Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
Gambas Al Ajillo delivers 34g protein and 896 calories per serving, combining shrimp's lean protein profile with fat-dense preparation. Four servings cook quickly on the stovetop, working well as an appetizer or light main course within your daily macros. Useful for hitting fat targets on training days without relying on meat prep.
Ingredients
- •Shrimp(454g)
- •fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
- •Olive oil(240g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Garlic(720g)
- •Chili Peppers, Dried, Red(1g)
- •2 tablespoons dry sherry (or any dry white wine)
Instructions
- 1Season the shrimp on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. (I use about 1 teaspoon salt and about 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.) Set aside.
- 2Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering.
- 3Add garlic and chili pepper and sauté for 30-60 seconds, or until the garlic starts to turn lightly golden.
- 4Add in the shrimp and sauté, stirring and flipping occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. (Try to avoid overcooking the shrimp, since they will continue to sit in the hot oil for awhile longer.)
- 5Remove pan from the heat. Add in the sherry, a squeeze of lemon juice (if using) and your desired amount of parsley (if using), and toss to combine. Taste and season with extra salt and pepper, if needed.
- 6Serve immediately with crusty bread, for dipping.
Nutrition — Per Serving
896
calories
34g
protein
61g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 60g
- Saturated fat
- 8.6g
- Sodium
- 167 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 3.9g
4 servings per batch · ~354g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Gambas Al Ajillo have per serving?
Each serving provides 34g of protein alongside 896 calories, 61g fat, and 60g carbs. This is a higher-calorie appetizer with balanced macros that includes significant carbohydrate content from the preparation.
How long does Gambas Al Ajillo take to prep?
Quick prep time on the stovetop yields 4 servings in a single batch. Shrimp cooks fast, making this one of the quickest high-protein recipes to execute for meal prep.
Is Gambas Al Ajillo good for muscle gain?
At 34g protein and 896 calories per serving with 60g carbs, this recipe is well-suited for muscle-gain phases when you need carbohydrates for training energy and recovery. The carb content makes it particularly useful around workout timing.
