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MediterraneansnackPescatarianGluten-freeDairy-freeNo added sugar

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) is a popular Spanish dish found principally in the south and center of Spain. The primary ingredients consist of shrimp, garlic and olive oil but there are many variations. It's often served in Spain's tapas bars as an appetizer. However, this dish is so popular that it's occasionally offered as an entrée.

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)
Photo: “Gambas al ajillo” by Javier Lastras from España/Spain, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

Makes
4
  • 1 pound shrimp
  • 4–6 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika
  • 2–3 oz dry sherry (you may substitute cognac instead)
  • ¼ cup virgin olive oil
  • 3 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice

Ingredients for 4 servings (625 g) · the original recipe

Method

  1. 1

    In a sauté pan or other heavy frying pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about one minute or until it begins to brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

    Stovetop
  2. 2

    Raise the heat to high and add the shrimp, lemon juice, sherry or cognac and paprika. Stir well, then sauté, stirring briskly until the shrimp turn pink and curl (about 3 minutes).

  3. 3

    Remove from heat and transfer shrimp with oil and sauce to a warm plate or serve right from the pan.

  4. 4

    Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.

Recipe from Wikibooks Cookbook, written by Wikibooks contributors. Used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence; the ingredient list and method on this page are taken from that page and edited (its notes, tips and variations are not reproduced), and are available under the same licence. The macros, equipment tags and scaling are Ma Kitchen’s own and are not the source’s figures. Ma Kitchen is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wikibooks Cookbook. Copied on 2026-11-12.

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