Print

Flavorful Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe Easy Gambas al Ajillo with Crusty Bread

Spanish Garlic Shrimp - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy Spanish garlic shrimp dish bursting with bold flavors, perfect for casual dinners or tapas nights. Served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlicky sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
  • ½ cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6–8 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Crusty bread (baguette or rustic loaf), sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly.
  3. Pour ½ cup (120ml) of extra-virgin olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Warm the oil gently until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Add the sliced garlic and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the warm oil. Stir frequently and cook until the garlic is golden and fragrant but not brown, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly curled, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and firm.
  6. Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Transfer the shrimp and garlic oil to a serving dish. Serve immediately with sliced crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Notes

Watch garlic closely to avoid burning; burnt garlic ruins the flavor. Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure shrimp sears properly. Optionally add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving for brightness. For gluten-free, serve without bread or with gluten-free bread. Leftovers keep up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently on stovetop.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spanish garlic shrimp, Gambas al Ajillo, garlic shrimp recipe, easy shrimp recipe, tapas, quick dinner, seafood

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/flavorful-spanish-garlic-shrimp-recipe-easy-gambas-al-ajillo-with-crusty-bread/