Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

Sautéed shrimp in a fragrant garlic and chili-infused olive oil, served as a classic Spanish tapas dish. This Spanish-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs large shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
3. Step 3: Increase heat to medium-high and add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, spreading them evenly in the pan. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring until the edges turn pink and slightly crisp.
4. Step 4: Flip shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 3/4 tsp sea salt, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the shrimp. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.