By Bill Ohaire | Published: April 2026 | Last Updated: April 2026

Flavourful BBQ marinade with fresh herbs

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels

Quick Answer

Garlic Herb Butter Prawns Marinade: Combine 100g butter (softened), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley (chopped), and more. Marinate 15-30 minutes. Grill until internal temp reaches 63°C (145°F) — opaque and pink.

About This Marinade

This garlic herb butter marinade brings a rich, buttery, aromatic flavour profile to your prawns. Melt and use as a marinade, or chill and slice for compound butter to melt over the finished meat. Both methods are brilliant.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Marinate Time

15-30 min

Flavour Profile

rich, buttery, aromatic

Best Cuts

king prawns (shell-on or peeled), tiger prawns

Ingredients

IngredientAmount
butter (softened)100g
garlic (minced)4 cloves
flat-leaf parsley (chopped)2 tbsp
fresh thyme leaves1 tbsp
fresh rosemary (finely chopped)1 tbsp
lemon zest1 tsp
salt and pepperAs needed

Prawns cook fast and absorb flavour fast. NEVER marinate prawns longer than 30 minutes in acidic marinades — the acid will start "cooking" them and they'll turn rubbery.

How to Make Garlic Herb Butter Prawns Marinade

  1. Combine: Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl or ziplock bag until well combined.
  2. Prep the prawns: Pat the prawns dry with paper towel. Peel and devein if desired, or leave shell on for extra flavour.
  3. Marinate: Add the prawns to the marinade, making sure every piece is well coated. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes (no longer!).
  4. Bring to temp: Remove from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off.
  5. BBQ: Shake off excess marinade and grill over high heat (220-250°C / 425-480°F) until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F) — opaque and pink.
  6. Rest: Let the prawns rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Garlic Herb Butter Prawns

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Best Prawns Cuts for Garlic Herb Butter Marinade

The best cuts of prawns for this marinade are: king prawns (shell-on or peeled), tiger prawns.

King prawns and tiger prawns are ideal — they're large enough to handle on the BBQ and have a sweet, firm flesh that stands up to bold flavours.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I marinate prawns in garlic herb butter marinade?

Marinate prawns in garlic herb butter marinade for 15-30 minutes maximum. Any longer and the acid will start breaking down the delicate flesh.

Can I use garlic herb butter marinade on other meats?

Yes! Garlic Herb Butter marinade works well on chicken and beef too. Adjust the marinating time based on the protein — delicate proteins need less time.

Should I marinate prawns in the fridge or at room temperature?

Always marinate in the fridge for food safety. Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Take the meat out 20-30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off for more even cooking.

What temperature should I BBQ garlic herb butter marinated prawns?

Grill garlic herb butter marinated prawns over high heat (220-250°C / 425-480°F). Cook until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F) — opaque and pink.

Related BBQ Guides

Sources & References

1
Mad Scientist BBQ (YouTube)
Seafood BBQ experiments with detailed cook logs.
Video
2
Weber Grill Skills
Weber Australia's guide to grilling seafood on the BBQ.
Manufacturer
3
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Official Australian seafood safety and handling guidelines.
Government
4
Guga Foods (YouTube)
Creative grilling experiments with seafood and premium ingredients.
Video