If you are craving a dish that bursts with bold flavors yet comes together with surprising ease, this Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe is your ultimate go-to. Imagine succulent prawns swimming in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with smoky paprika and a subtle kick of chili, creating a delightful melody of Mediterranean flavors. This dish not only dazzles the taste buds but also brings that warm, inviting vibe of a Spanish tapas bar right into your home kitchen. Perfect for a cozy dinner or impressing guests, it’s a spectacular celebration of simplicity and taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines with just a handful of carefully chosen ingredients, each bringing its own magic to the dish. From the aromatic garlic to the vibrant smoked paprika and velvety butter, every component enhances the prawns’ natural sweetness and builds layers of flavor that make this dinner unforgettable.
- Large prawns or shrimp (12 pieces): Fresh or thawed, peeled and deveined for that perfect tender bite and fast cooking time.
- Salt (½ tsp): Essential to draw out the prawns’ natural flavor and balance the richness.
- Black pepper (¼ tsp): Adds just the right hint of warmth without overpowering the dish.
- Olive oil (2 tbsp): The foundation for the sauce, offering fruity richness and a silky texture.
- Butter (2 tbsp): Creates the luxurious, creamy base that carries all the garlic and spices beautifully.
- Garlic cloves (6, thinly sliced): The hero ingredient that provides that unmistakable punch of flavor.
- Smoked paprika (½ tsp): Delivers a subtle smokiness that lifts the whole dish unexpectedly.
- Red pepper flakes (¼ tsp, optional): Adds a gentle heat to keep things exciting, without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Lemon juice (1 tbsp): Brings a lively freshness that brightens and balances the richness.
- Fresh parsley (1 tbsp, chopped): A colorful, fragrant finishing touch that adds freshness.
How to Make Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe
Step 1: Season the Prawns
Start by giving your prawns a gentle pat dry—this step helps get that delightful sear. Then, sprinkle them lightly with salt and black pepper. Simple seasoning, but it sets the stage for all the flavorful magic to follow.
Step 2: Build the Garlic Butter Base
Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat and add your thinly sliced garlic. Let it cook gently until you catch that irresistible fragrant scent and the garlic turns a soft golden color—about one minute. This is the heart of your sauce, so be careful not to let the garlic brown too much, or it will taste bitter. Next, add butter, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Watch as everything melts into a glorious red-gold sauce that smells like pure comfort.
Step 3: Cook the Prawns
Turn the heat up slightly to medium-high and arrange your seasoned prawns in a single layer in the skillet. Let them cook about 1½ to 2 minutes on each side until they turn that gorgeous pinkish-orange and become opaque. Prawns cook quickly, so keep an eye on them—overcooking means losing that tender, juicy texture.
Step 4: Finish with Lemon and Parsley
Once the prawns are perfectly cooked, remove the pan from the heat. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley over the top. Give everything a gentle toss to ensure each prawn is coated in that luscious garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately to enjoy the sizzling, aromatic experience.
How to Serve Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley lends not only a beautiful pop of green but a bright, herby contrast to the rich sauce. A final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a wedge of lemon on the side lets everyone personalize their plate for a fresh burst of flavor with every bite.
Side Dishes
This Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe truly shines when paired with crusty bread to sop up every last drop of the garlicky sauce, echoing the traditional Spanish way of serving. For a heartier meal, warm rice or orzo tossed lightly with herbs works beautifully, as do roasted potatoes with a touch of rosemary. If you want to change gears a bit, try it over garlic prawn spaghetti—the seafood flavor elevates the pasta into something extraordinary.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these prawns straight from the skillet at the table for a lively, communal feel that encourages sharing and conversation. Alternatively, plate them over a bed of fluffy rice or nestled atop delicate pasta. For a dinner party vibe, spoon them into individual ramekins or small plates garnished with a lemon wedge and sprinkle of parsley for a rustic yet elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within one day for the best taste and texture. Prawns tend to lose their delicate texture if stored longer, so speedy enjoyment is key!
Freezing
This dish is not ideal for freezing since the delicate prawns and buttery sauce can change texture and separation can occur. It’s best to enjoy freshly made for that fresh, bright flavor and perfect texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently over low heat in a skillet with a splash of olive oil to revive the garlic butter sauce without overcooking the prawns. Avoid microwaving heavily as it tends to dry them out and dull the vibrant flavors.
FAQs
Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure a nice sear and avoid excess moisture in the pan.
How spicy is this Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe?
The heat is mild to medium depending on your use of red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the amount or omit them if you prefer less spice.
Can I substitute butter or olive oil?
While butter and olive oil together create the signature richness and depth, you can use one or the other, but the sauce won’t have quite the same creamy texture and flavor complexity.
What sides best complement this dish?
Crusty bread is the classic choice to soak up the sauce, but rice, roasted potatoes, or pasta are delicious alternatives that make this a satisfying dinner.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight meal?
Yes! The prawns cook quickly, and the sauce comes together in minutes, making it a perfect option for a fast yet impressive dinner.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the simple elegance of this Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe. It takes humble ingredients and transforms them into a dish filled with warmth, aroma, and rich Mediterranean flavor that feels like a celebration in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for two or entertaining friends, this recipe promises smiles, sizzle, and a table full of happy memories. I can’t wait for you to try it—you might just find a new favorite dinner!
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Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) Dinner Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of Spain with this classic Spanish Garlic Butter Prawns recipe, also known as Gambas al Ajillo. Large prawns are quickly cooked in a fragrant and bubbling bath of olive oil, butter, garlic, smoked paprika, and a touch of chili, resulting in a rich and aromatic seafood dish perfect for a cozy dinner for two. Serve it with crusty bread, rice, roasted potatoes, or pasta to create a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
For the Prawns
- 12 large prawns or shrimp, peeled & deveined
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Optional Serving Ideas
- Crusty bread (traditional Spanish way)
- Rice or orzo
- Roasted potatoes
- Pasta (garlic prawn spaghetti version)
Instructions
- Season the prawns: Pat the prawns dry to ensure a good sear, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Build the garlic butter base: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a wide skillet. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook gently until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute. Then add the butter, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, allowing everything to melt together into a fragrant red-gold sauce.
- Cook the prawns: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the prawns in a single layer. Cook for 1½ to 2 minutes per side until the prawns turn pink and opaque. Be sure to remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking, keeping the prawns juicy.
- Finish: Stir in the lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley, tossing everything together to coat the prawns thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately to enjoy the sizzling experience.
Notes
- Traditional Gambas al Ajillo is served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce — highly recommended.
- For a more substantial meal, serve with rice cooked in chicken broth and a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.
- Do not brown the garlic too much as it may become bitter; add butter after the garlic starts softening to avoid burnt spots.
- Prawns cook very quickly; remove them as soon as they are opaque to maintain juiciness.
- For additional smoky depth, sprinkle an extra pinch of smoked paprika just before serving.
- Seafood is best enjoyed fresh. If needed, refrigerate leftovers up to 1 day and reheat gently over low heat with a little olive oil—avoid heavy microwaving.
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