Prawn pulao (Shrimp pulao)

Prawn pulao recipe – Pulao is a basic rice dish made often in most Indian homes for their meal. The basic pulao is a one pot dish in which the spices are tempered first and then the veggies & rice are cooked together. However there are many kinds of fancy recipes that yield wonderful and aromatic pulao rice.

I have shared so many varieties of pulao on the blog. This prawn pulao recipe is adapted from the potato pulao I shared before. Prawn pulao can also be made in one pot. But most times the prawns get over cooked and turn hard or rubbery due to prolonged cooking. So I make this like the tawa pulao.

This is one way I make at home which is quick and is more flavorful and delicious than the one pot prawn pulao.

I have used tiger prawns here. You can use even the small variety of prawns. We serve this with onion, carrot and cucumber slices and feel a raita doesn’t go well with this.

For more similar simple recipes, you may like to check this rice recipes.

Tips to make perfect shrimp pulao

• This recipe needs precooked rice that is not mushy. You can cook the rice either in a cooker or in a pot. But ensure it is grainy and not sticky.
• If using basmati rice, soak it well for atleast 30 mins and then cook it. This helps the rice to cook to long grains & fluffy grains.
• Avoid overcooking the shrimps as they turn hard, chewy and rubbery. When you see they curl up to a C shape, stop cooking further.
• I have used whole spices for tempering. You can just skip them if you do not have. But they do add a good aroma here.

For more prawn recipes, you can check
Prawn fry
Dum prawn biryani
Prawn curry
Crispy prawn pakora

Prawn pulao recipe

Prawn pulao (shrimp pulao)

Simple prawn pulao recipe – made on tawa with basic ingredients. It can be served with onion, carrot and cucumber slices.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

Servings2

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

• 1 cup rice
• 200 grams prawns (any variety)
• 1 onion medium , sliced thinly
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste or 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 Handful mint leaves / pudina finely chopped
• 1 to 2 green chili slit (skip for kids)
• ½ to ¾ tsp Garam masala or biryani masala (adjust to suit your taste)
• ½ to ¾ tsp coriander powder
• ¼ tsp Red chili powder
• 1 pinch turmeric
• Salt as needed
• 2 to 3 tbsps coconut milk or 2 tbsp water (coconut milk adds taste and aroma)
• Oil as needed
• Lemon juice as desired (optional)

Whole spices or pulao spices

• 1 small bay leaf
• 3 green cardamoms
• 4 to 6 cloves
• 2 inch cinnamon stick
• ½ tsp Shahi jeera
• 1 star flower / star anise
• 1 strand mace

How to make the recipe

Preparation

• Wash and soak rice for about 30 mins.
• Cook it in whatever way you like either in the pot, pressure cooker or electric cooker.
• Cook rice till al dente. You can also add few drops of oil to the rice pot to keep the rice grainy. Rice should be grainy fully cooked but not mushy.
• Devein and clean prawns. Rinse them well. You can also wash them in vinegar to remove the fishy smell. Drain them completely and set aside.
• While the rice soaks and cooks, you can marinate prawns with ginger garlic paste, garam masala, coriander powder, red chili powder, salt and turmeric.

making prawn pulao

• Heat a pan with oil and saute all the pulao spices until fragrant.
• Add onions and saute until golden and cooked well. Transfer the prawns and saute for 2 to 3 mins or until the raw smell from the ginger garlic goes away. Add mint and saute for 2 mins.
• Cover and cook on a low heat until the prawns are completely cooked. Add the coconut milk or water and allow to thicken. You must be left with a thick curry like prawn mixture. At this stage if the prawn are swirled it means they are cooked completely. If not sprinkle little water and cook further. Overcooking makes them hard. So be sure not to overcook.
• Add cooked and cooled rice along with lemon juice. Mix well and serve prawn pulao hot with fresh onion, cucumber wedges and papad.

NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 252mg | Sodium: 870mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 4.2mg

If you are a beginner or new to Indian cooking, I highly suggest you to check the supporting step by step photos for best results. Step by step photos with description available below after the recipe card.