Prawn Cocktail Sandwiches

If you love a prawn cocktail then these sandwiches are going to be right up your street. Plus, they’re SO easy to make!

It’s not often I call a sandwich cute, but c’mon, how adorable are these prawn cocktail sandwiches?! And they’re not just a pretty face either, they’re beyond delicious. Follow me…

Marie Rose Sauce

Marie Rose sauce (aka cocktail sauce) is arguably the most iconic aspect of a prawn cocktail. At its heart, it’s purely mayonnaise mixed with ketchup. Some recipes add horseradish, others add tabasco, but my two favourite additions are Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice; both of which are fairly common in a Marie Rose sauce.

For this recipe I tend to make a little extra sauce; most of it is mixed with the prawns, but I also like to spread a little in the sandwich too.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yep! Just tightly store in the fridge until needed.

Process shots: gather ingredients (photo 1), add to small pot (photo 2), stir to combine (photo 3).

Prawn Cocktail

What kind of prawns to use?

I recommend using ready-to-eat Jumbo/Large King Prawns. These tend to be the juiciest with the most amount of flavour. You could use whole prawns, you’ll just need to remove the tail, head and vein. You could also use raw prawns, just cook as necessary and then allow to completely cool before mixing with the sauce.

Once your prawns are ready to go, I recommend patting them dry. This will remove excess moisture and help the sauce wrap around them a little easier.

Can I make this part ahead of time?

I actually don’t make the prawn cocktail ahead of time. I find the sauce goes watery and the prawns firm up a little, due to the acidity in the sauce.

Process shots: add prawns to chopping board (photo 1), pat dry (photo 2), add to mixing bowl (photo 3), mix in most of the sauce (photo 4).

Prawn Cocktail Sandwich

What kind of bread to use?

I love using mini baguettes/rolls (here I’ve used Petit Pains). That way they’re perfect for feeding a crowd. You could however grab a large baguette and slice it up.

Prawn Cocktail Additions

Alongside the prawns in Marie Rose sauce, here’s what else I add to the sandwiches:

• Lettuce – Little gem lettuce and iceberg lettuce are the two most classic options. Here I go with little gem lettuce, just because it helps contain the sandwich filling like a little cup.
• Avocado – Thinly sliced and seasoned with a pinch of salt.
• Cayenne Pepper – Dusted on top of the prawns for a kick of spice and pop of colour.

Can I make the sandwiches ahead of time?

Again, I tend not to. The longer these sandwiches sit the soggier the lettuce gets and the browner the avocado turns!

Process shots: halve bread (photo 1), spread a little sauce (photo 2), top with lettuce (photo 3), top with avocado (photo 4), top with prawns (photo 5), finish with cayenne (photo 6).

Serving Prawn Cocktail Sandwiches

As I mentioned, I usually whip these up if I’m feeding a crowd. No sides needed, they’re awesome by themselves!

After another prawn sandwich recipe? Check out my Classic Prawn Mayo Sandwich!

For more party sandwiches to feed a crowd check out my Bruschetta Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these prawn cocktail sandwiches shall we?!

How to make Prawn Cocktail Sandwiches (Full Recipe & Video)

Prawn Cocktail Sandwiches

If you love a prawn cocktail then these sandwiches are going to be right up your street. Plus, they're SO easy to make!

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Course: Game Day, Pot Luck

Cuisine: American, British

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 10 small sandwiches

Calories per serving: 275kcal

Author: Chris

Cost per serving: £1 / $1

Equipment

• Small Pot (for sauce)
• Paper Towels (for patting prawns)
• Small Mixing Bowl & Spatula (for combining sauce and prawns)
• Sharp Knife & Chopping Board (for avocado)
• Bread Knife (for rolls)

Ingredients

• 10 Small Rolls/Petit Pains (see notes)
• 10.5oz / 300g cooked/peeled Large King Prawns (see notes)
• 1/2 cup / 120g Mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Ketchup
• 1/2 tsp EACH: Worcestershire Sauce, Lemon Juice
• 1 medium Avocado, halved, pitted, peeled & thinly sliced
• 1 - 2 Baby/Little Gem Lettuce, pluck the leaves off and wash off dirt/slice stem if necessary
• Cayenne Pepper, to garnish
• Salt, as needed

Instructions

• In a small pot combine mayonnaise with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Place to one side.
• Pat the prawns dry with paper towels, then add to a small mixing bowl. Stir in around 2/3 of the sauce, or enough to comfortably coat the prawns.
• Slice rolls through the centre nearly all the way through. Spread a little leftover sauce on the bottom, then add a little gem lettuce leaf. Top with a few slices of avocado and a pinch of salt. Add 4 prawns on top, then finish with a pinch of cayenne (careful, this is spicy).
• Serve up and enjoy!

Quick Demo

Notes

a) Bread - I love serving these as mini sandwiches because they're perfect for feeding a crowd. As such, I usually buy some part-baked petit pains and bake until lightly crisp. You'll find them at most supermarkets (I know Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Morrisons do them). Failing that, just get any type of mini baguettes/rolls. Or, buy a large baguette and slice it up. For reference, the petit pains I use are 50g/1.8oz each, and since there's 10 that's 500g/1lb in total weight.

b) Prawns - I use jumbo/large prawns because they're nice and juicy. I also buy them ready to eat for the easiest prep. If you're using whole prawns just remove the tail, head and vein. If you're using raw prawns just cook as necessary and then allow to completely cool before mixing with the sauce.

c) Make Ahead - I usually make the sauce ahead of time and that's it. I find the longer the prawns sit in the sauce, the more watery it gets. Also, the prawns tend to shrink up a little, due to the acidity in the lemon juice. I also don't make the whole sandwich ahead of time because the lettuce goes soggy and the avocado browns!

d) Calories - Per sandwich (10 in total).

Your Private Notes:

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Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts

Prawn Cocktail Sandwiches

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275 Calories from Fat 123

% Daily Value*

Fat 13.72g21%

Saturated Fat 2.296g14%

Trans Fat 0.027g

Polyunsaturated Fat 5.814g

Monounsaturated Fat 4.873g

Cholesterol 53mg18%

Sodium 626mg27%

Potassium 198mg6%

Carbohydrates 27.48g9%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 0.8g1%

Protein 10.06g20%

Vitamin A 127IU3%

Vitamin C 2.3mg3%

Calcium 71mg7%

Iron 1.59mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.

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