Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

garlic shrimp

(4 ratings)
Recipe by
Vicki Butts (lazyme)
Grapeview, WA

Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo) are a classic Spanish tapas dish. Succulent shrimp in a spicy garlicky sauce that you will need to dip your bread into! Have all of your ingredients ready to go. Shrimp cook very quickly This one comes together in just a few minutes. The lemon here is optional. Some people are adamant that it is included......while others are adamant that it not be included. You decide. Traditionally this is served sizzling hot in shallow earthenware casseroles called cazuelas but you can serve them on a platter or in a bowl, piping hot and ready to enjoy.

(4 ratings)
yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For garlic shrimp

  • 3/4 lb
    small shrimp, in their shells
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 Tbsp
    extra virgin olive oil
  • 4
    garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 sm
    dried red chili pepper, seeds removed and halved (or 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper)
  • 1 Tbsp
    fresh lemon juice, optional
  • 1 Tbsp
    dry white wine
  • 2 Tbsp
    parsley, minced

How To Make garlic shrimp

  • 1
    Shell the shrimp. The original recipe states that it is not necessary to devein them - but I do - otherwise it grosses me out. lol.
  • 2
    Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • 3
    Heat the oil, garlic, and chili pepper in a shallow flameproof casserole over medium-high heat. When the garlic is just beginning to brown, add the shrimp and cook, stirring, about 1 minute, or until just done and firm to the touch. Don't overcook because they will continue to cook a little bit while resting in the hot oil.
  • 4
    Stir in the lemon juice (if using), wine, and parsley.
  • 5
    Serve immediately, preferably in the casserole with slices of toasted bread that you absolutely must use to mop up every last drop of that garlicky, rich sauce.
  • 6
    Buenísimo.
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