Gambas Pil Pil - Spanish Gambas or Pil Pil is a popular and simple tapas recipe for plump and juicy Garlic and Chilli Prawns. What’s more? It is absolutely delicious and ready to eat in a matter of minutes!
GAMBAS PIL PIL - What are Pil Pil Prawns
Pil pil is a traditional Spanish dish originating from the Basque Country. Usually made with seafood such as Prawns/Shrimp or Salt Fish. This dish is served as tapas or an appetiser/starter.
This recipe is made with Fresh Prawns, Olive Oil, Garlic, Red Chillies, Smoked Paprika and Parsley.
The prawns are cooked very quickly and are served sizzling in a hot oil that usually in an earthenware dish or ramekin as tapas starter with crusty bread.
The oil absorbs all the flavour of the ingredients and becomes the most flavourful and succulent dipping oil. Perfect to dip some crusty garlic bread into!
What is Pil Pil in Spanish?
‘Pil Pil’ refers to the sound of the oil bubbling once it gets hot.
How to clean Shell on Prawns
If you prefer, you can use pre shelled and deveined prawns but shell on prawns always taste better even if that shell is removed just before cooking.
Pil Pil Ingredients
There are very few ingredients in this recipe so try to use the best that you can. You need five main ingredients:
Olive Oil
A light olive oil is best. Steer clear of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Light Olive Oil is refined and has a higher smoke point then most Olive Oils.
Prawns
Fresh plump Jumbo King Prawns that are peeled are great to use in this recipe because they are full of flavour and take on flavour well too.
I also like to use Prawns in their shell sometimes and either remove the shell or keep it on. Both work great.
Garlic
Sliced fresh garlic adds so much flavour in this recipe. It is best to not slice too fine as it can burn.
Smoked Paprika
This adds a smoky flavour as well as colour.
Red Chillies
Chopped red chillies or dried chilli flakes can be used in this recipe. For best flavour I would opt for the fresh chilli.
Dry and Fresh Parsley
Parsley is a gentle citrusy herb that compliments this dish perfectly. I use both fresh and dry herbs but you can use either or both like I do.
Lemons
I like to add a squeeze of Lemon before serving.
How to make Gambas Pil Pil
Once you have peeled the prawns, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Heat Olive Oil until lightly bubbling.
Once hot, add Garlic and chopped Red Chillies.
Add Prawns and cook for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes before flipping or as soon as they change colour.
Add Smoked Paprika and Dry Parsley and stir in.
Sprinkle over fresh chopped parsley.
Serve with a sprinkle of Lemon Juice.
What to serve with Gambas Pil Pil
It is best served with bread - fresh bread, crusty bread, garlic bread. Any bread that you can dip into the delicious oil.
Expert Tips
Garlic
It is better to slice the Garlic for this recipe. If you slice it too finely it may burn.
Grating it can make it bitter. So the best option in this recipe is to slice it to a medium thickness.
Each medium piece of Garlic should give you around 7 - 8 slices.
Oil
The quantity of oil here may seem excessive but this will be mopped up before you know it.
Any remaining oil can be used to flavour other dishes throughout the week.
Storage Instructions
Fridge
This keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container or cling filmed dish for up to 3 days but in my experience it doesn't last longer then 3 minutes.
Freezer
I don’t often recommend freezing prawns because reheating them makes them rubbery but because these are barely cooked, they are actually fine to be frozen.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, bring to room temperature and cook for 1 - 2 minutes on the hob.
More Prawn Recipes:
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Gambas Pil Pil
Gambas Pil Pil - Spanish Gambas or Pil Pil is a popular and simple tapas recipe for plump and juicy Garlic and Chilli Prawns. What’s more? It is absolutely delicious and ready to eat in a matter of minutes!
Ingredients
- 240 g Raw King Prawns Shelled and Deveined
- Flaky Salt and Course Pepper
- 75 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 7 medium cloves Garlic Sliced to medium thickness
- 2 Red Chillies Sliced finely
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Dry Parsley
- Few Leaves Fresh Parsley Chopped finely
- 2 tbsp Lemon To serve, optional
Instructions
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Season prawns with salt and pepper and set aside.
-
Heat Olive Oil in a deep pan.
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Once hot, add Garlic and chopped Red Chillies.
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Once they sizzle, add Prawns and cook for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes before flipping. Or just flip as soon as they change colour.
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Add Smoked Paprika and Dry Parsley. Cook for a further 1 1/2 minute.
-
Sprinkle over fresh chopped parsley. Serve with a wedge of Lemon.
Recipe Notes
What to serve with Gambas Pil Pil
It is best served with bread - fresh bread, crusty bread, garlic bread. Any bread that you can dip into the delicious oil.
Expert Tips
Garlic
It is better to slice the Garlic for this recipe. If you slice it too finely it may burn.
Grating it can make it bitter. So the best option in this recipe is to slice it to a medium thickness.
Each medium piece of Garlic should give you around 7 - 8 slices.
Oil
The quantity of oil here may seem excessive but this will be mopped up before you know it.
Any remaining oil can be used to flavour other dishes throughout the week.
Storage Instructions
Fridge
This keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container or cling filmed dish for up to 3 days but in my experience it doesn't last longer then 3 minutes.
Freezer
I don’t often recommend freezing prawns because reheating them makes them rubbery but because these are barely cooked, they are actually fine to be frozen.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, bring to room temperature and cook for 1 - 2 minutes on the hob
Kp says
Such an easy and amazingly tasty recipe. Only way to eat prawns for me
Safira says
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Victoria Jones says
Just made this. Delicious! And so easy, I’ll be making this regularly. Thank you
Safira says
Thankyou! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