If you love bold, comforting seafood dishes that feel like a warm hug from the Mediterranean, then you are going to adore this one. Spanish Garlic Prawns: An Incredible Ultimate Seafood Recipe is a vibrant, flavor-packed delight that celebrates simplicity and freshness in every bite. With garlic-infused olive oil, a touch of smoky paprika, and succulent prawns that turn perfectly pink and juicy, this dish is an absolute showstopper whether you’re serving guests or craving a special weeknight treat. It’s quick to make, yet so deeply satisfying, making it a must-have recipe in your culinary repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of essential ingredients that work together like a dream. Each one adds to the texture, flavor, and color, crafting a dish that’s elegant yet so accessible. Getting these basics fresh and high-quality will make all the difference.
- 1 pound large prawns (peeled and deveined, tails on): The star of the dish, bringing a tender, juicy seafood sweetness.
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced: Infuses the oil with irresistible aroma and depth.
- 1/3 cup olive oil: The cooking medium that carries all flavors beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and vibrant red color.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a gentle touch of heat.
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry or white wine: Deglazes the pan and adds a nice tangy brightness.
- Juice of 1/2 lemon: Lifts the flavors with refreshing citrus zing.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped: Offers a pop of color and a fresh herbaceous note.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential seasoning to balance and bring out every ingredient’s best.
How to Make Spanish Garlic Prawns: An Incredible Ultimate Seafood Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Prawns
Start by patting your prawns dry with paper towels to ensure they sear beautifully. Season them lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural sweetness without overpowering it.
Step 2: Infuse Olive Oil with Garlic and Spices
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and stir constantly for about 1 to 2 minutes until it turns golden and releases that tantalizing fragrance — take care not to let it burn because garlic can turn bitter fast. Then add the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes, stirring well to infuse the oil with layered smoky and spicy notes.
Step 3: Cook the Prawns
Turn up the heat to medium-high and lay the prawns in the skillet in a single layer. Cook them for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn an inviting pink and opaque, which means they’re perfectly done — juicy and tender, never rubbery.
Step 4: Deglaze and Finish
With the prawns cooked, splash in the dry sherry or white wine to deglaze the pan, stirring for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This little trick picks up all those caramelized bits stuck to the pan, adding complexity and brightness to the sauce. Finish by squeezing in fresh lemon juice and sprinkling the chopped parsley on top to introduce freshness and color.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot right out of the skillet. Serve it with crusty bread that’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of that garlicky, paprika-spiced oil — pure magic!
How to Serve Spanish Garlic Prawns: An Incredible Ultimate Seafood Recipe
Garnishes
A handful of chopped fresh parsley not only brightens the dish visually but also enhances the vibrant flavors with its fresh, leafy notes. A lemon wedge on the side invites diners to add an extra splash of citrus to brighten those garlicky prawns even more.
Side Dishes
Crusty bread is without question the ideal companion, perfect for dipping and savoring all the infused olive oil. For a more substantial meal, pair with a crisp green salad or some roasted vegetables lightly drizzled with olive oil. Spanish rice or a simple garlic butter pasta can also make wonderful complements.
Creative Ways to Present
For a tapas-style feast, serve the Spanish garlic prawns sizzling in their cast-iron skillet to keep them hot and to impress your guests. Alternatively, arrange them over a bed of lightly dressed arugula or alongside grilled lemon halves for an inviting presentation that feels both rustic and elegant.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though they rarely last long), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days and still retain most of their flavor, though the texture of the prawns may soften slightly.
Freezing
While fresh is best for this recipe, you can freeze cooked prawns in their sauce in a freezer-safe container. They will last for up to 2 months. To maintain quality, freeze soon after cooking and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat to avoid overcooking the prawns. Adding a splash of the leftover olive oil or a touch of water can help keep the sauce luscious and prevent the prawns from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use shrimp instead of prawns?
Absolutely! Shrimp makes a perfect substitute in this recipe and will yield similarly delicious results. Just make sure to adjust cooking time slightly since smaller shrimp cook faster.
Is this dish spicy?
The spice level is mild and controllable. The red pepper flakes add a gentle kick, but you can omit them altogether if you prefer a purely mellow and garlicky flavor.
What wine pairs best with Spanish Garlic Prawns?
A crisp, dry white wine such as Albariño, Verdejo, or even a light Sauvignon Blanc complements this dish beautifully by balancing the garlic and seafood flavors.
Can I make this dish dairy-free and gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally free of dairy and gluten, making it an excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions.
How important is the type of olive oil used?
Using a good quality extra virgin olive oil really makes a difference. It not only enhances the flavor but also helps create that beautifully rich, fragrant sauce that’s central to this dish’s magic.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving the Spanish Garlic Prawns: An Incredible Ultimate Seafood Recipe a try. It’s a perfect blend of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary and utterly comforting. Whether you’re cooking for friends or just because you deserve a treat, this dish delivers pure joy with every garlicky, smoky, juicy bite. It’s an experience worth savoring again and again.
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Spanish Garlic Prawns: An Incredible Ultimate Seafood Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (as an appetizer)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Spanish Garlic Prawns, also known as Gambas al Ajillo, is an irresistible seafood appetizer featuring succulent prawns cooked in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil with a hint of smoky paprika and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Enhanced with a splash of dry sherry and fresh lemon juice, this traditional Spanish tapas dish is perfect for serving hot with crusty bread to soak up all the flavorful oils.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 pound large prawns (peeled and deveined, tails on)
Seasonings & Aromatics
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Liquids
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry or white wine
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the prawns: Pat the prawns dry using paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Season them lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the garlic turns golden and releases its fragrant aroma. Be careful not to let the garlic burn as it will impart bitterness.
- Add spices: Stir in the red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to the garlic oil, allowing the flavors to infuse and intensify for about 30 seconds.
- Cook the prawns: Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the prawns in a single layer. Cook them for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the dry sherry or white wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Continue cooking for 30 seconds to 1 minute to reduce the liquid slightly.
- Finish with lemon and parsley: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the prawns and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Give everything a gentle toss to combine and remove the skillet from heat.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the garlic prawns to a serving dish and enjoy hot with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlicky oil.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality prawns.
- This dish is traditionally served as a tapas plate in Spain, often sizzling straight from the pan.
- You can substitute shrimp for prawns if desired.
- Don’t skip the crusty bread as it’s excellent for soaking up the flavorful garlic oil.
