A prawn sandwich with a vodka-enhanced bloody Mary inspired tomato sauce that gets a little spice from Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces.
This is a sub-15-minute recipe that is gloriously easy to make which makes it an ideal snack for lunch.
Jumbo Shrimp Sandwich with a Bloody Mary Sauce
I adore cooking with and eating prawns, or shrimp for my US-based readers.
They are the perfect "quick to cook" ingredient, they will sit in the freezer for months, and they always feel like a special treat.
I've got everything from Chinese-influenced kung po prawns to an Indian-influenced King prawn bhuna and a very European squid ink pasta recipe with prawns and a Japanese-influenced prawn katsu.
My latest shrimpy offering is a prawn sandwich, but there's none of those cocktail shrimp in a Marie Rose sauce here.
My prawn sarnie comes with a bold bloody Mary sauce, complete with a splash of vodka, a bit of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce.
I serve them on a brioche bun with crispy iceberg lettuce, celery and a generous amount of celery salt throughout the dish.
As sandwiches go, this is properly majestic, a bit tongue-in-cheek and naughty all at the same time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What size prawns do you use?
I go as big as I can with this sandwich, which usually means size 8-12.
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes, they are superb, and rarely use fresh prawns. They are far too difficult to source for most people.
Do I have to add the vodka?
If you want a Bloody Mary sauce, yes. But you can turn it into a virgin Mary sauce and omit the vodka, and it will still be tasty.
The vodka does not add any flavour to the dish! It acts as a solvent, and that highlights some of the flavour compounds in tomatoes that are not extracted by fat or water alone.
So whilst it may sound odd, it is definitely worth trying!
Do I have to add the Tabasco sauce?
Some form of hot sauce is very traditional in a Bloody Mary, but if you are opposed to chilli spice, feel free to omit it.
What is celery salt?
Celery salt is a mix of regular old salt and celery seeds, and it is delicious!
Do I have to use a brioche bun?
No, and usually I am very much "anti" brioche buns, particularly with burgers. Here, however, the sweetness is perfect with the prawns and particularly that Bloody Mary sauce.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve my prawn sandwich with some form of chips or fries.
In these pictures, they are presented with air fryer cooked French fries seasoned with some celery salt and sprinkled with any leftover celery.
You could just as easily make air fryer potato wedges or air fryer chips, or just throw some frozen chips or fries in the oven.
If you are fond of sweet potatoes, these sweet potato fries also make a nice change.
Equipment Used
I only name-check brands of equipment if I think they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.
- Hob/Stovetop.
- 25cm or 10" frying pan.
- 30cm or 12" frying pan.
- 15cm or 6" saucepan.
- Stirring spoons.
- Chopping board.
- Kitchen knife.
- A combination of weighing scales, measuring cups and spoons.
Prawn Sandwich Recipe with Bloody Mary Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 Large King Prawns 250g
- 2 Brioche Buns
- 1 Small Stick of Celery
- 1 Handful Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- 75 g Tomato Passata ⅓ Cup
- 3 tablespoon Vodka
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Celery Salt
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
Instructions
- If your prawns are frozen, begin by defrosting them by running cold water over them for 3-5 minutes. Then dry them thoroughly.
- Slice the brioche buns.
- Dice the celery as finely as you can.
- Heat a small 15cm (6") saucepan over a high heat, and when it is hot, add the vodka and reduce by half.
- Pour in the tomato passata and add the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and Tabasco sauce, reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to bubble gently.
- Heat two frying pans (25cm or 10" and 30cm or 12") over a high heat. When they are hot, add the oil to the smaller of the two pans and add the prawns, season with the celery salt and saute for 2 minutes.
- One minute after the prawns hit the pan, toast the cut side of the brioche buns until golden, then remove.
- After the prawns have had 2 minutes, add the bloody mary sauce and saute for a final minute.
- Build your sarnie, I start with a layer of shredded lettuce and a sprinkling of celery, then arrange the prawns spooning over a little of the sauce, then a final sprinkle of celery and celery salt.