Description
This Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Saffron is an incredible seafood dish bursting with authentic flavors. Succulent shrimp are sautéed in fragrant olive oil infused with garlic, crushed red pepper, saffron, and paprika, finished with a fresh splash of lemon juice and parsley. Perfect as a main course, this quick and easy stovetop recipe delivers a taste of Spain in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Seasonings & Spices
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the sliced garlic to the pan and cook it gently until it turns lightly golden and releases a fragrant aroma, about 1 to 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Add spices: Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, saffron threads, and paprika, mixing well to allow the spices to bloom in the warm oil and deepen their flavors.
- Cook the shrimp: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet and season them with salt and black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Finish with lemon and parsley: Drizzle the lemon juice over the shrimp and toss gently to coat evenly. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Serve with warm crusty bread, rice, or potatoes to soak up the flavorful oil.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For best results, use fresh shrimp and high-quality saffron threads.
