Prawn pickle is a fiery, flavorful delicacy that brings together the richness of seafood with the bold punch of Indian spices. It’s especially popular in coastal regions like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Goa, where seafood is a staple and pickling is an art form.

At its heart, prawn pickle features small, cleaned prawns that are marinated with turmeric and salt, then shallow-fried until golden. The magic happens when these prawns are simmered in a masala made from ginger, garlic, red chili powder, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and vinegar or lemon juice. The oil used—often gingelly (sesame) oil—adds depth and helps preserve the pickle.