Easy One-Pan Spanish Garlic Shrimp Gambas al Ajillo
A quick and flavorful one-pan Spanish garlic shrimp recipe perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, featuring tender shrimp cooked in garlic-infused olive oil with a hint of spice and fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
- 16–20 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6–8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Optional: splash of dry white wine
- Optional: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels (approx. 5 minutes).
- Peel and thinly slice 6-8 garlic cloves (approx. 3 minutes).
- Heat 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (approx. 2 minutes).
- Add sliced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; stir gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant, watching carefully to avoid burning (approx. 3 minutes).
- Add shrimp in a single layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until undersides turn pink and slightly golden (approx. 2 minutes).
- Flip shrimp using tongs and cook for another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are opaque, pink, and slightly firm but not rubbery (approx. 2 minutes).
- Remove pan from heat; stir in chopped parsley and squeeze fresh lemon juice over shrimp. Toss gently to coat (approx. 1 minute).
- Serve immediately, spooning shrimp and garlicky oil into a serving dish.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming shrimp; pat shrimp dry before cooking for a better sear. Cook garlic on medium-low heat and remove from heat as soon as it turns golden to prevent bitterness. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Optional additions include a splash of dry white wine or a pat of unsalted butter for richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 24
Keywords: Spanish garlic shrimp, gambas al ajillo, one-pan shrimp recipe, quick dinner, garlic shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, seafood