If you love prawns with a delicious sweet and savoury sauce, you need to try these caramelized soy sauce garlic butter prawns! This is a quick and easy Asian-inspired prawn recipe that takes just 15 minutes to make, making it perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

The prawns are coated in a rich sauce made with caramelized sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. A tablespoon of butter added at the end gives the sauce a beautiful glossy finish and a rich, buttery flavour.

The caramelized sugar is what makes this recipe special. It adds a lovely aroma and balances the savoury flavours of the sauces, creating a delicious coating that clings to every prawn.

I love serving these prawns with a bowl of steamed rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. It's a simple homemade meal that feels special but requires very little effort!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ready in 15 minutes: Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner when you're short on time.

Sweet and savoury: Caramelized sugar balances the rich, salty flavours of soy sauce and oyster sauce.

Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday Asian cooking ingredients.

Rich and glossy sauce: Butter added at the end makes the sauce silky and delicious.

Perfect with rice: Serve with steamed rice for an easy and satisfying meal.

Things you need:

Non Stick Wok - https://link.amazon/B03NFH3T5

Measuring Spoons: https://link.amazon/A0eliWTA2

Measuring Cup : https://link.amazon/B07Oo7Dlo

INGREDIENTS

Prawns/ Shrimp - 350g

Sugar - 1.5 tbsp

Garlic - 7 cloves or 40g

Butter - 1 tbsp or 25g

Light Soy Sauce - 2 tbsp or to taste

Dark Soy Sauce - 1 tbsp or to taste

Oyster Sauce - 1.5 tbsp or to taste

Scallions - 25g

Cooking oil - 2 tbsp

Make the caramel

Add 1½ tablespoons of sugar to a pan over medium heat. Let the sugar melt until it becomes a golden liquid.

Carefully add 2 tablespoons of water and swirl the pan until caramel dissolves into a smooth liquid. Be careful, as hot caramel can bubble and splatter when water is added.

Note - do not stir, just swirl the pan

Prepare the stir-fry sauce

In a small bowl, combine the caramel liquid with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix well and set aside.

This sweet and savoury sauce is what gives the prawns their delicious flavour and beautiful colour.

Prepare the prawns

I bought prawns that were already cleaned, shelled, and deveined to save time. I then make a shallow cut along the back of each prawn to butterfly them, which helps the delicious sauce coat the prawns better.

Stir-fry the prawns

Heat 2 tablespoon of neutral cooking oil in a wok over medium-high heat.

Add the prawns and stir-fry for approximately 5–6 minutes, until they are about 80% cooked.

Cook the prawns in two batches to avoid overcrowding the wok. This helps them cook more evenly.

Remove the prawns from the wok and set aside.

Sauté the garlic and scallions

Using the same wok, add the crushed garlic and the white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

Return the prawns to the wok and toss them in the fragrant garlic and scallion oil.

Pour in the prepared sauce and stir-fry for another minute, allowing the sauce to coat the prawns.

Add the green parts of the scallions and toss everything together until the prawns are fully cooked.

Finish with butter

Add 1 tablespoon of butter and toss until it melts into the sauce.

The butter gives the sauce a glossy finish and a rich, delicious flavour. Your caramelized soy sauce garlic butter prawns are now ready to serve!

See the YouTube video for step-by-step cooking process: Caramelized Soy Sauce Garlic Butter Prawns | Easy 15-Minute Asian Recipe

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Prawns

My favourite way to enjoy these prawns is with a bowl of freshly steamed rice. The sweet and savoury sauce tastes amazing spooned over the rice.

You can also serve them with stir-fried vegetables, steamed Asian greens, or simple garlic noodles for a more substantial meal.

Tips for Making the Best Garlic Butter Prawns

Don't burn the sugar. Watch the sugar carefully as it melts. You want a golden caramel colour, not a dark, burnt one, which can make the sauce bitter.

Be careful when adding water. Hot caramel can bubble vigorously, so add the water carefully and keep your hands and face away from the pan.

Cook the prawns in batches. Overcrowding the wok can cause the prawns to steam instead of stir-fry properly.

Don't overcook the prawns. Prawns can become tough and rubbery if cooked for too long. Cooking time depends on their size, so watch for them to turn opaque and curl into a loose C shape.

Add the butter at the end. This helps give the sauce its glossy appearance and rich flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen prawns?

Yes! Thaw frozen prawns completely and pat them dry before cooking. This helps prevent excess water from diluting the sauce.

Can I make this recipe without oyster sauce?

Oyster sauce adds a distinctive savoury flavour. You can substitute a vegetarian mushroom stir-fry sauce if you prefer, although the flavour will be slightly different.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. You can mix the caramel liquid with the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce ahead of time. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and use it when you're ready to cook.

What is the best way to serve these prawns?

Serve them immediately with steamed rice while the prawns are tender and the sauce is glossy.

Final Thoughts

These caramelized soy sauce garlic butter prawns are proof that a delicious homemade meal doesn't need to be complicated. With simple ingredients, a sweet and savoury sauce, and a finishing touch of butter, you can make a flavour-packed Asian-inspired dinner in just 15 minutes.

Give this easy prawn recipe a try the next time you're craving something quick, delicious, and perfect with rice!

If you enjoy easy Asian recipes, don't forget to explore more recipes here at Mon's Easy Kitchen.

Caramelized Soy Sauce Garlic Butter Prawns