Searching for an intro to genuine Spanish cooking? Beneath I will share my prime 29 Spanish recipes to make at residence, from easy classics to dinner-party favorites. I hope they’re going to deliver a style of Spain to your kitchen!
I am nonetheless shocked after I go to a “Spanish” restaurant within the US and see so few genuine Spanish dishes on the menu. I am an enormous fan of fusion and diversifications—however I usually marvel if the chef is aware of what the unique model is meant to style like!
The great thing about conventional Spanish recipes (from Spain!) is their simplicity. The best-quality native elements ready with excellent method and minimal intervention—THAT is the true essence of Spanish cooking.
The Finest Spanish Recipes to Attempt at House
Conventional Spanish recipes aren’t normally troublesome—however they do have their tips. I encourage anybody who loves (and even likes) cooking to experiment with a number of the genuine Spanish dishes under.
It was onerous to slim down this record, however I selected the Spanish classics you’ll make time and time once more. When you’re comfy with them, you can begin to mess around with completely different elements and variations!
You will discover a standard theme in conventional Spanish delicacies: numerous potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, and rice (that is the land of paella, in any case). You is likely to be shocked by how versatile and scrumptious these easy elements could be when ready good!
See Additionally: Scroll via a slideshow of my favourite Spanish recipes.
1. Tortilla de Patatas
Tortilla de patatas is among the commonest Spanish meals. It is a type of dishes you will discover folks consuming in any respect hours of the day (and evening!) and one thing that folks make at residence and likewise order out.
However for what’s arguably the nationwide dish, this Spanish omelet is not very well-known exterior of the nation. Right here in Spain, the commonest approach to make a tortilla is with potatoes; we name it tortilla de patatas.
The recipe for tortilla de patatas varies tremendously based mostly on how a lot you cook dinner the eggs (runny, dry, or someplace in between) and the way you cook dinner and lower the onions and potatoes.
Essentially the most controversial side of the tortilla is whether or not or not it ought to embrace onions (for my part, it undoubtedly ought to). Some folks even add different elements like ham and peas—however modifications are much less widespread than you may suppose!
Making the right tortilla is actually an artwork, however fortunately there are many tricks to make a scrumptious Spanish omelet at residence. My prime ideas are to make use of room-temperature eggs (good ones, please!) and to caramelize the onions.
I like my tortilla cooked medium—not runny, however nonetheless good and gooey inside. To cook dinner it good, I take advantage of a small frying pan (the dimensions of 1 fried egg). So as a substitute of 1 giant tortilla, I make three or 4 small ones. Works completely each time!
Make It: Here is my go-to Spanish omelet recipe—time to start out practising the right tortilla flip!
2. Pan con Tomate
In Barcelona (and all of Catalonia) you will all the time be requested in order for you pan con tomate (bread with tomato) together with your meal. Word—when you say sure, you will be charged accordingly! However usually, it’s very value it.
At its easiest, pan con tomate is recent bread rubbed with half of a tomato. However like most conventional Spanish recipes, it is a bit extra advanced than meets the attention…
I personally desire when the bread is toasted, after which I wish to rub it with only a little bit of uncooked garlic. Skip this step you probably have massive plans later—however it’s scrumptious. After that, you will want particular “rubbing tomatoes” (in Barcelona you’ll be able to ask for tomates de untar).
Whereas these will not probably be obtainable the place you reside, do experiment with several types of tomato to see which one works greatest. The tomato ought to virtually soften onto the bread (not like some varieties that’ll provide you with only a little bit of juice and seeds).
Subsequent, add a number of the greatest additional virgin olive oil yow will discover—the standard of the oil will make all of the distinction. For daring and spicy taste, go for an Andalusian Picual; for delicate and fruity notes, attempt a Catalan Arbequina.
Lastly, sprinkle on some high-quality sea salt. Now THAT is pan con tomate!
Make It: Attempt my tremendous easy pan con tomate recipe at residence.
3. Tostada con Tomate, Aceite y Jamón
In Andalusia, they do issues a bit otherwise in terms of bread and tomato. Right here, breakfast is all concerning the tostada: a bit of toasted bread coated together with your alternative of toppings.
Well-liked selections embrace butter and selfmade jam, native olive oil, tomato, paté, and ham. However right here I will give attention to what I take into account the right mixture: crushed tomato, olive oil, and cured ham!
This tempting trio of toppings makes for probably the most scrumptious and well-balanced breakfasts you will discover in Spain. I like to recommend utilizing high-quality sourdough bread or, if yow will discover it, one thing just like a Spanish mollete (an unleavened flat bread).
