Pil pil prawns(gambas pil pil)in 15 minutes.

Pil pil prawns(gambas pil pil), is a spicy Spanish garlic shrimp appetizer dish you can make in 15 minutes.

An easy tapas dish served in most restaurants as a starter with crusty slices of bread to dip into the chili garlic oil.

This shrimp recipe is an example on how simple flavors can give you the best results.

Ingredients and flavors in pil pil prawns(Spanish gambas pil pil).

Pil pil prawns is the Spanish version of a chilli garlic prawn recipe.

To make the pill pil prawns(shrimp), you first season the shrimp with salt, pepper and set aside.

To make the chilli garlic oil, you warm the olive oil, then add garlic slivers to infuse the olive oil, and then include the chillies in the oil.

Once the chilli oil is done, you add the shrimp into it, let it cook, and absorb all the flavors.

The shrimp is then served on a clay platter while it is still sizzling.

Garnish with a few lime wedges and chopped parsley and your Gambas al pil pil is ready to be served.

What to serve with pil pil gambas.

Keep it simple with rustic bread slightly toasted to serve with the shrimp. A salad of your choice on the side should do.

Frequently asked questions on cooking pil pil prawns.

Can I use frozen shrimp to make pil pil prawns?

Yes, you can simply leave them out to thaw pat them dry and use as needed.

How do I clean and devein fresh shrimp to pil pil shrimp?

Here’s a post on how to clean and devein shrimp.

Can I make the pil pil prawns ahead of time?

This seafood dish takes minutes to cook, what I would suggest is to have all the ingredients ready with the shrimp seasoned as well.

Cook 5-10 minutes before serving time.

More quick shrimp recipes to try

Lemon pepper shrimp in 15 minutes.

Tandoori shrimp(prawns)

Fried shrimp(breaded and fried)

Peel and eat shrimp(grilled)

Easy sauteed shrimp

Recipe at a glance

How to make Spanish pil pil prawns

Ingredients
15 prawns(roughly 250g depending on size) deveined and cleaned
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Salt to season
To make the garlic chilli oil
5 garlic cloves sliced into thin slivers(avoid mincing or crushing the garlic, you want thin slices)
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 medium-sized red chillies sliced thin(you can use any type of fresh chilli available to you)
1 teaspoon of sweet paprika powder(if this is not available, try Kashmiri chilli powder which has a similar taste)
1/2 teaspoon of red chilli flakes(optional to increase heat)
1/4 cup of chopped parsley(optional as garnish)

Method

Pat dry the cleaned and deveined shrimp and add them to a bowl.

Season with pepper(1/4 tsp) and salt. Combine and set aside for a few minutes.

How to make the chilli garlic oil.

Traditionally pil pil prawns are made in a flat bottomed clay pot, but you can use any type of pan to make the dish.

Place the pan over low heat and pour in the olive oil(1/4 cup), let it warm for a few seconds.

Add the sliced garlic(5 cloves), chopped red chillies(2 medium), chilli flakes(1/2 tsp, optional to increase heat), and sweet paprika powder(1 tsp).

Fry the ingredients for a few seconds until the garlic turns golden in color.

Then add in the prawns(shrimp). Toss and cook them over low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn pink.

Cook each side for at least 2 minutes and add extra paprika powder(1/4 tsp), toss.

Season with salt, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with a few wedges of lime and toasted crusty bread.