Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Epic Prawns & Beans

The name says it all—Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Epic Prawns & Beans really is epic. This dish is everything you want from a quick seafood meal: garlicky prawns, hearty beans, crispy sourdough, and just enough heat from harissa to make your taste buds dance. I threw this together on a busy weeknight and honestly, it felt like a treat. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

• 175g sourdough bread, cut into 2.5cm cubes
• 300g large raw king prawns, peeled and deveined
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced
• ½ a 700g jar or 1 x 400g tin cannellini beans, including juices
• 1 tablespoon harissa (or rose harissa for a floral kick)

How To Make Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Epic Prawns & Beans

1. Toast the Sourdough:
   Start by heating a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Toss in the bread cubes and toast them, turning regularly. You want them golden and crunchy on all sides—this gives the dish its texture and that satisfying crunch.
2. Season the Prawns:
   While the bread is crisping up, toss your prawns with a tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, black pepper, and those lovely slices of garlic. Let them sit for a minute or two and soak up the flavor.
3. Warm the Beans:
   Tip the cannellini beans (with their juices) into a small saucepan. Add the harissa and let it gently simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally—this helps the flavors meld and thickens the sauce slightly. It should be creamy and just a little spicy.
4. Cook the Prawns:
   Once your bread is golden and ready, add the prawns and garlic to the same pan. Add a quick splash of red wine vinegar—this cuts through the richness and lifts everything. Cook for about 2 minutes, tossing constantly, until the prawns turn pink and are just cooked through.
5. Assemble and Serve:
   Check the beans for seasoning and adjust if needed. Spoon them onto your plates, top with the juicy garlic prawns, and scatter the crunchy sourdough croutons on top. Serve immediately while everything is hot and perfect.

Why I Love This Recipe

I whipped this up on a weeknight when I didn’t want anything too fussy—and it blew me away. It’s fast, it’s filling, and it’s one of those dishes that looks really impressive on a plate. I love that the croutons add crunch, the harissa gives it heat, and the prawns soak up all the garlicky goodness. It’s now a regular in my dinner rotation.

Recipe Tips

• Cut the bread evenly to get perfectly toasted croutons—no burnt bits!
• Don’t walk away from the garlic. It burns fast, so keep your eye on it when the prawns hit the pan.
• Use good harissa. Rose harissa adds a lovely floral twist, but regular harissa works great too.
• Simmer the beans until thick. It helps coat everything beautifully and keeps the dish from feeling watery.
• Red wine vinegar is key. That little splash really balances the richness of the prawns and beans.

How To Store This Prawns & Beans?

• At Room Temperature: Eat it fresh! This dish is best enjoyed hot, right after cooking.
• In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The beans hold up well, but the prawns are better sooner rather than later.
• In the Freezer: Not ideal—prawns tend to get rubbery after freezing and reheating, and the croutons lose their crunch.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a frying pan over medium heat for about 3–4 minutes. Stir occasionally and try not to overheat the prawns or they’ll go tough.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Can I use cooked prawns instead?
  Sure, just add them at the end to warm through—you don’t want them to overcook.
• What if I don’t have harissa?
  No problem! You can use chili paste, smoked paprika, or even a touch of sriracha for heat.
• Can I use different beans?
  Totally. Butter beans or even chickpeas work well in place of cannellini beans.
• Is sourdough necessary?
  It’s got that lovely chew and tang, but any rustic bread will do the trick.
• Can I make it ahead?
  You can prep the beans and croutons ahead, but cook the prawns fresh to keep them juicy.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 431 kcal
• Fat: 10.5g
• Saturated Fat: 1.6g
• Protein: 40.5g
• Carbohydrates: 38.7g
• Sugars: 2.2g
• Salt: 1.8g
• Fibre: 8.4g

Try More Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Recipes:

• 5 Ingredients Black Squid
• 5 Ingredients Sticky Lemony Prawns
• 5 Ingredients Sizzling Squid
• 5 Ingredients Pancetta Prawn Skewers