That is principally a variation of pan con tomate, so it does not actually require a full recipe—only a few steps. First, toast the bread and prime it with high-quality additional virgin olive oil. Subsequent, unfold on some tomato purée (you may make it within the blender with a splash of olive oil and sea salt).
Lastly, prime your tostada with high-quality Spanish ham: ideally jamón serrano or jamón ibérico (I desire ibérico, however it’s as much as you!). Take pleasure in it with a café con leche and freshly squeezed orange juice.
See Additionally: High 8 Spanish Breakfast Meals
4. Croquetas
Creamy on the within and crunchy on the skin—that is the signal of an ideal Spanish croquette.
There are numerous styles of croquetas right here in Spain, however essentially the most conventional are creamy Iberian ham croquettes (croquetas de jamón ibérico). The wealthy taste of the ham combines completely with the creamy béchamel sauce.
The method for any good croquette is comparable—all of it begins with a creamy, slow-made béchamel. Then the supporting ingredient comes alongside, whether or not it is ham, cod, veggies, or one thing else. In my expertise, the key to nice croquetas is taking your time and stirring consistently!
Make It: Attempt my ham croquettes recipe or salt cod croquettes recipe!
5. Gazpacho
The Spanish remedy for absolutely anything (chilly, flu, hangover…) is gazpacho. And with good purpose. This veggie-packed chilly soup (though it is extra like a skinny smoothie or juice) packs within the nutritional vitamins—and existed lengthy earlier than any trendy well being fad.
I desire my gazpacho served ice-cold and in a glass. I like the standard model (pepper, tomato, garlic, onion, additional virgin olive oil, and sherry vinegar), however I additionally like variations with cucumber and even fruit.
Make It: Attempt my refreshing conventional Spanish gazpacho recipe or watermelon mint gazpacho recipe—each are nice!
6. Salmorejo
I usually inform the story about my first style of salmorejo. I virtually dedicated the mortal sin of heating up this scrumptious chilly soup!
Fortunately I tasted it first, and since then I have been obsessive about this wholesome and scrumptious Andalusian delicacy. My favourite approach to eat salmorejo is topped with hard-boiled egg and cured jamón—it is the right mixture!
Make It: Attempt my mother-in-law’s unimaginable salmorejo recipe to see what all of the fuss is about.
7. Huevos Rotos
This conventional Spanish dish is simplicity at its greatest. Completely fried potatoes are topped with Spanish fried eggs, that are then “damaged” (rotos) and combined with the potatoes.
Right here in Spain, we virtually deep-fry our eggs by cooking them shortly in a pan crammed with olive oil. When carried out accurately, the yolk is left runny and the whites are good and crispy.
There are all kinds of variations on huevos rotos with ham, chorizo, blood sausage, greens… the record goes on! Simply keep in mind, you will not discover these for breakfast in Spain; that is lunch or dinner meals.
Make It: This huevos rotos recipe is simple to make and all the time satisfying!
8. Chorizo a la Sidra
Probably one of many best dishes on this record, chorizo a la sidra is solely scrumptious Spanish chorizo (paprika-spiced pork sausage) cooked in dry Spanish cider. Ideally, you must use recent or semi-cured sausage and dry cider from Asturias or the Basque Nation.
Make It: Take a look at my chorizo a la sidra recipe—it could not be less complicated.
9. Crema Catalana
One in every of my favourite desserts in Spain is crema catalana: the supposed predecessor to France’s crème brûlée (although there are conflicting tales!). That stated, not all crema catalana is created equal; the perfect variations are creamy and selfmade, however others could be watery and bland.
Crema catalana is commonly a bit extra rustic than crème brûlée. It is not fairly as creamy, and at some conventional eating places the selfmade model could be virtually scrambled. The sugar on the highest can also be usually extra burnt—however I find it irresistible anyway!
Make It: Attempt my trusty crema catalana recipe for an genuine Catalan dessert!
10. Flan
Flan is among the commonest Spanish desserts, however like crema catalana, it may be actually scrumptious or actually horrible. They even promote pre-made flan on the grocery store (within the yogurt part) and on the spot packets that you just combine with milk or water. Apparently, in some way flan seems… I have not tried it!
However good selfmade flan is properly definitely worth the effort. It is creamy and eggy, with only a contact of caramelized sugar syrup on prime. There are numerous variations, however I counsel beginning with the fundamental recipe!
Make It: Begin with my conventional Spanish flan recipe, or experiment with this flan recipe from the Canary Islands.
11. Empanada
One typical Spanish meals that I virtually all the time desire to make at house is the common-or-garden empanada. Spain’s model of this traditional snack is extra like a big rectangular pie than the hand-held pockets of dough you is likely to be used to.
