Roasted Gambas al ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

Jump to Recipe | Print Recipe

Let’s get straight down to business today! You know when you come home from a long day and you actually want to eat homemade food, but you JUST CAN’T EVEN. I know that feeling all too well, and my solution is to have recipes like this that take under half an hour from start to finish. Enter my Roasted Gambas al ajillo AKA garlic shrimp!

Gambas al ajillo is a very typical tapa that can be found in almost any restaurant in southern and central Spain. I’ll never forget the story my mom told me about ordering this dish in Barcelona – the menu said it came with four prawns (super big shrimp). When she and my dad got the bill it cost TEN euros PER shrimp!! She almost fainted but said it was worth every euro considering it was the best shrimp she’d ever had.  

This recipe is the model for all quick and easy recipes, and I’ll prove it!

  • Requires less than 10 ingredients (most of which are pantry items you already have)
  • Less than 25 minutes from prep to table
  • You don’t have to stand over a hot stove to cook it
  • Can be made prepped ahead of time so you just throw it in the oven when you’re ready to eat
  • You can put these on skewers and grill them for the tastiest grilled shrimpies you’ve ever had!

I rest my case :) 

Another tip: I always keep a big bag of wild caught shrimp in the freezer for meals like this. Red Argentinian shrimp are my favorite, they’re so flavorful and tender! Odds are I have all the other ingredients on hand at any given time, so it’s a no-brainer as long as I remember to defrost the shrimp a day ahead of time :)

Ingredients

How to make it

Whisk together the marinade ingredients (olive oil, thyme, chili powder, smoked paprika, and minced garlic) in a bowl large enough to fit the shrimp.

Add the shrimp to the marinade and gently toss to combine. Cover with plastic and set aside in the fridge for 10-15 minutes (or up to 8-9 hours).

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the shrimp on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle a few pinches each of kosher salt and black pepper over the shrimp.

Roast in the oven for 8-10 minutes tops – the shrimp should be firm. Squeeze some lemon onto the shrimp and top with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.


 

A delectable dish inspired by Spanish-style garlic shrimp - easy enough for a quick weeknight meal, yet elegant enough for a fancy dinner!

Roasted Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

A delectable dish inspired by Spanish-style garlic shrimp - easy enough for a quick weeknight meal, yet elegant enough for a fancy dinner!
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds large shrimp shelled and deveined
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Lemon cut into wedges
  • 2 Tablespoons Italian flat-leaf parsley chopped (optional)

Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
  • 1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 6 cloves garlic finely minced

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together the marinade ingredients (olive oil, thyme, chili powder, smoked paprika, and minced garlic) in a bowl large enough to fit the shrimp.
  • Add the shrimp to the marinade and gently toss to combine. Cover with plastic and set aside in the fridge for 10-15 minutes (or up to 8-9 hours).
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the shrimp on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle a few pinches each of kosher salt and black pepper over the shrimp.
  • Roast in the oven for 8-10 minutes tops – the shrimp should be firm. Squeeze some lemon onto the shrimp and top with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Adapted from: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/grilled-shrimp-with-garlic-gambas-al-ajillo-recipe-1950678

8 thoughts on “Roasted Gambas al ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

  1. 5 stars
    Nikki – I haven’t tried it but gave it 5 stars because it sounds so delicious and is appears to be so quick and easy to make. I have never made shrimp at home but am going to do this!!!!

    And as for prawns – many years ago I ordered some in a Florida restaurant and they were worth every penny. I haven’t seen them on any menu in years.

    Thanks for sharing this recipe…Patti

    1. Hi Patti! You MUST make this, it’s the easiest dinner and deee-lish :) I order prawns whenever i see them too!! Hope you’re having a wonderful summer!

  2. Hi Nikki,
    I am looking forward to making this. It sounds YUMMY! Hope you are all doing well.

    1. Hello Bonnie! So great to hear from you, we’re doing very well :) I hope you are having a great summer, and you must let me know once you try this!

    1. Aww, thanks for stopping by Lyrah!! I really hope both you and Stef love this recipe as much as we do! It’s just so easy!!

  3. 5 stars
    So easy to throw together and the oven temp is perfect for roasting a side dish of vegetables alongside it. Toned down the garlic for family taste and less spice for the kids and still DELICIOUS!!

Comments are closed.