Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo
Sautéed shrimp in a fragrant garlic and chili-infused olive oil, served as a classic Spanish tapas dish. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 12 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced 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
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Flip shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 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 Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo?
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 Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo?
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 Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo 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 Traditional Spanish Tapas-Style Gambas al Ajillo?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
