Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoky Paprika
Succulent shrimp sautéed with garlic and smoky paprika, finished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a classic Spanish tapas dish. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 13 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and opaque with a slight caramelization.
- Step 3: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to brighten the flavors.
- Step 4: Serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful oil or over steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoky Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoky Paprika?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoky Paprika?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoky Paprika for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoky Paprika?
Spanish seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
