weighs roughly half a pound. Keep in mind that the weight includes the head and shell, so the edible meat per prawn is less than that.
Can you cook tiger prawns from frozen?
For the best texture, thaw them first, either overnight in the fridge or sealed in a bag under cold water for 30–60 minutes. Cooking giant prawns from frozen tends to overcook the outside before the center is done.
Should you remove the vein from tiger prawns?
Yes. On prawns this size, the vein is large and gritty. It's easy to remove with a small knife along the back.
Are tiger prawns better than lobster?
That's a matter of taste, but we think giant tiger prawns give lobster tail a serious run for its money: sweet and buttery, with a firm, meaty bite, and far easier to prepare.
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