The Ultimate Prawn Flavor Bomb: Sambal Prawns
Juicy prawns tossed in a rich, spicy sambal sauce. A simple Southeast Asian-inspired dish made easy with Kreung Hloung Chili Sambal Sauce.
Big Flavor Without Making Sambal From Scratch
Sambal is known throughout Southeast Asia for its bold chili flavor and fragrant aromatics. For this recipe, we're keeping things simple by using Kreung Hloung Chili Sambal Sauce as the flavor base.
Add prawns, a few fresh aromatics, and a handful of everyday seasonings, and you have a spicy, savory dish that's ready for rice.
See How We Make It
What You'll Need
You can adjust the chili and seasoning to your taste. Want it spicier? Add more fresh chili.
How to Make Sambal Prawns
Step 1: Prepare the Prawns & Aromatics
Clean and devein the prawns, then pat them dry. Leave the tails on for presentation or remove them for easier eating.
Chop the garlic and spring onion, then slice the onion and chili. Have everything ready before cooking because the dish comes together quickly.
Step 2: Fry the Garlic & Build the Sambal Sauce
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until lightly golden and fragrant.
Add ½ packet of Kreung Hloung Chili Sambal Sauce, followed by the sugar, chicken seasoning powder, and oyster sauce. Add 2–3 tablespoons of water and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Add the Prawns & Finish
Add the prawns and toss well so they are coated in the sambal sauce. Cook until the prawns are cooked through and opaque.
Add the sliced onion and stir-fry briefly. Turn off the heat, then sprinkle with spring onion and sliced chili.
Serve It With Rice
The sambal sauce gives the prawns plenty of flavor, so all you really need is hot steamed rice and you're ready to eat. Adjust the spice level to your liking and make it your own.
Kreung Hloung Chili Sambal Sauce
This is more than just a sauce for prawns. Keep a packet in the pantry and use it whenever you want to add a spicy, savory flavor to a dish.
- Stir-fry with meat, seafood, or vegetables
- Use as a marinade for chicken, pork, beef, or seafood
- Mix into fried rice or fried noodles
- Cook into a sauce for grilled or fried meat
- Add to other dishes when you want extra chili flavor
