Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo) Recipe
Gambas al ajillo, or Spanish Garlic Shrimp, is a beloved tapas dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked quickly in garlic-infused olive oil with smoky paprika and a splash of dry sherry. This flavorful recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, delivering a warm, irresistible appetizer perfect for serving over toasted bread and sharing with friends and family.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound frozen large shrimp (21–25 count) – thawed, peeled, and deveined
- Kosher salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika (optional)
Garlic Oil Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and ensure the shrimp are fully thawed, peeled, and deveined. Season the shrimp in a large bowl with kosher salt and hot smoked paprika and mix well to coat evenly.
- Cook Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook until it turns golden and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and increase heat to high. Toss and turn the shrimp with tongs until they start to curl and are partially cooked, about 2 minutes.
- Add Sherry and Finish: Pour in the dry sherry and cook, stirring continuously, until the sauce comes to a boil and the shrimp are fully cooked through, about 1 additional minute.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot, ideally spooned over toasted crusty bread as an authentic tapas dish.
Notes
- To thaw frozen shrimp, place them in a bowl of cold water and let sit for 10 minutes, then drain and repeat once more for best results.
- If dry sherry is unavailable, substitute with white wine plus a small pinch of sugar to mimic the sweetness.
- For extra flavor, garnish with additional chopped parsley or sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Serve as part of a tapas spread accompanied by crusty bread to soak up the garlic-infused oil.
Keywords: Gambas al Ajillo, Spanish Garlic Shrimp, tapas, shrimp recipe, garlic shrimp, Spanish appetizer, paprika shrimp, quick shrimp recipe