Sauteed Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe (Gambas al Ajillo) | Wicked Spatula (2024)

This EASY sauteed garlic shrimp recipe (gambas al ajillo) is a Spanish tapas classic. Learn how to cook sauteed garlic shrimp with just 5 ingredients!

by Maya Last Updated on January 14, 2021 10 Comments

This sauteed garlic shrimp recipe is PACKED with so much flavor! Spanish garlic shrimp, or gambas al ajillo, is a popular Spanish dish traditionally made of shrimp, garlic, and olive oil. I’ll walk you through how to cook garlic shrimp and I have a feeling you’ll want to make it ASAP. It makes a great appetizer, or you can serve it over some cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a main meal.

This garlic shrimp recipe comes fromthe cookbookPaleo Planet. I’ve loved Becky’s work for years, and this easy garlic shrimp is no exception.It seriously takes no time at all to throw together a batch, and it tastes like it was made in a restaurant. Healthy food that I can make fast and delicious? Count me in!

What Is Gambas al Ajillo?

Gambas al Ajillo is a well known dish in Spain. It’s essentially shrimp and garlic cooked with seasonings and spices.

Sometimes it goes by other names in the US, like Spanish garlic shrimp! No matter what you call it, this healthy shrimp recipe is delish.

How To Cook Garlic Shrimp

Thankfully, you don’t have to do a ton of planning ahead for this easy garlic shrimp recipe. Just throw ingredients in a skillet and saute.

Take a look at how easy this simple garlic shrimp really is:

• Saute garlic in a heavy skillet with a bit of oil.
• Cook shrimp. Place the shrimp, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne in the pan and cook for a couple of minutes, then flip. Once the shrimp turn pink and opaque, the best garlic shrimp recipe is done.

Don’t worry, I didn’t skip any directions – this simple shrimp recipe is truly that easy!

How Do you Know When Shrimp Is Done?

Spanish garlic shrimp is done when the shrimp is opaque, meaning you can no longer see through it. The sauteed garlic shrimp will also have a slight white color.

TIP: Don’t cook it so long that it turns bright white. By then, it will be tough and rubbery.

Is Garlic Shrimp Healthy?

Yes, this sauteed garlic shrimp is very healthy. There are lots of nutrient-rich vitamins and minerals in Spanish garlic shrimp such as zinc, iron, vitamin B12, protein, niacin, phosphorus, selenium, and more.

You’ll definitely feel good about feeding gambas al ajillo to your family. And, everyone else will be happy because it tastes so good. Win-win.

Is This Garlic Shrimp Recipe Spicy?

No, this gambas al ajillo isn’t really spicy. It gets a slight heat from the cayenne, but it’s not a lot.

If you want your sauteed garlic shrimp to be spicy, you can add in more cayenne or some red pepper flakes while it’s cooking.

How Do You Store Sauteed Garlic Shrimp?

Store spanish garlic shrimp in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Warm the shrimp up in the microwave or in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil. It will heat up fast, so be careful to not overcook it.

Can You Freeze Garlic Shrimp?

Yes, you can freeze this sauteed garlic shrimp recipe. Place it in a freezer container or freezer-safe bag.

When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up until just hot.

More Paleo Shrimp Recipes

Now that you know how to cook garlic shrimp, you might also enjoy some of my other paleo shrimp recipes:

• Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi – This paleo twist on shrimp scampi with pasta is always a big hit. Lots of flavor and lots of nutrition.
• Healthy Fried Coconut Shrimp – This one is a great appetizer, especially if you love coconut flavors. So good!
• Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits – The southern staple gets a nutritious upgrade!