Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp)
- ⏱ 25 minutes
- Medium
- Serves 2
- 👥 2-cook recipe
Shrimp are marinated with minced garlic, cooked in aromatic garlic oil, and finished with vinegar and parsley.
Adapted from Serious Eats.
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Gambas al Ajillo (S...
0/0
COOK 1COOK 2
1Mise en place
2Prepare the garlic
In a large bowl, finely mince 12 garlic cloves, In a...
Set aside the remaining 12 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3Plate and serve
+ 12 more steps in the app
Gambas al Ajillo (S...
0/0
COOK 2COOK 1
1Mise en place
Prep 1 lb shrimp: peel, shells reserved
Prep 2 tbsp parsley leaves: chop
2Prepare the garlic
3Plate and serve
+ 12 more steps in the app
Ingredients
- 12 garlic cloves
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled, shells reserved)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 tsp sherry vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves (chopped)
The full plan
Split between two cooks — each step says who's on it.
1. Mise en place COOK 1
- Prep 1 lb shrimp: peel, shells reserved
- Prep 2 tbsp parsley leaves: chop
2. Prepare the garlic COOK 2
- In a large bowl, finely mince 12 garlic cloves, In a large skillet, smash 4 garlic cloves under the flat side of a knife
- Set aside the remaining 12 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3. Marinate the shrimp COOK 2
- In the large bowl with the minced garlic, add the shrimp, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and baking soda
- Toss to combine thoroughly and set aside at room temperature
🤝 Cook 1 hands over the shrimp.
4. Infuse the oil COOK 1
- In the large skillet with the smashed garlic, add the shrimp shells, remaining olive oil, and red pepper flakes
- Set over medium-low to low heat and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until the shells are deep ruby red, the garlic is pale golden brown, and the oil is intensely aromatic, about 10 minutes
- Keep the oil gently bubbling the whole time
- When ready, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl, tossing and pressing the shrimp shells to extract as much oil as possible
- Discard the shells and garlic
🤝 Cook 2 hands over the garlic.
5. Cook the shrimp COOK 2
- Return the flavored oil to the large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering
- Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until pale golden brown, about 1 minute
- Add the shrimp and cook, tossing and stirring constantly until barely cooked through, about 2 minutes
- Add the sherry vinegar and parsley and toss to combine
- Season to taste with salt
🤝 Cook 1 hands over the parsley leaves.
6. Plate and serve BOTH
- Serve immediately
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