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Camarones Al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

May 18, 2021

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These camarones al ajillo or garlic shrimp recipe is one of my favorite tapas to order when I visit a Spanish or Portuguese restaurant. Serving this camaron al ajillo dish with warm, crusty bread for dipping into the garlic sauce is a must. One of my favorite things to do is to meet up with friends after work at some of our favorite tapas bars and order this delicious garlic shrimp appetizer with a few drinks. Because of my love for this camarones al ajillo dish, I decided to recreate it at home to enjoy whenever I want! If you’re a shrimp lover like me, make sure to also give this Jerk Shrimp Rasta Pasta recipe a try.

Camarones al Ajillo recipe

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Portuguese restaurants serve this appetizer as well but it’s called camarao a guilho in Portuguese. So whether you order this tapas dish at a Portuguese or Spanish restaurant and call it camarao a guilho or camaron al ajillo, one thing is for sure, you will absolutely love it! If you enjoyed this camaron al ajillo recipe, then definitely try this Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp for an easier version in the air fryer.

Ingredients for the garlic shrimp recipe

How To Make Camarones al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

  1. First, start by peeling and deveining the shrimp. If you purchased shrimp that is already peeled and deveined, you can skip this step.
  2. Season the shrimp with lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside for now.
  3. Next, chop and mince the garlic cloves.
  4. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
  5. Once the butter has melted, add in the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  6. Add the dry white wine, lower the heat to medium and give everything a quick stir.
  7. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.
  8. Finally, garnish with fresh parsley and serve the camarones al ajillo with crusty bread for dipping into the garlic sauce and enjoy!
Receita de camarão a guilho

How To Peel and Devein Shrimp

The best way to peel shrimp is to start at the head of the shrimp and begin peeling off the exterior shell. You can leave the tail on as it holds flavor but that’s according to preference. In order to devein the shrimp, insert a small pairing knife about a 1/4 of an inch into the shrimp’s back. You should see the long vein and be able to remove it completely using either the knife or your fingers. This is a rather simple process but I can see it being a bit tedious if you’ve never done it before.

What Is The Best Wine To Use For This Recipe?

I love cooking with dry white wine. Some of the best types of dry white wine to cook seafood with are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or even Sauvignon Blanc. I tend to lean towards the Pinot Grigio but any of these wines will do the job.

Camarones al ajillo or garlic shrimp is served with crusty bread

Tips & Variations

  • I added 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes because I love the kick it gives the camarones al ajillo. Omit the crushed red pepper flakes if you don’t enjoy a little heat.
  • Save some time by purchasing shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. I do leave the tails on because they pack a lot of flavor but that will be according to personal preference.
  • Some people like to add green or red peppers to their camarones al ajillo. I recommend adding the chopped peppers right after adding the butter and sautéing for about 3-4 minutes before adding the garlic.
Camarones al ajillo or garlic shrimp

Camarones al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)

These camarones al ajillo or garlic shrimp are the ultimate tapas dish! Serving them with warm, crusty bread on the side to dip into the garlic sauce is a must.
5 from 3 votes
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Keyword: camaron al ajillo, camarones al ajillo, camarao a guilho, garlic shrimp, garlic shrimp recipe, camaron al ajillo recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 139kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 of a lemon
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • fresh parsley for garnishing

Instructions

  • First, start by peeling and deveining the shrimp. If you purchased shrimp that is already peeled and deveined, you can skip this step.
  • Season the shrimp with lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside for now.
  • Next, chop and mince the garlic cloves.
  • Heat the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
  • Once the butter has melted, add in the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  • Add the dry white wine, lower the heat to medium and give everything a quick stir.
  • Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.
  • Finally, garnish with fresh parsley and serve the camarones al ajillo with crusty bread for dipping into the garlic sauce and enjoy!

Notes

  • I added 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes because I love the kick it gives the camarones al ajillo. Omit the crushed red pepper flakes if you don’t enjoy a little heat.
  • Save some time by purchasing shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. I do leave the tails on because they pack a lot of flavor but that will be according to personal preference.
  • Some people like to add green or red peppers to their camarones al ajillo. I recommend adding the chopped peppers right after adding the butter and sautéing for about 3-4 minutes before adding the garlic.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 287mg | Sodium: 2053mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Facts
Camarones al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)
Amount per Serving
Calories
139
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
2
g
3
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Cholesterol
 
287
mg
96
%
Sodium
 
2053
mg
89
%
Potassium
 
137
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
3
g
1
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
24
g
48
%
Vitamin A
 
14
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
8
mg
10
%
Calcium
 
185
mg
19
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jasmin Shaafi

    May 19, 2021 at 8:25 am

    5 stars
    Woooow this looks so good! I love that you have recommended the wine you like the most for this dish, so perfect! It seems really easy to follow too so I’ll be definitely trying this out. Thank you sharing!

    • The Six Figure Dish

      May 19, 2021 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks Jasmin! Hope you enjoy!

      • Kimberlie

        May 19, 2021 at 12:11 pm

        I have never had this version. I have previously enjoyed Camarrones al Diablo, so I’m excited to try this one. Thanks for the great recipe.

        • The Six Figure Dish

          May 20, 2021 at 5:17 pm

          Thanks Kimberlie! Hope you enjoy!

  2. Julian

    May 19, 2021 at 11:07 am

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe! Shrimp is one of my favorite seafood and these look so delicious. Certainly giving this a try. Thanks for sharing

    • The Six Figure Dish

      May 19, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks Julian! Hope you give it a try!

  3. Nora

    May 19, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious! Now I have a craving for it! Have to cook it next weekend right away.

    • The Six Figure Dish

      May 20, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks Nora! Hope you enjoy it!

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