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Roasted Prawns with Champagne-Shallot Sauce

This elegant roasted prawns with champagne-shallot sauce is a sophisticated choice for an evening dinner party or a celebratory weekend meal. The dish brings together succulent, oven-roasted prawns with a refined reduction of dry Champagne and aromatic shallots. The lemon zest and fresh thyme provide a bright, citrusy lift that perfectly balances the richness of the buttery sauce, creating a restaurant-quality finish that is surprisingly simple to achieve at home.

As a versatile seafood main, this recipe fits beautifully into a dairy-free lifestyle when served as described, offering a lighter alternative to heavier cream-based sauces. For a complete and balanced meal, serve the prawns over a bed of tender Green Lake beans or seasonal greens. This dish is best enjoyed immediately while the prawns are perfectly tender and the champagne sauce is silky and warm.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Roasted Prawns with Champagne-Shallot Sauce

  • 230g brut Champagne

  • 120ml minced shallots

  • 50ml olive oil plus additional for brushing

  • 1.2kg uncooked large prawns (13 to 15 per pound), peeled, deveined, tails left intact

  • 3 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel, divided

  • 110g (1 stick) butter, room temperature, diced

  • Blue Lake Green Beans with Lemon and Thymeepi:recipelink</epi:recipelink>

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

How to make Roasted Prawns with Champagne-Shallot Sauce

Simmer Champagne and shallots until reduced to 120ml , about 25 minutes. do ahead Sauce base can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill in pan.

Combine 3 1/2 tablespoons oil, prawns, 2 1/2 teaspoons thyme, and 1 3/4 teaspoons lemon peel in large bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead; cover and chill, tossing occasionally.

Position 1 rack in bottom third and 1 rack in top third of oven. Preheat to 232°C. Brush 2 heavy large rimmed baking sheets with oil. Arrange prawns on sheets. Roast until opaque, 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring sauce base to simmer; remove from heat. Whisk in butter in 4 additions. Whisk in remaining 1 teaspoon thyme and 1/2 teaspoons lemon peel. Season with salt.

Arrange green beans on large platter; top with prawns. Spoon some sauce over; sprinkle with parsley. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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