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)
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
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
Instructions
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)
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
© Swasthi’s Recipes
priti says
Hi Swasthi,
This is not the first time I tried your recipe. i made it for what I wanted – a special Sunday lunch. Followed your recipe to the T as it sounded simple but very good!
I can’t tell you how very disappointed we were. It was nothing like a pulao – completely tasteless and insipid! I just couldn’t believe that a dish with such good ingredients and method of cooking could taste so bland. I wonder what I did wrong??
priti, pune
swasthi says
Hi Priti
The flavor in a dish comes from the spices and garam masala used. Your dish turns out bland even after adding mint & so many spices, then it means you did not use a good garam masala. My recipe also mentions to adjust the quantity to your taste. Change your garam masala & give another try.
Ajay Bhardwaj says
I cooked it yesterday after making Biryani masala as per your recipe. It turned out to be absolutely smashing. Depth of aromas was amazing and coconut milk added lovely richness and smokiness. Many thanks, keep it up!
swasthi says
You are welcome!
Glad it turned out good.
Thank you
Sandhya says
I was waiting for step by step receipe…
swasthi says
Oh Really! This is a very simple recipe. You can check this fish rice. The steps are the same.
Judith says
U have not added the bay leaf, cardamons etc. in yr recipe
swasthi says
I have mentioned them as pulao spices and added to hot oil under title
“making prawn pulao”.
Anyhow I will update and make it clear
Judith says
U have not added the bay leaf, cardamons etc. in yr recipe
Meenu says
Thanks very tasty
swasthi says
welcome