This simple, delicious Spanish shrimp tapa is full of flavor that will impress your guests, but only you will know how easy and quick it was to prepare. It is the perfect snack for your company or a quick dinner for two on a busy weeknight.
Every meal should start with a tapa and one of Spain's favorite tapas is gambas al ajillo, aka garlic shrimp. It takes about 15 minutes to make this delicious Spanish garlic shrimp but it tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen.
What I love about this appetizer is that it makes entertaining a breeze. I always keep a bag of peeled, deveined shrimp in my freezer (of course, fresh is better). My guests, and especially my husband, make sure there are no leftovers.
Everything is better with garlic, don't you think? I've eaten things that I normally wouldn't only because they were prepared with lots of garlic. To name a few:
- Escargot
- Frog legs
- Mussels
- Shrimp
Yet, lucky for my husband, I dislike shrimp. It's a field day for him in the event that I prepare it. I'm fine with scooping up the sauce like in marinated spicy shrimp dish because it is super delicious.
Even better for dipping bread is this Spanish sauce of garlic, lemon, and dry sherry. So much so, it was gone before I even served it. Do you taste your food while cooking?
I usually don't (wouldn't suggest this for the beginner cooks) but I couldn't resist the fragrance of this garlic shrimp.
My fresh-baked bread came out of the oven hot and soft on the inside with a wonderful crispy crust. I just had to tear a piece and soak it in the sauce, and the next piece, and then the next...I mean, who needs shrimp anyway?
The Spanish use lots of garlic for this recipe, like ten cloves or more. Because garlic makes lonely, I only used two large cloves and it was perfect. But by all means, go for ten.
Garlic is good for you; it wards off illness (and vampires, ha!) and also increases strength and endurance.
For the sake of authenticity, as well as to make sure you don't reek as you've bathed in garlic, I'm listing five cloves in my ingredients. Just know you can adjust it the way you like it.
Ingredients:
- olive oil
- garlic
- cayenne pepper
- raw peeled and deveined shrimp
- lemon
- dry sherry (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley leaves
Directions:
- If using frozen shrimp, defrost. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry.
- In a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. I love my skillet and cook so many dishes in it, as you may have noticed.
- Add the garlic and cayenne pepper and sauté until fragrant, about one minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Next, add the shrimp, lemon juice, and sherry and increase the heat to medium-high.
- Stir well, then sauté turning them once until the shrimp turn pink and curl – about 3-4 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Transfer shrimp with oil and sauce to a serving plate or serve right from the pan. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with fresh bread.
Related Recipes:
- Spicy Shrimp in Crispy Kataifi
- Oven-Baked Bang Bang Shrimp
- Grilled Shrimp Kebabs
- Quick and Easy Shrimp "Risotto"
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Linguine
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
15 Minute Spanish Garlic Shrimp Tapa
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper more if you like it hot
- 1 pound raw peeled and deveined shrimp about 25 per pound
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup dry sherry optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, defrost. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry.
- In a non-stick pan or cast iron skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cayenne pepper and sauté until fragrant, about one minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Next, add the shrimp, lemon juice, and sherry and increase the heat to medium-high.
- Stir well, then sauté turning them once until the shrimp turn pink and curl – about 3-4 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Transfer shrimp with oil and sauce to a serving plate or serve right from the pan.
- Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with fresh bread.
Expert Tips
Nutrition
Kerryanne says
Wow… looks delicious. We call them prawns in Australia.
Thank you for linking up at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week and throughout 2017. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all your projects and hope you’ll continue to share your awesomeness with us in 2018.
May your New Year be filled with lots of creative endeavours!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Jas says
Thank you bunches, Kerryanne! Wishing you the same 😀
Sandhya says
Yum! I love shrimp and this looks delicious! Thanks for bringing it to Fiesta Friday!Happy 2018!
Jas says
Thanks so much! Happy New Year!
Jann Olson says
YUM! I love shrimp! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas says
Thank you! XO
Jan says
That shrimp looks delicious and so easy to make! Pinned to give a try in the near future!
Jas says
Super easy to make! Thanks Jan and happy 2018!!!
Keri|flipflopweekend says
I love shrimp! This looks like a delicious and simple meal! Definitely saving.
Jas says
It really is simple and, from what my husband says, delicious. 😀
Nellie says
Sounds awesome.........I love shrimp and I love garlic and I love easy peasy dishes........
Blessings for a Great New year,
Nellie
Jas says
😀 It doesn't get easier than this! Happy 2018, Nellie!
Maria Elena says
Hi, Jas! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I grew up in Madrid, Spain, so this is one of my favorite tapas of all times. I am glad I found your beautiful blog. Take care, Maria Elena.
Rhonda says
Yes, yes and yes! This sounds delicious, and will be going on my table next week. I'm in search of quick recipes that I can prepare next week while on vacation. This goes on the list, I love shrimp and garlic. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
Jas says
Thanks, Rhonda! Gotta love quick meals. Enjoy your vacation!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
This dish looks fabulous! Thank you for sharing! I hope you could join us at Fiesta Friday party. 😉 Have a lovely week!
Jas says
Thank you, Jhuls! I'd be happy to join your party next Friday! Enjoy your week!
Ania says
This is perfect combinantion! Will give it a go next weekend.
Jas says
Thank you, Ania!
Carlee says
That looks amazing! I can't believe you don't eat shrimp. My little dude will happily come eat your share!
Jas says
He can have it all, ha! It's not the flavor, it's something about the texture and the look that grosses me out. However, I LOVE bang-bang shrimp! They're smaller, breaded, and coated in a sauce so I can't even tell I'm eating shrimp, lol.
Miz Helen says
Your Spanish Garlic Shrimp looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Jas says
Thank you, Miz Helen!
Jas says
Oh, I can only imagine all the wonderful flavors!
Richella Parham says
Okay, your food always looks good, but this looks wonderful! I've pinned this recipe for future reference. I love shrimp, but it's easy to end up with a less-than-flavorful shrimp dish. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I'm featuring you this week!
Jas says
Thank you, Richella! This dish is definitely full of flavor 🙂
Patty says
Mmmm Delicious Jas!
Jas says
Thank you, Patty, and thanks for stopping by 🙂