Sadly, those you will discover at bars and cafés are sometimes dry, bready, and served at room temperature. They lack the superbly cooked shell and piping-hot filling of empanadas from different international locations (like Argentina).
Nonetheless, scrumptious Spanish empanadas do exist, and I feel the perfect ones are selfmade. The truth is—I will simply say it—my all-time favourite is the one I make! I add a few unconventional elements, however they’re value it.
Make It: Attempt my Spanish empanada recipe—I swear by it!
12. Berenjenas con Miel
Each time I am in Andalusia, I order this native specialty. Berenjenas con miel are thick chunks of eggplant, dusted in seasoned flour and deep-fried in olive oil. They’re then drizzled with candy honey—both the type that comes from bees or miel de caña, which is principally molasses.
Make It: Take a look at my favourite recipe for berenjenas con miel.
13. Pisto
The Spanish model of ratatouille is among the nation’s most comforting dishes. Farm-fresh greens are slowly stewed till they’re completely cooked and stuffed with taste. Usually a fried egg (huevo) is served on prime for a extra hearty meal. I may eat pisto each evening!
Make It: Attempt my model of conventional Spanish pisto con huevo your self!
14. Churros
I’ve tried churros all all through Spain, and should say that my all-time favorites come from the area of Cadiz. Skinny, crispy, and barely salty—I can simply eat a complete order of those on my own! When making churros at residence, I all the time attempt to recreate this model.
Selfmade churros are scrumptious, however a messy affair. I would not normally make them right here in Spain (opting as a substitute to move over to a neighborhood churrería), however elsewhere you will not discover the true stuff until you make it your self!
Simply keep in mind, in Spain churros are breakfast or a day/late-night snack—by no means dessert. Additionally, you will not discover cinnamon right here—just a few sugar packets and maybe a mug of extra-thick scorching chocolate.
Make It: Take pleasure in this genuine deal with wherever with my selfmade churros recipe!
15. Spanish Scorching Chocolate
How may I point out churros with out scorching chocolate? My straightforward Spanish scorching chocolate recipe is nearly too good to be true! This can be a excellent warm-you-up drink any time of 12 months, however I particularly love having fun with it within the fall whereas curled up with an excellent guide.
Make It: Give my straightforward Spanish scorching chocolate recipe a attempt.
16. Basic Spanish Sangria
Many individuals who go to Spain are shocked to study that sangria—a global image of Spanish tradition—is not truly all that well-liked amongst locals. Because of this, plenty of the sangria served at eating places is tremendous low-quality (undoubtedly made for vacationers).
However that does not imply sangria cannot be scrumptious! Should you ask me, your greatest wager is to make it your self. It is tremendous straightforward to do, and this manner you’ll be able to customise it together with your favourite fruits and flavors.
I like making selfmade sangria with recent elements and high-quality Spanish wine; I attempt to purchase the sweetest fruit obtainable to keep away from including an excessive amount of sugar. I additionally love variations made with cava or white wine!
Make It: Attempt my traditional Spanish sangria recipe or cava sangria recipe.
17. Gambas al Ajillo
One of many star dishes on our tapas excursions in Madrid are the scrumptious gambas al ajillo at La Casa del Abuelo. The dish is straightforward—shrimp, garlic, parsley, and olive oil—which implies the standard of the elements is key.
At La Casa del Abuelo they cook dinner their gambas in particular person clay dishes over a roaring flame. After they come out of the kitchen, they’re nonetheless dangerously scorching! If you may make it to Madrid, I extremely advocate making an attempt them. In any other case, recreate the traditional recipe at residence!
Make It: Take a look at my genuine gambas al ajillo recipe!
Get a behind-the-scenes have a look at this conventional tapa:
18. Torrijas
Most people I do know stay up for Semana Santa (Holy Week) for a purpose apart from Spain’s well-known processions. Easter season means it is formally time for torrijas: Spain’s scrumptious reply to French toast!
Torrijas are available many types, however they all the time begin with an enormous piece of bread. The bread is roofed in egg, fried in olive oil, after which soaked in both honey, milk, or easy syrup with brandy or wine. I like the honey-soaked selection.
In recent times, the torrija has additionally turn out to be a daily on restaurant dessert menus. On this case it is usually caramelized on the skin and served with ice cream. Really decadent!
Make It: Attempt my torrijas recipe with cinnamon sugar and honey syrup!
19. Espinacas con Garbanzos
My mother-in-law makes scrumptious espinacas con garbanzos (spiced chickpeas with spinach). This is sensible, since she’s from Andalusia the place the dish originated.
