If you are looking for a recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to make, then these Spanish Garlic Shrimp are the ticket. Add a cast iron skillet over the flames with olive oil, garlic, and red chili flakes to brown. Then the shrimp and season it with salt, pepper, and paprika. Finish with sherry wine and a squeeze of lemon juice to deglaze, and you’ve got a meal that’s so freakin’ delicious!
Why You’ll Love Spanish Garlic Shrimp
Spanish Garlic Shrimp, also known as “gambas al ajillo,” is a delicious and popular Spanish tapa that will satisfy your seafood cravings. The dish is made with fresh shrimp sautéed in garlic-infused olive oil, which gives it a rich and savory flavor that’s both bold and delicate at the same time.
The white wine and chili peppers add a subtle acidity and heat that balances out the flavors and makes the dish even more enjoyable. Whether you’re a fan of seafood or love the taste of garlic, you’ll love the taste of Spanish Garlic Shrimp. It’s the perfect dish to enjoy as a tapa, a small appetizer with friends and family, or a main course with a simple side salad. The best part is that this recipe only takes 30 minutes to make!
How to Make this Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Spanish Garlic Shrimp Ingredients
- Whole Shrimp
- Minced Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Sherry Cooking Wine
- Sweet Paprika
- Red Chili Flakes
- Lemon
- Kosher Salt
- Parsley
- Bread
Let’s Get Cooking
Note: You can cook the shrimp with the shell on or off. Cooking with the shell makes the shrimp juicier and more seafood-forward, but it loses the seasoning. Alternatively, the shrimp peeled will be more seasoning forward.
Prep the Fire
- Preheat a medium-high heat fire (around 350F) for direct cooking. Add a cast iron skillet to the fire about 1 minute before cooking.
- First, add your olive oil to warm in the skillet. Next, add the minced garlic and red chili flakes and let it brown for 90 seconds.
Cook the Shrimp
- Once browned, add all of your raw shrimp to the skillet (make sure not to overcrowd the pan), season with smoky paprika, salt & pepper, then cook for about 90 seconds on the first side. Flip the shrimp over and then deglaze the skillet with the sherry wine and the lemon juice.
- Stir a little and cook the Spanish Garlic Shrimp for another 1-2 minutes until fully done. When the shrimp are done, pull the whole skillet off the fire to cool.
Serve
- No need to dirty a serving dish. Just garnish the skillet with chopped fresh parsley and crusted bread. Serve and enjoy!
For more with shrimp, check out my Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon with Garlic Shrimp, Creamy Cajun Shrimp Alfredo, and Garlic Shrimp Scampi!
What to Serve With
To make the most of this dish, it’s important to choose the right sides to complement the rich, savory flavors of the succulent shrimp and the garlic-infused sauce.
A simple side salad is a popular option to serve with Spanish garlic shrimp. A fresh, crisp salad with a light vinaigrette dressing can help balance out the shrimp’s rich flavors and add a touch of freshness to the meal. To add even more flavor and texture, you can also add other ingredients to the salad, such as sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, or crumbled feta cheese.
Another option to serve with Spanish Garlic Shrimp is a bowl of rice. This can help to absorb the delicious sauce and make the dish more filling and satisfying. You can use any rice, such as white rice, brown rice, or even a wild rice blend. You can also add other ingredients to the rice, such as chopped vegetables or herbs, to add even more flavor and nutrition. If you’re serving it as a tapa, try pairing it with some nice crusty bread!
No matter what you choose to serve with Spanish Garlic Shrimp, it’s sure to be a delicious and satisfying meal. The rich, savory flavors of the shrimp and the garlic-infused sauce are sure to impress any seafood lover.
Storage
If you wind up with some leftovers, let the shrimp cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to include any leftover sauce or juices, as this help to keep the shrimp moist and flavorful.
Once the shrimp are correctly stored, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you want to keep the shrimp longer than three days, you can freeze them. To do this, transfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe container or bag, and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating/leftovers
To reheat the shrimp, place them in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat, and cook for a few minutes until they’re heated. You can also add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the skillet to help keep the shrimp moist and flavorful.
If you’re a fan of garlic and seafood, then Spanish Garlic Shrimp is a must-try dish. This is by far one of the best shrimp recipes I’ve tried! It’s packed with flavor and is incredibly easy to make at home. If you serve it at a dinner party, don’t be surprised if everyone requests your famous Spanish garlic shrimp next time you’re getting together! If you try this recipe, let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment!
For more delicious recipes, check out my second cookbook Flavor X Fire or my first cookbook Food X Fire!
Needing more spice in your life? My spice line can help with that. Check them out here.
More Delicious shrimp recipes
Spanish Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Whole Shrimp peeled & de-veined
- 3 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Sherry Cooking Wine
- 1.5 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1.5 tsp Red Chili Flakes
- 1 medium Lemon juiced
- Kosher Salt to taste
- Chopped Parsley for garnish
- Toasted Bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a medium high heat fire (around 350F) for direct cooking. Add a cast iron skillet to the fire about 1 minute before cooking.
- First, add your olive oil to melt in the skillet.
- Next, add the minced garlic and red chili flakes and let it brown for 90 seconds.
- Once browned, add all of your shrimp to the skillet (make sure to not overcrowd the pan), season with paprika, salt & pepper then cook for about 90 seconds on the first side.
- Flip the shrimp over and then deglaze the skillet with the sherry wine and the lemon juice.
- Stir and little and continue to cook the shrimp for another 1-2 minutes until fully done.
- When the shrimp are done, pull the whole skillet off the fire to cool.
- Garnish the skillet with chopped parsley and crusted bread. Serve and enjoy!
I’m a lit confused about the paprika, the recipe calls for SWEET but in the cooking instructions it says SMOKY ????? which one ? maybe it doesn’t matter ?
Sorry, that was a mistake. Its been fixed!