Garlic Butter Shrimp Gambas Pulutan
Chef RV Manabat (adapted by JojoM)
Butter-poached shrimp gambas al ajillo in garlicky, spicy oyster sauce—serve as Spanish-style tapas, Filipino pulutan, or rich ulam with rice.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Gambas Pulutan
This shrimp gambas is a delicious marriage of Spanish-style al ajillo and Filipino pulutan. Butter-poached shrimp are bathed in a glossy garlic-infused oyster sauce spiked with paprika and chili. Serve it sizzling with crusty bread or fluffy white rice—and get ready to fight over that sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ✅ Ready in under 30 minutes
- 🍤 Big shrimp flavour with garlicky richness
- 🌶️ Adjust the spice to your taste
- 🥖 Serve with bread or rice—it’s versatile!
- 🍽️ Perfect for pulutan, party platters, or date night
Cooking Tips
- Use large prawns or shrimp so they stay juicy.
- Pat them dry before seasoning to ensure a good sear.
- Don’t let the garlic brown too much—it will taste bitter.
- Taste your sauce before adding shrimp and adjust accordingly.
- Serve while sizzling hot so the butter sauce stays silky.
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty baguette slices for dipping
- Garlic rice or plain steamed rice
- Topped with extra toasted garlic and parsley
- Chilled beer or white wine on the side if serving as pulutan
Frequently Asked
Can I use frozen shrimp for this gambas recipe?
Yes. Thaw frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight or under cold running water, then pat them very dry before seasoning. Excess moisture can dilute the butter sauce and prevent the shrimp from searing.
What People Are Saying
“Ginawa ko kagabi as pulutan, ubos agad! Yung sauce ang pinag-aagawan, buti na lang may extra tinapay.”
— Maui, ★★★★★
“Swak na swak sa panlasa, hindi sobrang alat at sakto lang ang anghang. Next time try ko naman with fish fillet gaya sa comments.”
— Carlo, ★★★★★
“Perfect for date night! Ginamit ko large prawns at konting extra butter—super garlicky and sosyal ang lasa.”
— Anna, ★★★★☆
Tag us if you try this at your next party! #shrimpgambas #pulutan #garlicbuttershrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp Gambas Pulutan
Chef RV Manabat (adapted by JojoM)Butter-poached shrimp gambas al ajillo in garlicky, spicy oyster sauce—serve as Spanish-style tapas, Filipino pulutan, or rich ulam with rice.
Chef's Tips
Use large raw prawns or shrimp so they stay juicy and don’t overcook quickly.
Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning so they sear instead of steaming.
Simmer the garlic gently—if it burns, the sauce will taste bitter.
Taste the sauce before adding the shrimp and adjust salt, chili, or acidity to your liking.
Serve sizzling-hot with crusty bread to soak up every bit of the buttery sauce.
Tools Used
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Ingredients
Shrimp & Simple Marinade
Garlic Butter Gambas Sauce
To Finish & Serve
Instructions
Season the Shrimp
- 1
Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a large bowl and pat them dry with kitchen paper.
- 2
Season with salt and black pepper, then drizzle over the calamansi or lemon juice.
- 3
Toss gently until the shrimp are evenly coated, then set aside while you start the sauce.
Build the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1
Heat half of the butter with the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until the butter melts and starts to foam.
- 2
Add the fresh minced garlic and sauté gently for 30–60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste, oyster sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper and a splash of water. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the mixture turns into a glossy, slightly thick sauce.
- 4
Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, chilli flakes or water as needed to balance the flavour and thickness.
Cook the Gambas
- 1
Turn the heat to medium-high and add the seasoned shrimp to the pan in an even layer.
- 2
Cook the shrimp for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn opaque and bright orange-pink on all sides.
- 3
Lower the heat and stir in the remaining butter to enrich and emulsify the sauce.
- 4
Sprinkle in half of the toasted garlic and half of the chopped parsley, tossing to coat the shrimp evenly.
Finish and Serve
- 1
Transfer the sizzling shrimp and plenty of sauce to a shallow serving dish or small sizzling plate.
- 2
Top with the remaining toasted garlic and chopped parsley.
- 3
Serve immediately with slices of crusty baguette or a big bowl of steamed rice so guests can soak up the garlicky butter sauce.
Comments & Reviews
Anna
11/14/2025
Perfect for date night! Ginamit ko large prawns at konting extra butter—super garlicky and sosyal ang lasa.
Carlo
11/14/2025
Swak na swak sa panlasa, hindi sobrang alat at sakto lang ang anghang. Next time try ko naman with fish fillet gaya sa comments.
Maui
11/14/2025
Ginawa ko kagabi as pulutan, ubos agad! Yung sauce ang pinag-aagawan, buti na lang may extra tinapay.
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 portion (about 250g cooked shrimp with sauce)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
