Prawns with Black Bean Sauce and Peppers
Juicy king prawns and sweet peppers coated in a glossy, garlicky black bean sauce, ready in 15 minutes.
Made with Black bean sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.36 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
Cook the rice following the packet instructions. Cover and keep warm.
- 2
Pat the prawns very dry with kitchen paper so they fry rather than steam.
- 3
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok over a high heat until just smoking. Add the prawns and stir fry for 2 minutes until pink on the outside. Tip them onto a plate.
2 min - 4
Add the remaining oil, then the onion and peppers. Stir fry for 3 minutes until just softening but still crisp.
3 min - 5
Return the prawns and add the chilli. Pour in your ready made black bean sauce (see the base recipe) and bubble for 2 minutes until the prawns are opaque all the way through and the sauce coats everything.
2 min - 6
Stir in the spring onions and serve straight away with the rice.
Tips
- Prawns overcook fast. Take them out after the first sear and finish them in the sauce at the end.
- Keep the wok very hot and cook in one go. Do not crowd it, or the vegetables will stew instead of sear.
- If the sauce is too salty for you, loosen it with a splash of water rather than adding more of anything.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keeps 1 day in the fridge if chilled within 1 hour, and should be reheated once until steaming hot. Do not freeze cooked prawns that were previously frozen raw.
Questions
Can I use cooked prawns?
Yes, but add them in the last minute just to heat through. They are already cooked, so longer cooking makes them rubbery.
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Defrost them fully in the fridge overnight, drain well and pat dry before cooking.
What can I serve with it?
Steamed jasmine rice is classic. Steamed pak choi or green beans also go well.
More made with black bean sauce
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.