Wonderfully smokey and buttery, camarones al ajillo are Mexico’s perfectly spicy take on garlic butter shrimp. Made with three kinds of chile, every bite is more vibrant and exciting than the last.

 

The Best Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Tossed in smokey garlic butter, these camarones al ajillo are the best garlic shrimp you’ve had in a while. This is an impressive seafood recipe that’s super easy and requires less than 30 minutes to make, even with our special homemade sauce.

Packed with chipotle, chile de arbol, and guajillo peppers, these shrimp have the perfect level of heat, fruitiness, and depth. Not to mention an irresistible redness that is far from impossibly spicy. Don’t forget a bit of oregano and parsley to round out the flavors.

Sauteed until perfectly soft and buttery, this recipe is an easy appetizer-turned-main that will help you make the best of all the Mexican ingredients in your pantry.

What Are Camarones al Ajillo?

This recipe for Camarones al ajillo is the Mexican version of garlic butter shrimp. It’s a simple recipe consisting of large shrimp sauteed in garlic, melted butter, and chile guajillo for some color. The result is a naturally bright red/orange dish full of smokiness, richness, and spicy fruitiness.

They’re a popular dish in Mexican restaurants and can be served as a main course or an appetizer. However, camarones al ajillo are also popular in Spain and many Latin American countries, all with their own little additions and twists to garlic shrimp.

Recipe Ingredients

With three types of chile, you can take these garlic shrimp to the next level. You’ll be amazed at how a few simple ingredients from your local grocery store can create such a flavorful dish. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

• Unsalted butter – Feel free to use salted butter, but reduce the salt in the rest of the recipe.
• Garlic – You won’t get the same flavor, but you can swap the cloves of fresh garlic for 3 teaspoons of garlic powder.
• Dried oregano & dried parsley – If you can find it, use Mexican oregano.
• Chipotle adobo – Don’t leave it out. Most of the dish’s smokiness comes from this chile.
• Chiles de arbol – You can leave it out to reduce the heat.
• Guajillo chiles – Ancho chiles are one of the better options for a guajillo chile substitute.
• Worcestershire sauce – It adds lots of complexity, but you can leave it out.
• Olive oil – Vegetable, corn, and canola oil are good substitutes.
• Medium-large shrimp – Don’t use small shrimp because they dry out faster. Medium to large shrimp are perfect for this recipe.
• Salt and pepper – To enhance all the flavors of the dish.

How To Make Camarones Al Ajillo

Blending a sauce is about as hard as this garlic shrimp recipe will get. Tossed in smoky garlic butter and packed with chiles, this is a quick and impressive seafood dish, ready in under half an hour.

1. Cook the garlic. Melt the butter in a large pan over very low heat. Add the garlic, stir, and let it cook for 5 minutes. If they brown too quickly, reduce the heat. The mixture should be nice and fragrant.
2. Add the chiles. Add the oregano, parsley, chipotle adobo, chile de arbol, and guajillo chiles. Let them cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The guajillo chiles should have softened up a bit.
3. Blend the sauce. Remove about half of the chile guajillo slices from the pan and add them to a blender. Add the water and Worcestershire sauce. Blend until you get a smooth mixture.
4. Cook the shrimp. Raise the heat to medium-high and add the olive oil to the pan. Let it heat for a minute. Strain the blended sauce in and stir to combine. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until pink and opaque. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve. Remove the chile de arbol and serve the shrimp.

Serving Suggestions

Depending on the serving size, garlic butter shrimp can be the star of your meal or an exciting little appetizer. They’re at their best when paired with Mexican or Tex-Mex mains or sides. I like serving them with my Tex-Mex margarita chicken salad, fiesta rice, Mexican street corn salad with grilled chicken, and slow cooker beef barbacoa.

For a more complete spread, you can also add a side of warm tortillas, a bowl of fresh mango guacamole, or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. Don’t forget to pair the meal with a pitcher of tangy lime margaritas or a chilled glass of white sangria to complement the flavors perfectly.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerate any cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Don’t consume after three days to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

To reheat, sprinkle the shrimp with two teaspoons of water and then pop them into the microwave for up to a minute or until warm. You can also heat them in the pan over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.

More Easy Shrimp Recipes

• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe
• Shrimp Corn Chowder
• Juicy Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
• Baked Batter “Fried” Shrimp with Garlic Dipping Sauce

ENJOY!