How to Clean Prawns
How to clean prawns properly is one of the first kitchen skills every seafood lover should know. I learned the easy way to clean, peel and devein prawns at home only after I got married, when cooking became part of everyday life. Here's how to do it with step-by-step photos and a quick video tutorial.
Servings: 1 pound
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife
Instructions
How to Clean Prawns
- 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.
How to Devein Prawns
- 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.
Video
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.