What Main Course Goes With Prawn Cocktail Starter? 5 Best Meals!
Prawn cocktail is a much loved starter amongst food lovers, and though it first rose to prominence many decades ago, it’s still a great choice everywhere from trendy gastropubs, to traditional restaurants, to our own homes when we’re planning a three course meal.
But once you’ve decided that you’re going to feature the 80s classic on your menu, you might be left wondering what main course goes with prawn cocktail starter.
The best choices don’t stray too far from tradition, bring a touch of class to the dinner table, and are special enough to be served up at a celebration.
What main course goes with prawn cocktail starter?
Some of the best main courses to serve with a prawn cocktail starter are beef wellington, steak and chips, spicy salmon and new potato traybake, coq au vin, and toad in the hole with caramelised onion gravy.
I’m going to give you the lowdown on the very best recipes and techniques to try, complete with some savvy kitchen hacks to make your meal go as smoothly as possible…
1. Beef wellington
Beef wellington is a time-honoured English dish that’s definitely deserving of a spot in your culinary repertoire.
It involves taking a cut of the finest fillet of beef, coating in pate, and finally encasing in a beautifully light puff pastry.
It takes time and a certain level of skill to get it just right, but it’s well worth it. It’s a real show stopper, and it’ll certainly earn you the admiration of your dinner guests.
If you’re up for the challenge, check out Gordon Ramsey’s beef wellington recipe.
Because your prawn cocktail can be prepared in advance, you can afford to invest more time into this exquisite main course.
2. Steak and chips
Steak and chips has to be one of the most versatile main courses you’ll ever come across.
It can be a quick and filling fix after a long day at work when you just want something tasty on the table without any hassle, or it can be a sure fire winner that everyone will love at your next dinner party.
Fillet might be the most popular choice, but my personal go-to cut of steak is sirloin. It’s perfectly marbled so it never fails to deliver delightfully tender mouthfuls.
Keep things classic, and avoid any fussy side dishes or accompaniments that will have you spending too much time slaving over a hot stove. Instead, go for chunky chips, your favourite green vegetable, and peppercorn sauce.
3. Spicy salmon and new potato traybake
If you want to keep the seafood theme going through to your main course, a good choice would be spicy salmon and new potato traybake.
It’s a delectable medley of fresh salmon and tender new potatoes, baked in a spicy Korean chilli paste for a lovely kick of heat.
Pak choi or broccoli is added for a serving of nutritious green veggies, and this is an easy dish that roasts in the oven for around 30 minutes.
If you’re cooking for little ones or you simply don’t enjoy spicy food, you can substitute the chilli paste for miso paste, which will add a flavoursome savoury boost.
4. Coq au vin
Coq au vin is so deserving of a mention for what main course goes with prawn cocktail starter!
It’s a classical French dish that includes braised chicken with bacon lardons, wine, mushrooms, and onions.
The beauty of it is in its simplicity, and it’s a beautifully elegant main course to serve up for any occasion.
The sauce is deeply savoury and wonderfully more-ish, and it’s arguably the most luxurious chicken stew that you’ll ever make.
This recipe for coq au vin is my personal favourite, and it only requires 15 minutes of hands-on preparation time.
5. Toad in the hole with caramelised onion gravy
Delightfully British, toad in the hole is comfort food at its best.
It’s versatile enough to be a quick dinner that the kids will love, but add a few fancy twists and some careful presentation, and you have a gastro pub style dinner party main course.
It’s simple to make as well, and it doesn’t require any advanced skills in the kitchen.
This toad in the hole recipe incorporates the beautiful flavours of red wine, wholegrain mustard, streaky bacon, and woody herbs. It’s a sophisticated twist on the traditional dish, and if you carefully follow the instructions, you’ll avoid the dreaded soggy Yorkshire pudding!
The best main courses for a prawn cocktail starter
The best main meals for a prawn cocktail starter are traditional and classy. Choose from:
- Beef wellington
- Steak and chips
- Spicy salmon and new potato traybake
- Coq au vin
- Toad in the hole with caramelised onion gravy
Do you have any other mains that you enjoy after prawn cocktail? Leave a comment and share your ideas!
