About Prawns Ghee Roast
Are you craving for something that is irresistibly spicy, rich, and coastal?
We bring you the prawn ghee roast recipe that will make you experience the Boldness of Mangalore at your plate.
It is a killer combination of heat, aroma, and buttery indulgence.
Along with its fiery goodness, you will also avail the benefits of eating prawns like lean protein, omega-3, and other essential nutrients, which will keep your heart healthy and body happy.
What else can you ask for other than a dish that is wholesome and delicious?
Ok! then let’s get cooking!
Tips for Making the Best Mangalorean Style Prawn Ghee Roast

To make the perfect prawn ghee roast restaurant style, you need to have the correct technique along with the required ingredients.
Follow the 6 steps provided below, and you will be able to recreate the same Authentic Mangalorean magic in your kitchen.
Use Big Prawns

Use large or fresh jumbo prawns for this recipe, as they tend to retain their juice and absorb masala without breaking apart. Smaller ones are not preferred as they shrink and lose their texture quickly during roasting. Explore our different types of prawns guide.
Make Use of a Heavy-Bottom Pan
Make use of a heavy-bottomed or cast-iron pan, as it will make it easier for you to evenly roast the masalas and avoid burning. The ghee should shimmer and not smoke, which is the cue for you to add the masalas.
Do Not Miss Out on Any Ingredients While Preparing the Ghee Roast Paste
The paste is the heart of the prawns ghee roast recipe dish. From the heat that the red chilies provide, the earthy warmth of the coriander seeds, and the tanginess of the tamarind. Missing even a single ingredient can spoil the flavor and its balance.
Use Only Ghee and Not Oil

As the name signifies, authentic ghee roasts are cooked in ghee and not oil. Ghee provides the required nutty aroma and silky texture, making the dish stand apart. Substituting it for oil will take away its soul.
Shallow Fry the Prawns Before the Recipe
A quick shallow fry right at the beginning will prevent the prawns from losing their juiciness and make them crispy. There also won’t be any risk of overcooking it when you add prawns to the Masala later.
Marination Time

Marinate the prawns and allow them to mix for no more than 30 minutes. Half an hour should be enough for the flavors to seep in. If you wish, you can keep the marinated prawns in the refrigerator.
⏱️ Prep Time, Cook Time, Servings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Marination Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
- Serves: 3–4 people
- Meal Type: Main Course / Side Dish (works as both)
- Cuisine: Mangalorean / Coastal Indian / South Indian
Ingredients
For Marinade
- 500g large prawns (cleaned & deveined)
- 2.5 tbsp yogurt (Dahi)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
For Ghee Roast Masala
- 8–10 dry Kashmiri Red chillies (preferably Byadgi for color)
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ¼ fenugreek seeds (methi)
- 1/4 mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
- 4–5 garlic cloves
- 1 small piece tamarind pulp (soaked)
- 1 tablespoon jaggery (optional, for balance)
- 3 tablespoons ghee
👩🍳 Instructions for Prawn Ghee Roast Recipe
Step 1️⃣: Marinate the Prawns

Take a bowl and add the prawns to be eaten, along with yogurt, turmeric, Dried Red chilli powder, salt, and lemon juice. Coat them evenly and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This will make the prawns tender and allow them to absorb the flavors from the start.
Step 2️⃣: Prepare the Ghee Roast Masala Paste

Take red chilies, cumin, coriander seeds, peppercorns, and other spices & dry roast them on a low flame until they become fragrant. Once it cools down slightly, add garlic and tamarind and grind them into a smooth paste using water. This paste is the heart and soul of your prawns ghee roast recipe dish…..rich, spicy, and aromatic.
Step 3️⃣: Shallow Fry the Prawns

Take 1 tbsp ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan set over a medium heat. Add the marinated prawns to it & shallow fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side until you see them turn pinkish. Remove and set them aside as they will be cooked further along with the masala.
Step 4️⃣: Roast the Masala

Add another 2 tablespoons of ghee to the same pan. Add the ground masala paste and start roasting it on a medium flame. Keep on stirring until the ghee separates and the masala turns red and glossy. This step is important to enhance the flavor and remove the rawness of the spices.
Step 5️⃣: Combine and Cook

Add the prawns you shallow-fried earlier into the pan with masalas. Mix well and ensure that each pawn gets coated with the masalas. Cook it for another 5-7 minutes to allow it to absorb the flavors and the masala to thicken beautifully. Add salt, spice, or jaggery/sugar as per your preference & garnish with curry leaves and your Prawn ghee roast Mangalorean is ready to serve!
Nutritional Information (Per servings)
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Protein: 22.5 g
- Fat: 15.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.4 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Potassium: 310 mg
- Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Sugars: 0.6 g
- Vitamin A: 290 IU
- Vitamin C: 4 mg
- Calcium: 55 mg
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is prawn ghee roast healthy?
Yes, but when eaten in moderation, Prawns are rich in protein and low in fats, while the ghee provides good fats and rich flavor.
What to eat with prawn ghee roast?
It tastes best when served with neer dosa, boiled rice, and even chapati for a weekday meal.
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