How to clean prawns / How to devein prawn

Prawns are a tasty and quick-to-cook seafood. They have a mild sweet flavor and a tender texture that makes them great in many dishes. Cleaning and deveining prawns might seem like a bit of work, but it’s necessary to make sure that they’re safe to eat. By cleaning the prawns properly, you can have a cleaner and healthier meal. 

Deveining prawns is a simple process. With a few easy steps, you can clean them quickly. This will help you to know about how to clean prawns and remove the vein, making them perfect for any dish you want to prepare. Though this may take some time, it’s worth the effort for a delicious and safe seafood experience.

Jump to:

• About Cleaning and Deveining Prawns
• Clean and Devein Prawns Ingredients
• How to clean Prawns Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving and Storage
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Cleaning and Deveining Prawns

Cleaning prawns is important for both flavor and health. The black vein that runs along the back of prawns is their digestive tract and can contain waste. Removing it not only makes the prawns cleaner, but also improves their taste and makes them easier to digest.

You can buy prawns with or without the shells. If you buy prawns with shells, you’ll need to peel them first before cleaning. The color of the vein can vary, from black to gray or even white, but it should always be removed. Once cleaned, prawns can be used in many dishes, from curries to pasta, without worrying about impurities.

Cleaning prawns is a simple task. Once you know how to devein them, the process becomes quick and easy. You can easily clean the prawns and add them to your dishes.

I had been wanting to post this since long but me and nonveg dishes always don’t share a great bond as you all know and hence the delay. So when amma was cleaning I shot the pictures to post it here.

Clean and Devein Prawns Ingredients

• Prawns – Use Fresh prawns. If they have shells, peel them before cleaning.

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Why This Works

• The process is simple and beginner-friendly.
• It helps avoid digestive problems, making prawns healthier to eat.
• Removing the vein improves the taste and texture of the prawn.
• You don’t need special tools—just a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to remove the vein.
• It improves hygiene by removing harmful bacteria and toxins.
• Clean prawns look better, especially in dishes like salads and curries.
• Properly cleaned prawns last longer and stay fresher.
• Clean prawns absorb marinades and flavors better.

How to clean Prawns Step by Step

1.Take prawns in a bowl .I got it shell removed if you have shells then first take it out and then proceed. Take a prawn turn to the back side, you can see a vein black in color sometimes it looks grey or even greyish white.

2.Use a small sharp knife to make a slit along the middle of the back. Pull out the vein and discard it.

3.You can see all the veins here. Now the prawn is deveined and is ready. Rinse it with water 2-3 times.

4.Add little turmeric powder and wash it once. Now cleaned prawns is ready to cook.

Expert Tips

• Peel the Shells First – If the prawns have shells, start by peeling them off, starting from the head to the tail. Then proceed with the next.
• Use a Sharp Knife – A sharp knife or kitchen scissors will help you make a clean slit along the back of the prawn, allowing you to easily remove the vein without damaging the flesh of the prawn.
• Vein Color – The vein color may appear black, gray, or white, but it’s important to remove it no matter what color it is. This helps avoid digestive issues and improves the flavor of the prawn in the dish.
• Rinsing – After deveining, rinse the prawns with water a few times to remove any leftover dirt. This step ensures they are completely clean.
• Turmeric – Adding a pinch of turmeric while washing the prawns helps remove any lingering smells and gives them an extra layer of cleanliness.

Serving and Storage

Once cleaned and deveined, prawns can be used in any recipe you like. 

If you’re not using them immediately, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze them in a zip-lock bag. When freezing, make sure to remove any excess air from the bag to prevent freezer burn.

FAQS

1.Is it necessary to remove the vein from prawns?

Yes, the vein contains waste and can cause digestive issues if eaten. It’s best to remove it before cooking.

2.How can I confirm that I’ve removed the entire vein?

After making a slit along the back, gently pull out the vein. Ensure there are no black thread-like pieces left.

3.What if the vein is hard to remove?

If the vein is tough, you can use a toothpick or fork to gently loosen it before pulling it out.

4.Can I skip the turmeric while washing the prawns?

While optional, turmeric helps remove odor and adds an extra layer of cleanliness to the prawns.

5.How long can I store cleaned prawns?

Cleaned prawns can be stored in the fridge for up to two days or frozen for up to a month.

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