Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe (Gambas al Ajillo)

Name: Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 7 garlic cloves, divided; 1 1/4 pound large peeled and deveined raw shrimp, tail-on; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Spanish, divided; 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (optional); 1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar; Crusty bread, for serving

If you’ve visited Spain or just a local Spanish restaurant, chances are you’ve seen gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) on the menu. Originating in central and southern Spain, it’s served in Madrid and throughout the region, and is a must at Spanish-leaning restaurants.

In college, I frequented a Spanish tapas restaurant down the street because I could afford to order a couple of small dishes and a glass of wine during their generous happy hour. I’d always, always order the garlic shrimp, which came in a little sizzling pan with crusty bread. It was my happy place.

Now I make the dish at home using this incredibly easy recipe. Similar to shrimp scampi, this dish utilizes fruity olive oil instead of butter and lots and lots of garlic. A little sherry vinegar at the end amps up the flavors and creates a pan sauce.

Whether you’re using fresh shrimp or frozen, it’ll turn out delicious every time. Serve it as a main dish with a green salad or some easy side dishes, or set it out at a party as a flavorful appetizer.

bowl of spanish garlic shrimp with baguette slices at a table setting with forks on a table napkin, glasses of beer, and more shimp in the dutch oven — Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser

What Kind of Shrimp to Use for Gambas al Ajillo

I’d suggest using peeled and deveined 26/30 or 21/25-sized shrimp for this recipe since they’re perfectly bite-sized and ready to cook. If using frozen shrimp, let defrost in the fridge overnight. Be sure to pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess water before using.

Easy Variations for Spanish Garlic Shrimp

Add a grating of lemon zest at the end for a bit of brightness.
Use smoked paprika for a bit of, well, smokiness.
If serving as a main dish, you can swap the crusty bread for rice or pasta.

Quick Shrimp Recipes

Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 8 mins

Total Time 18 mins

Servings 4 servings

If using frozen shrimp, defrost completely in the fridge before using. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.

This recipe was developed by Julia Levy

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

7 garlic cloves, divided
1 1/4 pounds large raw shrimp peeled and deveined, tail-on
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, preferably Spanish, divided
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional
1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
Crusty bread, for serving

Marinate the shrimp:

Finely chop 3 of the garlic cloves and place in a medium bowl with the shrimp, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and the salt; toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the dish.
Cook the garlic:

While the shrimp sit, thinly slice the remaining 4 garlic cloves.

Heat the remaining 6 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and paprika and cook, stirring occasionally, until sizzling and the garlic starts to turn lightly golden, 4 to 5 minutes. If the garlic is cooking too fast, decrease the heat to medium-low. You don’t want it to burn.
Cook the shrimp:

Add the marinated shrimp to the skillet along with any liquid and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, tossing and stirring constantly, just until the shrimp are opaque, about 3 minutes.

Add the parsley, if using, and sherry vinegar and toss to combine. Serve immediately with crusty bread to sop up the “sauce.”

This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Reheat gently so the shrimp doesn’t end up overcooked.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
368	Calories
29g	Fat
7g	Carbs
20g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	368
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g	37%
Saturated Fat 4g	21%
Cholesterol 179mg	60%
Sodium 1234mg	54%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	3%
Dietary Fiber 0g	2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 4mg	21%
Calcium 100mg	8%
Iron 1mg	5%
Potassium 208mg	4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.