Whether enjoyed during a relaxed afternoon or as a prelude to a night out Spain has mastered the art of tapas and none are more beloved than gambas al ajillo. Tender shrimp served in a garlicky olive oil sauce and best served with some crusty bread to soak it all up it’s no surprise this dish is served in nearly every restaurant in Spain. This recipe for Spanish Garlic Shrimp is easy to make and comes together in minutes.
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Tapas are small plates of appetizers or snacks served alongside wine, beer or sangria that are popular throughout Spain. Gambas al ajillo, or shrimp cooked in olive oil with plenty of garlic, are one of the most famous tapas and can be found in tapas bars throughout the country. I love to make these shrimp along with chicken and chorizo paella, cucumber avocado gazpacho and rebujito cocktails for an authentic Spanish feast.
Ingredients for Spanish Garlic Shrimp
- shrimp, peeled and deveined
- kosher salt
- olive oil
- garlic
- red pepper flakes
- smoked paprika
- lemon juice
- white wine or sherry
How to Make Spanish Garlic Shrimp
These shrimp are easy to make and take just minutes to prepare.Pat the shrimp dry and sprikle with salt. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until the oil shimmering. Add the garlic, red pepper and smoked paprika and cook for 1 minute, or until the garlic is golden brown. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are no longer translucent.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in lemon juice and wine. Transfer to a serving dish ( I love these mini cast iron skillets or you could get a traditional cazuela dish) and serve as desired.
If you like this Spanish Garlic Shrimp be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
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Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
Equipment
- 1 medium skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 10 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white wine or sherry
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry and sprikle with salt.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until the oil shimmering. Add the garlic, red pepper and smoked paprika and cook for 1 minute, or until the garlic is golden brown.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are no longer translucent.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in lemon juice and wine. Transfer to a serving dish and serve as desired.
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Ann says
This shrimp was super tasty! This will definitely be a shrimp recipe I make again! Thanks for the recipe share!
Jamie says
Awesome! Another seafood recipe that everyone will love! This looks incredibly delicious and very yummy! I love the overload of garlic this dish has! As my saying goes “Every time I SEAFood it makes me hungry!
Amy Liu Dong says
Garlic shrimp! I swear this is the best dish to do in a shrimp! It’s so tasty and sweet! I love it