4.9 from 144 votes
Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
Spanish Garlic Shrimp, or Gambas al Ajillo, features large shrimp quickly sautéed in olive oil infused with finely chopped garlic and chili flakes. The shrimp are lightly seasoned with paprika, salt, and pepper, then simmered briefly with dry sherry and fresh lemon juice to create a fragrant, tangy sauce. Finished with parsley and served alongside crusty bread or Pan con Tomate, this recipe is ideal for soaking up the flavorful oil and enjoying as a savory appetizer or light meal.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
270 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Appetizer
Cuisine:
Spanish
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 pound Shrimp large, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika optional
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- Pan con Tomate (Spanish tomato bread) or crusty bread, for serving
Instructions
- 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).
- 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.
- 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. Serve with Pan con Tomate (tomato bread) or crusty bread for soaking up all of the delicious sauce.
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Notes
- Gather all ingredients before starting, as the recipe cooks quickly.
- Heat the olive oil slowly to infuse with garlic and chili flakes without browning the garlic.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp; they will finish cooking in the residual heat of the oil.
- Serve with Pan con Tomate or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0g
Calories
270kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
183mg
(61%)
Sodium
285mg
(12%)
Potassium
348mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
453IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
84mg
(8%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 270
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0g | |
| Calories | 270kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 183mg | 61% |
| Sodium | 285mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 348mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 453IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 84mg | 8% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.