Shrimp in Garlic Sauce (Camarones Al Ajillo) are shrimps that are cooked in a garlic sauce and usually served with double fried plantains (tostones). For this recipe, I will be using fresh cilantro and garlic from my garden to create intense rich flavors in this dish. However, today some recipes call for parsley, crushed red pepper flakes and cooking wine so feel free to add these ingredients if you so desire.
I lived with my Aunt, Paulita and Uncle, Agripino for many years in Puerto Rico. My Aunt was an excellent cook and she made the best Shrimp in Garlic Sauce. She always served this dish with double fried plantains (tostones) and with a salad.
Harvesting the Cilantro and Garlic from Aida’s Garden!
Aida harvesting cilantro from her garden.
The joy of harvesting fresh garlic from Aida’s Garden!
Peeling and Chopping the Fresh Produce!
Split open the fresh garlic bulb after removing the stem and then cut off the root end.
Remove the garlic cloves from both halves.
Place one garlic clove in center of cutting board.
To peel a garlic clove, place a clove under the flat side of a knife blade and press down with the palm of your hand until you hear a crack.
Now you can peel the garlic clove. For this recipe, you will need 6 garlic cloves.
After rinsing the cilantro, cut the long stems off.
With a sharp knife, hold the top of the front of the blade and using a rocking motion carefully chop the cilantro.
For this recipe, you will need ¼ cup of fresh chopped cilantro.
Mashing the Garlic for the Shrimp in Garlic Sauce!
In our culture, the mortar and pestle is an essential kitchen tool. Place 6 garlic cloves in mortar.
Mash the garlic cloves with pestle.
We just finished mashing the garlic cloves.
Preparing the Garlic Mixture!
In a bowl, add the mashed garlic, ½ teaspoon Lite salt (or to taste), 1 teaspoon of fresh oregano and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to mix all the ingredients. Reserve half of the garlic mixture.
Coat the shrimp with half of the garlic mixture, using your hands.
Sautéing the Shrimp in Garlic Mixture!
In a skillet, heat ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil and 3 tablespoons of butter over high heat.
Once the butter has melted, add the other half of garlic mixture and fresh chopped cilantro.
Stir to mix all the ingredients. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes before adding the shrimp.
Place the seasoned shrimp into skillet and squeeze the juice from ½ of a lemon.
Stir to coat the shrimp with the butter garlic sauce. Reduce heat to low and sauté the shrimp for approximately 5 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink.
After a few minutes of cooking, you will notice that the shrimps are not as translucent.
After a total of 6 minutes of cooking, you can tell that the shrimps are cooked by the pink color. The shrimp in garlic sauce is ready.
Serving the Shrimp in Garlic Sauce!
The Shrimp in Garlic Sauce (Camarones al Ajillo) is not complete unless it is served with double fried plantains (tostones). This dish can also be accompanied with a salad.
Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Prepare Shrimp in Garlic Sauce (Camarones al Ajillo)!
Recipe and Nutritional Facts!
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer for more information.
Print
Shrimp in Garlic Sauce (Camarones al Ajillo)
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings 1x
Description
Shrimp in Garlic Sauce (Camarones al Ajillo) are succulent shrimps that are cooked in a garlicky-cilantro sauce and served with double fried plantains (tostones).
Ingredients
- 1 pound of jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined and rinsed
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
- ½ teaspoon lite salt (or to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ lemon
Instructions
- In a bowl, add mashed garlic cloves, salt, black pepper and oregano. Stir to mix all the ingredients.
- Reserve half of the garlic mixture.
- Seasoned shrimp with the other half of the garlic mixture.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over high heat until the butter has melted.
- Place the fresh chopped cilantro along with the reserved garlic mixture into skillet. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes before adding the shrimp.
- Add the seasoned shrimp and squeeze the juice from ½ of a lemon. Stir to coat the shrimp with the butter garlic sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and sauté the shrimp for approximately 5 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink.
- Serve warm with double fried plantains (tostones) and a salad.
Notes
I use fresh cilantro and garlic from my garden to create intense flavors to this dish.
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Sauteing
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Keywords: Shrimp in Garlic Sauce
6 Comments. Leave new
Looks delicious. Can I use regular salt instead of light salt?
Hi Ava, Yes, you can use regular salt. Since I don’t like salty foods, I normally use lite salt. Enjoy your evening!
Thank you so much Aida! I plan to make it this week😃
Hi Ava, You are welcome! ¡Buen Provecho!
Thx his for this Page,I’m doing this for dinner on Saturday for my white husband n kids,I’m Puerto Rican n I miss all my food, from now omw,imma keep coming here for more recipes.. 😊
★★★★★
Hola Aida, Thank you for enjoying my food blogging website. I try to add at least 2 recipes per month. The shrimp in garlic sauce is one of my best meals.