I learned how to clean and devein prawns only after marriage, and it's become a fun little teamwork at home. Here's an easy step-by-step guide showing how to clean, peel, and devein prawns or shrimp easily for beginners.
Rinse the prawns. Place prawns in a bowl and rinse under cold or room-temperature water. Avoid warm or hot water, as it can start cooking the prawns and make them rubbery.
Hold the prawn by the head with one hand and the body with the other. Twist gently to remove the head.
Peel starting from the side with the legs. Remove legs first, then crack the shell from the softer underside using your thumbs. Peel only halfway. Hold the meaty part and pinch the tail to slide the shell off. You can leave the tail tip on if you like.
Make a shallow cut along the back from head to tail. Do not cut too deep.
You'll see a thin black line (intestinal tract). Remove it using the tip of a knife or a toothpick. Pull it out in one piece and discard.
Rinse the prawn quickly under cold water to wash away any leftover residue. Pat prawns dry with a paper towel. Store in the fridge if not cooking immediately. You can freeze it for storing it for long time.
Notes
While cleaning and deveining a large batch of prawns, I always keep them in cold water or ice water. Cold water prevents the flesh from becoming soft and mushy.