Jamie Oliver Prawn Soup Recipe

Jamie Oliver prawn soup is light in texture but rich in flavour, built around the natural sweetness of prawns and a gently seasoned broth. It’s the kind of soup that feels comforting without being heavy, making it suitable as a starter or a simple main when paired with bread or rice. The focus is on clean flavours, careful timing, and letting the prawns remain tender and juicy.

This soup is ideal when you want something warming yet fresh. With the right balance of aromatics and gentle heat, it delivers depth without overpowering the seafood.

Why This Prawn Soup Works So Well

What makes this soup successful is restraint. Prawns cook very quickly, so they are added at the end to preserve their delicate texture. The vegetables and stock form a subtle base that supports the prawns rather than competing with them. Finishing with lemon and herbs adds brightness and keeps the soup from tasting flat.

This simple, flavour-first approach reflects the everyday cooking style often associated with Jamie Oliver, where good ingredients and correct timing matter more than complexity.

What Is Jamie Oliver’s Prawn Soup?

Jamie Oliver’s prawn soup is a light, broth-based soup made using prawns, vegetables, stock, and fresh aromatics. It focuses on clarity and balance, delivering a clean seafood flavour with just enough richness to feel satisfying.

Jamie Oliver Prawn Soup Ingredients List

• Raw prawns, peeled and deveined
• Olive oil or butter
• Onion or shallot, finely chopped
• Garlic cloves, lightly crushed
• Carrot, finely diced
• Celery, finely diced
• Fish stock or light vegetable stock
• Lemon zest and juice
• Fresh parsley or coriander
• Salt and black pepper

How to Prepare Jamie Oliver’s Prawn Soup – Simple Steps

Step 1: Build the Vegetable Base

Heat olive oil or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, then cook gently for several minutes until soft and translucent. This slow cooking releases natural sweetness and creates a rounded base for the soup.

Step 2: Add Garlic Carefully

Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Keep the heat moderate so the garlic softens without browning, as burnt garlic can overpower the delicate prawn flavour.

Step 3: Add the Stock

Pour in the stock and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 10–15 minutes so the vegetables infuse the broth fully, creating depth without heaviness.

Step 4: Cook the Prawns Gently

Add the prawns to the simmering soup. Cook for 2–3 minutes, just until they turn pink and opaque. This short cooking time keeps them tender and prevents a rubbery texture.

Step 5: Finish with Lemon and Herbs

Remove the pan from the heat. Add lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Stir gently and taste, adjusting seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.

Step 6: Rest Briefly Before Serving

Let the soup sit for a minute off the heat. This short rest allows the flavours to settle and balance before serving.

More recipes to add to your list

• Jamie Oliver Smoked Salmon Pâté
• Jamie Oliver Chicken Korma
• Jamie Oliver Prawn Linguine 15 Minute Meals

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Jamie Oliver’s Prawn Soup

• Overcooking the prawns, which makes them tough
• Boiling the soup aggressively instead of simmering
• Using a very strong stock that masks the seafood
• Adding lemon too early dulls its freshness

Delicious Ways to Serve Jamie Oliver’s Prawn Soup

• With crusty bread – Ideal for soaking up the broth
• With rice or noodles – Makes the soup more filling
• With a drizzle of chilli oil – Adds gentle warmth
• With extra fresh herbs – Lifts the overall flavour

Expert Tips to Get This Jamie Oliver Prawn Soup Just Right

• Use raw prawns rather than pre-cooked ones
• Keep the heat gentle throughout
• Season lightly at first, adjust at the end
• Add citrus only after removing from the heat

How to Add More Flavour to Prawn Soup

• Use prawn shells to enrich homemade stock
• Add ginger for subtle warmth
• Finish with a small drizzle of olive oil

Best Way to Store Prawn Soup Leftovers

Seafood soup is best enjoyed fresh. If needed, allow it to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day. The flavour remains good, but the prawns may soften slightly.

Best Ways to Reheat Prawn Soup

Reheat gently on low heat until just warmed through. Avoid boiling, as this will overcook the prawns and affect the texture.

Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

Calories: ~260 kcal
Carbohydrates: ~10 g
Protein: ~28 g
Fat: ~12 g

FAQs

Can I use frozen prawns for prawn soup?

Yes, frozen prawns can be used if they are fully thawed and patted dry first. This helps maintain good texture and prevents excess water from diluting the soup.

Why did my prawns turn rubbery in the soup?

Prawns become rubbery when overcooked. They only need a few minutes in hot broth, so add them at the end and remove the soup from the heat as soon as they turn pink.

Can I make prawn soup ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare the broth in advance and add the prawns just before serving. This keeps the prawns tender and prevents them from becoming tough.

Can I freeze Jamie Oliver’s prawn soup?

Freezing is not recommended once prawns are added, as their texture can suffer. If freezing is needed, freeze the broth separately and add fresh prawns when reheating.

Final Words

Jamie Oliver’s prawn soup is a calm, balanced dish that highlights seafood at its best. Light, fragrant, and warming, it’s a reliable recipe when you want something simple, nourishing, and full of natural flavour without unnecessary heaviness.

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