Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
Local name: Gambas al ajillo
In short: Shrimp cooked in a sizzling pool of olive oil with sliced garlic and dried chili, finished with sherry and parsley and served with bread for dipping. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Gambas al ajillo arrive at the table spitting in a small clay dish, with plenty of garlic, a dried chili and good olive oil. The shrimp take only a few minutes, so everything else must be ready first. Bread is not a side here but a tool for mopping up the garlicky oil, which many people think is the best part of the dish. Use the best shrimp you can find.
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels and sprinkle them with the salt.
- Put the oil, garlic and chili in a small cazuela or skillet over medium-low heat. Warm gently for 3 to 4 minutes, until the garlic turns pale gold and smells sweet. Do not let it brown.
- Raise the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1 minute, turn them and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until pink and curled.
- Pour in the sherry and let it sizzle for 15 seconds. Scatter over the parsley and serve immediately, still bubbling, with bread for the oil.
Tips
- Frozen raw shrimp are fine. Thaw them in the fridge, drain well and dry thoroughly, or the oil will spatter and the shrimp will steam.
- Leave the shells on for deeper flavor, as many Spanish cooks do. Diners then peel at the table, which is messy but good fun.
Questions and answers
What is the best oil for gambas al ajillo?
Use a fruity extra virgin olive oil. The oil becomes the sauce, so its flavor matters. Keep the heat low while the garlic cooks, or it will scorch and turn bitter.
Can I make gambas al ajillo ahead?
Prepare the garlic oil ahead, but cook the shrimp at the last minute. Reheated shrimp turn rubbery within minutes.
What do you serve with garlic shrimp?
Crusty bread is essential. In Spain they appear with other tapas such as tortilla, croquetas and a glass of chilled dry sherry or white wine.
How long does it take to make Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)?
About 20 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
