Prawns are often the centrepiece of many Australian feasts.

Whether you're planning a gathering or simply love indulging in these succulent crustaceans, prawns, while delicious, can be tricky to prepare.

The deveining process can be messy and time-consuming. No worries though, as culinary wizard Chef Nancy uncovered a nifty trick that will have you deveining prawns in mere seconds!


Chef Nancy demonstrated on a video a surprisingly simple method of deveining using an everyday kitchen utensil—a fork.

This quick trick also minimises the mess, making it a game-changer for prawn enthusiasts.


Here's how you can master the art of prawn preparation with ease:

1. Grab a standard dining fork and locate the vein on the prawn's back.
2. Insert the outer prong of the fork into the prawn at the point where the vein begins.
3. Gently slide the fork underneath the vein, following the line up the body.
4. As you push the fork prong along, it will naturally split the prawn's back and lift out the vein in one smooth motion.

Voilà! You've now deveined a prawn in a fraction of the time it would normally take, and you're ready to move on to the next one.


Before you rush off to the seafood market, Mandy Hunt, a Seafood Educator from the Sydney Fish Market, has some advice for those who want to include prawns in their menus.

With king prawns often fetching around $50 per kilo, consumers can also consider budget-friendly options such as banana, endeavour, or school prawns.

If your heart is set on the classic king prawn, Hunt suggests opting for smaller or medium-sized ones.

Not only are they more affordable—around $30-$35 per kilo—they are also a bit sweeter compared to their larger counterparts.


If you’re looking to feature prawns for a special feast, say, during holidays, you might want to consider some adjustments.

Hunt recommends visiting the market on Thursdays to dodge the crowds and traffic jams, ensuring a more relaxed shopping experience.

With this lightning-fast deveining trick and some insider shopping tips, it’s time to impress your guests with perfectly prepared prawns.


Whether you're serving them fresh on ice or sizzling on the barbie, your prawns will be the talk of the table.

While prawns are a staple for holiday feasts, they're also a fantastic option for any occasion. So, keep this handy trick up your sleeve for your next seafood soirée.
Have you tried this fork method for deveining prawns? Do you have any other seafood preparation tips to share? Share them with us in the comments below!