James Martin Prawn Cocktail

James Martin’s prawn cocktail is a timeless British starter that feels both elegant and comforting. Juicy prawns are coated in a creamy, tangy Marie Rose style sauce and served over crisp lettuce for a refreshing contrast in texture. The flavour is rich yet balanced, with a gentle sweetness from the prawns and a light sharpness from lemon and tomato ketchup. This recipe is very easy to prepare and takes around 15 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

For the Prawn Cocktail

• 300g cooked king prawns, peeled
• 4 handfuls iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Fresh chives, finely chopped

For the Marie Rose Sauce

• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp horseradish sauce
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to Make James Martin Prawn Cocktail

• Prepare the serving dishes: Wash and finely shred the iceberg lettuce. Divide it between four serving glasses or small bowls to create a crisp base for the prawns.
• Make the sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and horseradish. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
• Add the prawns: Place the cooked king prawns into the bowl and gently fold them through the sauce so each prawn is lightly coated.
• Season the mixture: Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed.
• Assemble the cocktail: Spoon the prawn mixture over the prepared lettuce in each serving dish.
• Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped chives and place a lemon wedge on the side. Serve immediately for the freshest flavour.

Tips for the Best Prawn Cocktail

How do I keep the prawns juicy?

Use good quality cooked king prawns and avoid overmixing them in the sauce. Gentle folding keeps their texture firm and tender.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator. Add the prawns just before serving for the best texture.

What lettuce works best?

Iceberg lettuce is traditional because it stays crisp and refreshing, which balances the creamy sauce perfectly.

How can I make the sauce richer?

Add a little extra mayonnaise or a small spoonful of crème fraîche for a slightly richer and smoother dressing.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve in chilled cocktail glasses for a classic presentation
• Pair with buttered brown bread or toast
• Add slices of avocado for extra richness
• Serve as a light starter before a seafood main course

Storage

Room Temperature

Prawn cocktail should not be left out for more than 1 hour as seafood spoils quickly.

Refrigerator

Store the prawn mixture in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Keep the lettuce separate to maintain its crisp texture.

Freezing

This recipe is not suitable for freezing because the mayonnaise based sauce separates when thawed.

Nutrition

• Calories: 240 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 620mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

FAQs

James Martin Prawn Cocktail

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: StarterCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Total time

15

minutes

Calories

240

kcal

A classic prawn cocktail with juicy prawns tossed in a creamy Marie Rose sauce and served on crisp lettuce. A quick and elegant British starter.

Ingredients

• 300g cooked king prawns, peeled

• 4 handfuls crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded

• 4 tbsp mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp horseradish sauce

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Lemon wedges, to serve

• Fresh chives, finely chopped

Directions

• Place the mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and horseradish in a bowl.
• Stir well until smooth and evenly blended to create the classic Marie Rose sauce.
• Add the cooked prawns to the bowl and gently fold them through the sauce until well coated.
• Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Divide the shredded lettuce between serving glasses or bowls.
• Spoon the prawn mixture neatly over the lettuce.
• Finish with chopped chives and a lemon wedge before serving.

Notes

• Use good quality cooked king prawns for the best flavour.
• Chill the sauce before serving for a classic restaurant-style starter.
• Serve in glasses for the traditional prawn cocktail presentation.