Camarones a la Diabla (Devilled Prawns)
Plump prawns simmered in a fiery, smoky red chilli sauce with garlic and lime, served with Mexican red rice.
Made with Mexican red rice (arroz rojo) and Salsa a la diabla. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.30 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Reheat your ready made arroz rojo (see the base recipe) gently with a splash of water, covered, until steaming hot all the way through.
- 2
Pat the prawns dry. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat and cook the prawns for 1 minute each side, until just pink. Take them out.
2 min - 3
In the same pan, cook the garlic for 30 seconds, then pour in your ready made salsa a la diabla (see the base recipe). Bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.
2 min - 4
Return the prawns to the pan and simmer for 2 minutes more, until cooked through and coated in the sauce.
2 min - 5
Squeeze in the lime juice, scatter over the coriander and serve over the rice with the sliced onion and lime wedges.
Tips
- Prawns need only about 4 minutes in total. Overcooked prawns turn rubbery.
- To turn down the heat, serve with soured cream or avocado alongside.
- If the sauce is too thick, loosen with a splash of water. If too thin, simmer for a minute before adding the prawns back.
- Use head on prawns if you can find them, they add flavour, but peel them at the table.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool leftovers within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat once until steaming hot. Do not freeze cooked prawns.
Questions
How spicy is camarones a la diabla?
As hot as your salsa a la diabla. With 6 chiles de árbol it is very hot, with 2 it is medium. Serve with something cooling.
Can I use cooked prawns?
Yes. Add them to the simmering sauce for just 1 minute to warm through, so they stay tender.
What can I serve it with?
Mexican red rice, warm corn tortillas, or a simple avocado and lime salad. All soothe the heat.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. It uses only prawns, oil, chillies and vegetables, so it is gluten free and dairy free, if the rice was made with a suitable stock.
More made with mexican red rice (arroz rojo)
Pollo Asado con Arroz Rojo y Frijoles (Mexican Grilled Citrus Chicken)
GFDFEFBowls de Tofu al Pastor con Arroz Rojo y Piña (Tofu al Pastor Rice Bowls)
DFEFNFBurritos de Barbacoa con Arroz Rojo (Barbacoa Burritos)
EFNFBowls de Carne Asada con Arroz Rojo (Carne Asada Rice Bowls)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.