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Home » Rice Recipes

Prawn Pulao | Shrimp Pulao

Published: Nov 22, 2023 · Modified: Mar 18, 2024 by Motions and Emotions

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Prawn pulao or Shrimp Pulao is a tasty and aromatic rice dish popular in many coastal regions. It is a favorite among seafood lovers due to its rich flavors and fragrant spices. The dish is typically made with basmati rice, prawns, and blend of spices.

bowlful of prawn pulao along with curd and salad
Jump to:
  • About Prawn Pulao
  • Why Should You Make Prawn Pulao?
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Variations
  • Make Ahead & Storage
  • Top tips
  • FAQ
  • You Might Also Like
  • Prawn Pulao

About Prawn Pulao

Prawn Pulao is a popular dish in coastal areas and is prepared using various techniques and ingredients. There are several varieties of Prawn Pulao, each with its own distinct flavor and style.

The Goan Prawn Pulao is a prominent variety recognized for its unique flavor. It is typically made with basmati rice, prawns, coconut milk, and various spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, and ginger.

Another variation is the Prawn Pulao Mangalorean style. It is known for its spicy and tangy taste. Mangalorean Prawn Pulao is typically made with basmati rice, prawns, tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and a range of spices such as coriander, cumin, turmeric, and red chili powder.

Why Should You Make Prawn Pulao?

This prawn rice recipe is well-known not only for its flavor but also for its simplicity in preparation, making it a favorite among home cooks who want to prepare a special meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

This Prawn Pulao is

  • Easy-to-prepare
  • Perfect for weeknight dinner or lunchbox
  • Made with few ingredients
  • Totally hassle free
  • Quick
  • Not required elaborate preparation

Ingredients

Prawn: I have used medium prawns (finger size or little smaller than this) for this recipe. The size of the prawns might vary, although small to medium-sized prawns are typically used for this meal. You can either use fresh or frozen prawns.

Rice: Long grain basmati rice is my choice for making prawn pulao. Good quality rice gives the best result. You can sona masoori rice as well however, basmati rice gives a good fragrance.

basmati rice in a yellow bowl

Spice Powders: I have used turmeric powder, red chilli powder and coriander powder in this recipe.

Oil and Ghee: I have used mix of vegetable oil and ghee in this recipe. You can also use either of them.

Onion, Ginger, Garlic: Apart from the spice powders, this recipe also calls for chopped onion, ginger and garlic paste. I would recommend using homemade ginger-garlic paste for the same.

Whole Spices: Added basic whole spices such as bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom and clove to make the pulao aromatic.

Others: Salt to taste.

Instructions

Learn to make this flavorful dish by following step-by-step prawn pulao recipe or shrimp pulao recipe. There are two ways of making this pulao.

Firstly, marinate the prawns and later cooked them along with basmati rice and spices. This is the regular way of making any kind of pulao.

However, here I have done it slightly different way. I have cooked the rice separately. Later I cooked the marinated prawn along with spices and finally mixed it with cooked rice. The prawns will not be overcooked in this method, and we can also avoid overcooking the rice, which can occasionally result in mushy rice.

Overcooking of prawn results in rubbery texture. Hence, if you follow the second method which may not be traditional method of making pulao but gives you the best outcome.

Wash, clean and devein the prawns. I have also removed the head along with the shell.

marinating prawns

Now marinate prawns with turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt, ginger and garlic paste for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also add lemon juice while marination.

rice cooked and spread in a plate

Meanwhile wash and soak rice for 10-15 minutes. Later drain the water and cook the rice. After that spread the rice in a plate and allow it to cool.

adding spices in oil followed by chopped onion and marinated prawns

Heat oil and ghee together in a pan and add whole spices. Once the oil turns fragrant add chopped onion.

After few minutes add marinated prawns. Cook the prawns for 7-8 minutes, or until they are done. Now add the cooked rice and mix well with the masala, along with the delicious prawns.

cooking prawn and later combining it with cooked rice

At this point, add the salt and thoroughly combine. Finally, the prawn pulao is done.

Serving Suggestions

Prawn pulao is a tasty and filling dish that showcases the richness of coastal cuisine, whether eaten alone or with raita or salad. It is often served as a main course or as part of a larger meal. This meal is ideal for social occasions or family dinners because of its tempting aroma and wonderful taste.

bowlful of prawn pulao along with curd and salad

Variations

Many people add vegetables like carrot, beans in prawn pulao. However, I did not like the vegetables in the prawn pulao and avoided it.

As we all know, prawns go well with coconut. You can prepare prawn pulao with coconut milk by following the first method of cooking (i.e. cooking prawn along with rice) then you can also add coconut milk instead of water while making the pulao.

Make Ahead & Storage

Definitely, you can make ahead this dish way ahead of time and just re-heat and serve as required.

You may also prepare part of the recipe ahead of time, such as the rice, and store it in the refrigerator. When the time comes, simply marinade the prawns and swiftly cook this dish.

Leftover pulao can be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Top tips

  • Do not overcook the prawns, they will be rubbery in nature.
  • Always cool the rice before adding it to the prawn spice mixture. You can also use leftover rice.

FAQ

How to clean and devein prawns?

Visit this link to find out the step-by-step process.

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bowlful of prawn pulao along with curd and salad
Print

Prawn Pulao

Prawn pulao is a savory rice dish made with luscious prawns, aromatic basmati rice, and a variety of spices.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Active Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Prawn Recipes, Pulao Recipes, Rice Recipes
Author: Amrita

Materials

  • 2 cups Basmati Rice
  • 200 gms Prawn
  • 1 no Onion, Big chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger Paste
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste
  • ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 2-3 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Ghee
  • 1 no Bay Leaf
  • 1-2 no Cardamom
  • ½ inch Cinnamon
  • 1-2 no Clove

Instructions

  • Wash and clean the prawns and marinate with salt, turmeric, red chilli and coriander powder, ginger and garlic paste for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, wash and soak rice in water for 10-15 minutes.
  • Cook the rice and put it out on a plate to cool.
  • Now heat oil and ghee together in a pan and add the whole spices.
  • When the oil turns fragrant, add chopped onion.
  • Once the onion turns transparent add the marinated prawns.
  • Cook the prawns for 7-8 minutes or until they are done.
  • Now add cooked rice and combine well with the masala along with succulent prawns.
  • Add salt at this stage and mix well.
  • Finally, prawn pulao is ready to serve.

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Hello and Welcome to Motions and Emotions - Food Diary - one stop blog for everyday recipes. I am Amrita, a medical writer by profession and food blogger by passion.

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