Camarones en Salsa Verde (Prawns in Green Salsa)
Plump garlicky prawns bathed in a tangy green sauce, served over red rice. Ready in about 20 minutes.
Made with Salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa) and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.64 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
Warm your ready made red rice (see its base recipe) with a splash of water in a covered pan over a low heat until steaming hot all the way through. Keep covered.
5 min - 2
Pat the prawns dry. Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over a medium high heat. Cook the garlic for 30 seconds until just fragrant, before it colours.
- 3
Add the prawns and cook for 2 minutes, turning once, until they start to turn pink.
2 min - 4
Pour in your ready made salsa verde (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the prawns are pink and opaque all through and the sauce is bubbling.
4 min - 5
Stir in half the spring onion and coriander. Taste and add a squeeze of lime.
- 6
Serve the prawns and sauce over the warm red rice, topped with the remaining spring onion and coriander, with lime wedges.
Tips
- Add the prawns last and cook only until pink. Overcooked prawns turn tough and rubbery.
- Raw prawns give the best result. If using cooked ones, add them in the last 2 minutes just to heat through.
- Pat prawns dry before frying so they colour instead of steaming.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Chill leftovers within 1 hour and eat within 1 day. Reheat the rice only once and until steaming hot.
Questions
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Thaw them fully in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water, drain well, and pat dry. Frozen raw king prawns work just as well as fresh.
Is this very spicy?
That depends on your salsa verde. It is usually medium. Seed the chillies in the salsa for a milder dish, or serve with extra salsa for those who like heat.
More made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Tostadas de Pollo con Salsa Verde (Chicken Tostadas)
GFEFNFMolotes de Barbacoa y Papa (Oaxacan Fried Masa and Potato Turnovers)
GFEFNFQuesadillas de Pollo Asado con Salsa Verde (Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas)
GFEFNFTacos Dorados de Pollo Asado (Crispy Rolled Chicken Tacos)
GFEFNFSee every dish made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Double 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.