Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Toasts
Rated 5.0 stars by 2 users
Servings
3-4
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
3 minutes
This prawn avocado toast recipe gives the classic prawn cocktail a fresh and satisfying update. Juicy tiger prawns are served with crisp iceberg lettuce and a creamy, lightly spiced cocktail sauce alongside slices of avocado on golden toast.
The combination of prawn and avocado works beautifully here. The rich, creamy avocado balances the sweet, delicate flavour of the prawns, while fresh lemon adds brightness and acidity. Serving avocado and prawns on toast also turns a traditional starter into something a little more substantial.
For an extra-special avocado prawn cocktail, use large tiger prawns, which have a wonderfully meaty texture. You could also experiment with a mixture of prawns, or add finely sliced fennel or fresh chilli to give the dish your own twist.
Quick to prepare and full of fresh flavours, this prawn cocktail with avocado toast makes an elegant starter or light lunch.
Ingredients
-
1 kg tiger prawns
- 2 avocados, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1 iceberg lettuce
-
2 lemons
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Splash of Tabasco
- A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- White bread for toasting
Directions
Method
Step 1, Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and add the tiger prawns. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the prawns have turned completely pink. Once cooked, immediately transfer them to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming overcooked.
Step 2, Toast the white bread until golden. Thinly slice the avocados and arrange them over the toast, then finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set the prawn avocado toast aside while you prepare the cocktail sauce.
Step 3, Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, Tabasco, a squeeze of lemon juice and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then mix thoroughly until you have a smooth and creamy prawn cocktail sauce.
Step 4, Arrange a few iceberg lettuce leaves on each plate and spoon over some of the cocktail sauce, followed by the cooked prawns. Add a wedge of lemon and the prepared avocado toasts on the side. Serve the avocado prawn cocktail immediately.
Recipe Note
Prawn and Avocado: A Fresh Take on a Classic
The classic prawn cocktail is known for its combination of succulent prawns, crisp lettuce and creamy cocktail sauce. Adding avocado toast introduces another texture and makes this version more substantial without losing the character of the original dish.
Prawn and avocado are particularly well matched because the buttery texture of ripe avocado complements the firm, juicy prawns. Lemon cuts through the richness, while smoked paprika, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce give the cocktail sauce extra depth.
Using tiger prawns makes the dish particularly impressive for entertaining, while serving the avocado separately on crisp toast provides a contrast to the cool, creamy prawn cocktail.
FAQs
Do prawns and avocado go together?
Yes. Prawn and avocado is a classic combination because the creamy texture and mild flavour of avocado complement the sweetness of prawns. Lemon juice works particularly well with both ingredients and adds freshness to the finished dish.
How do you make prawn avocado toast?
To make prawn avocado toast, toast slices of white bread until golden, then top with thinly sliced ripe avocado. Season with fresh lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper and serve alongside the prawns. You can also place the prawns directly on the avocado toast if preferred.
How long should you cook tiger prawns?
For this recipe, the tiger prawns are cooked in boiling salted water for around 3–4 minutes, or until they have turned completely pink. They are then transferred immediately to cold water to stop the cooking process.
What is prawn cocktail sauce made from?
This prawn cocktail sauce is made with mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, Tabasco, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Salt and freshly ground black pepper are added to taste.
How do you make an avocado prawn cocktail?
For this avocado prawn cocktail, cook the prawns and serve them over crisp iceberg lettuce with homemade cocktail sauce. Thinly sliced avocado is seasoned with lemon, salt and pepper and served on toasted bread alongside the cocktail.
Can you serve avocado and prawns on toast?
Yes. Avocado and prawns on toast make an excellent starter, brunch dish or light lunch. You can serve the prawns directly over avocado toast or, as in this recipe, serve the avocado toast alongside a traditional prawn cocktail.
What can I serve with prawn avocado toast?
Prawn avocado toast works well with fresh lemon wedges, crisp salad leaves and homemade cocktail sauce. For additional flavour and texture, you could also add thinly sliced fennel or fresh chilli.
Can I use different prawns for prawn cocktail?
Yes. While this recipe uses tiger prawns for their size and texture, you can use a mixture of prawns if preferred. Mediterranean red shrimp or deep-water rose shrimp are alternatives suggested in the original recipe.
