Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) Recipe
Gambas al Ajillo is a classic Spanish tapas dish featuring succulent large shrimp sautéed in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes and smoky paprika. Enhanced with dry sherry, fresh lemon juice, and parsley, this quick and flavorful recipe offers a perfect combination of savory, spicy, and bright notes. Best served warm with crusty bread for dipping into the aromatic sauce, it’s an easy yet impressive appetizer or light meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Kosher salt, to taste
Cooking Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 10 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry or dry white wine
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then evenly season them with kosher salt. Set aside while preparing the pan.
- Heat the Olive Oil and Garlic: Warm the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until it shimmers but does not smoke. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking carefully for up to 60 seconds until the garlic becomes lightly golden—be vigilant not to let it burn as it can turn bitter.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp along with the paprika to the skillet. Toss frequently to coat in the oil and spices, cooking until the shrimp turn opaque with a pearly pink hue, about 3 minutes depending on their size. Once done, remove the pan from heat to avoid overcooking.
- Finish the Sauce and Serve: Stir in the dry sherry (or dry white wine), freshly squeezed lemon juice, and chopped parsley into the shrimp and oil mixture. Transfer everything to a serving bowl immediately. Serve warm with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful garlic sauce.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Using dry sherry enhances the traditional flavor, but dry white wine is a suitable substitute.
- Serve immediately after cooking for the best texture and flavor.
- Patting shrimp dry is crucial to achieving a nice sear and preventing steaming.
- Pair with crusty bread or warm baguette slices for dipping.
Keywords: Gambas al Ajillo, Spanish garlic shrimp, tapas recipe, garlic shrimp, easy shrimp appetizer, Spanish cuisine, sautéed shrimp
