Soy Garlic Marinade for Prawns

Name: BBQ Soy & Garlic Prawns Marinade
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 2-4 servings
Cuisine: Australian
Ingredients: Soy & Garlic Prawns Marinade; Salt; Black pepper; Olive oil

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

Flavourful BBQ marinade with fresh herbs

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels

Quick Answer

Soy & Garlic Prawns Marinade: Combine 80ml soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 cloves garlic (minced), and more. Marinate 15-30 minutes. Grill until internal temp reaches 63°C (145°F) — opaque and pink.

About This Marinade

This soy & garlic marinade brings a umami-rich, savoury, deeply satisfying flavour profile to your prawns. Use low-sodium soy sauce if marinating for longer periods. The sesame oil adds depth.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Marinate Time

15-30 min

Flavour Profile

umami-rich, savoury, deeply satisfying

Best Cuts

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

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
soy sauce	80ml
sesame oil	2 tbsp
garlic (minced)	4 cloves
fresh ginger (grated)	1 tbsp
honey	2 tbsp
rice wine vinegar	1 tbsp
chilli flakes	1 tsp

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 Soy & Garlic Prawns Marinade

Combine: Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl or ziplock bag until well combined.
Prep the prawns: Pat the prawns dry with paper towel. Peel and devein if desired, or leave shell on for extra flavour.
Marinate: Add the prawns to the marinade, making sure every piece is well coated. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes (no longer!).
Bring to temp: Remove from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off.
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.
Rest: Let the prawns rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Soy & Garlic Prawns

Don't skip the rest — resting allows the juices to redistribute for a juicier result.
Watch the clock — prawns go from perfect to rubbery in seconds. Pull them off the moment they turn pink and opaque.
Reserve some marinade — set aside a portion before adding raw meat to use as a finishing sauce or baste.
Oil the grates — clean, oiled grates prevent sticking and give you better grill marks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Marinating too long in acid — more than 30 minutes will start chemically "cooking" the prawns, making them mushy.
Grilling straight from the fridge — cold meat doesn't cook evenly. Let it come to room temperature first.
Using the same marinade as a sauce — never reuse marinade that has touched raw meat. Always reserve a clean portion first.
Overcrowding the BBQ — give each piece space so it sears rather than steams.

Best Prawns Cuts for Soy & Garlic 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 soy & garlic marinade?

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

Can I use soy & garlic marinade on other meats?

Yes! Soy & Garlic 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 soy & garlic marinated prawns?

Grill soy & garlic 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

Beer Prawns Marinade Citrus Prawns Marinade Yoghurt Prawns Marinade Soy & Garlic Chicken Marinade Soy & Garlic Beef Marinade All Cooking Times

Sources & References

Serious Eats

Kenji Lopez-Alt's science of grilling fish without sticking.

Reference

Mad Scientist BBQ (YouTube)

Seafood BBQ experiments with detailed cook logs.

Video

Weber Grill Skills

Weber Australia's guide to grilling seafood on the BBQ.

Manufacturer

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Official Australian seafood safety and handling guidelines.

Government