Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
A ten-minute Spanish tapa of juicy shrimp swimming in sizzling garlic olive oil with sherry and lemon.
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6
Calories
250/serving
Difficulty
Easy
Nutrition Per Serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 10 clove garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp dry sherry
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 0.5 cup fresh parsley
- 1 loaf crusty bread
Season the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels and season with a generous pinch of kosher salt. Set aside while you prepare the garlic oil.
Infuse the Olive Oil
Pour the olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium until it begins to shimmer. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 60 seconds while stirring constantly until the garlic just starts to turn golden. Be careful not to let it burn.
Cook the Shrimp
Add the seasoned shrimp and paprika to the sizzling garlic oil. Toss everything together and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until the shrimp turn opaque and pearly pink throughout.
Finish with Sherry and Lemon
Remove the skillet from the heat immediately. Stir in the dry sherry, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Transfer to a warm serving bowl and serve right away with plenty of crusty bread for soaking up the garlic-infused oil.
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Open in AppTips & Variations
- Use a generous amount of olive oil; the leftover garlic oil is meant for dipping bread.
- Do not overcook the garlic or it will taste bitter. Golden is perfect, brown is too far.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is gambas al ajillo?
- It translates to shrimp with garlic and is one of the most popular tapas dishes in Spain, especially in Madrid.
- Can I use frozen shrimp?
- Yes, but thaw and pat them very dry first. Excess moisture will cause the oil to spatter and prevent proper searing.
Recipe inspired by the original at themediterraneandish.com. Ingredients and factual cooking data extracted; instructions independently written.
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