Description
Camarones al Ajillo is a flavorful Mexican dish featuring large shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic and guajillo chile oil sauce, finished with a splash of fresh lime juice. This vibrant and easy-to-make recipe combines tender shrimp with aromatic garlic and smoky, slightly spicy guajillo chiles, delivering a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for serving with rice or salty crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 2 pounds large or extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails kept on
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 to 3 large dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded, thinly sliced crosswise (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes)
Serving
- Saltines or cooked rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Season the shrimp: Generously season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and a good amount of black pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
- Prepare the garlic and chile oil: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add the avocado or vegetable oil and minced garlic, cooking while stirring frequently with a wooden spoon until the garlic turns light golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add the sliced dried guajillo chiles and cook for an additional minute until the oil takes on a light ruby red color and the chiles become pliable.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Increase heat to medium and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to allow searing. Then stir the shrimp gently as they begin to curl, continuing to cook for another 4 to 6 minutes until they are opaque and cooked through.
- Finish with butter and lime juice: Stir in the unsalted butter and fresh lime juice, mixing until the butter melts and coats the shrimp evenly, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the shrimp and add more salt if needed. Serve immediately alongside saltines or cooked rice as preferred.
Notes
- Keep the heat medium-low when cooking the garlic to avoid burning it, which can create bitterness.
- If dried guajillo chiles are unavailable, you may substitute with another mild to medium dried chile like ancho or pasilla for similar flavor.
- Keeping the shrimp tails on helps retain moisture and adds a nice presentation.
- Be cautious not to overcook shrimp; they should be opaque and slightly firm but juicy.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with warm tortillas or a simple side of Mexican rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Camarones al Ajillo, Shrimp in Garlic Sauce, Mexican Shrimp Recipe, Guajillo Chile Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp, Easy Mexican Dinner
