spanish garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo)

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Vicki Butts (lazyme)
Grapeview, WA

Gambas Al Ajillo, or Garlic Shrimp, is one of the most common tapas dishes in Spain. It's often served sizzling hot in cazuelas (glazed clay dishes) or small metal pans along with crusty bread or pan con tomate (tomato bread) to soak up all the delicious sauce.

(1 rating)
yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 5 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For spanish garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo)

  • 1/3 c
    extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 clove
    garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp
    chili flakes
  • 1 lb
    large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 tsp
    sweet spanish paprika, optional
  • 1/4 tsp
    kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp
    pepper
  • 2 Tbsp
    dry sherry
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp
    fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp
    fresh parsley, chopped

How To Make spanish garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo)

  • 1
    Make sure you have all of your ingredients gathered before you start cooking - this dish cooks in a matter of minutes.
  • 2
    Pour the oil into a large sauté pan (or cazuelas) and add the garlic and chili flakes. Turn the heat up to medium high. As the pan heats up, the oil will slowly get infused with the flavor of the garlic and chili (do not let the garlic brown).
  • 3
    Once the oil is hot and the garlic is fragrant, add the shrimp to the pan. Season them with the paprika, salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp about 2 minutes, until they just turn pink, stirring often.
  • 4
    Add the sherry and lemon juice and cook another 2-3 minutes until the liquid is reduced and shrimp are cooked. Sprinkle the parsley on top.
  • 5
    Serve with Pan con Tomate (tomato bread) or crusty bread for soaking up all of the delicious sauce.

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