However I will allow you to in on a secret: my favourite model is the one I make at residence (please do not inform her!). It is a contact untraditional—I add almonds and tomato—however typically a little bit innovation makes all of the distinction.
Make It: Give my Spanish spinach and chickpeas recipe a attempt—I feel I’ve perfected it!
20. Papas con Mojo
This recipe comes from the Canary Islands, which have a delicacies all their very own! First, potatoes (papas, that are known as patatas in the remainder of Spain) are cooked in tremendous salty water in order that they type a crispy salt crust. This preparation is also called papas arrugadas (“wrinkled potatoes”).
The potatoes are served with mojo verde and mojo picón: two iconic sauces which are excellent for dipping and extremely straightforward to make! This dish is a good instance of how the identical outdated easy elements could be mixed in a very distinctive means.
Make It: Full the holy trio of Canarian delicacies with my papas arrugadas recipe, mojo verde recipe, and mojo picón recipe.
21. Conventional Paella
How may I record important Spanish recipes with out mentioning paella? At first I used to be a bit uncertain; there are such a lot of methods to make this well-known Spanish rice dish, and many individuals take the recipe very critically!
However I could not resist sharing this scrumptious paella recipe. It is essentially the most conventional sort of paella from Valencia, that includes meat and veggies (not seafood). And to be trustworthy, it is likely to be my favourite variety…
Make It: This conventional Spanish paella recipe by no means fails.
22. Seafood Paella
Since most individuals trying to find paella are on the lookout for a seafood model, I needed to share this recipe as properly. Whereas the standard Spanish paella from Valencia (above) does not embrace seafood, a number of the nation’s greatest rice dishes most undoubtedly do!
I completely love seafood paella with shrimp and squid, however you will usually discover clams, mussels, and even fish. For my part, an important half is not the seafood you select; it is the best way you cook dinner the rice!
Make It: Get away this traditional seafood paella recipe in your subsequent banquet!
23. Patatas Bravas
A favourite tapa within the bars of each Barcelona and Madrid, this can be a traditional Spanish recipe that pleases everybody!
Patatas bravas are a simple alternative when ordering tapas in Spain, they usually’re fairly straightforward to make at residence too. You possibly can serve them Madrid-style (with solely bravas sauce) or Barcelona-style (with each bravas sauce and alioli). Both means, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable!
Make It: Pair my go-to patatas bravas recipe with my straightforward bravas sauce recipe and alioli recipe.
24. Padrón Peppers
These little fried peppers are addictive—I name them Spanish popcorn! Fortunately, they’re additionally tremendous easy to make (and even to develop, relying on the place you reside).
There is a saying about pimientos de Padrón: “some are scorching and a few should not.” In different phrases, you by no means know in case your subsequent chunk goes to be delicate or spicy. So long as you are ready for the latter, this provides a enjoyable twist to an in any other case easy tapa!
Make It: Bookmark this straightforward Padrón peppers recipe.
25. Arroz con Leche
This was one of many first recipes my mother-in-law shared with me, and it simply is likely to be the perfect Spanish arroz con leche recipe on the web! Antonia is so proud when folks depart her rave evaluations.
The key to her unbelievable recipe is to slowly add the milk over a 15- to 30-minute interval, stirring consistently. This enables the rice to interrupt down slowly and get good and creamy.
Make It: Antonia’s world-famous arroz con leche recipe by no means fails!
26. Lentejas
There’s nothing extra soul-warming than a scorching bowl of Spanish lentejas. This scrumptious stew combines hearty lentils with smoky chorizo and veggies for a nutritious and comforting meal in a single pot.
I perfected my Spanish lentils recipe whereas at culinary faculty in Barcelona. My favourite garnish? Spicy pickled peppers!
Make It: Attempt my favourite Spanish lentil soup recipe—that includes chorizo!
27. Fabada
I like bean stews and soups, and grew up consuming many various Italian-American variations. Fortunately, Spain reigns supreme on this space—and fabada is the king of Spanish bean dishes.
A hearty white bean stew from Asturias, fabada combines chorizo, pork fats (tocino), and blood sausage (morcilla) for the right stick-to-your-ribs winter meal. It does not get rather more protein-packed than this!
You may suppose this dish takes hours to make, however that is not the case! Should you use high-quality beans from a can or jar as a substitute of dry ones, you’ll be able to have this soup prepared in simply half-hour.
Make It: My traditional Spanish fabada recipe will heat you proper up.
28. Rabo de Toro
Whereas we’re as regards to hearty winter meals, I could not depart rabo de toro (braised oxtail or bull tail) off the record. This can be a traditional Spanish dish, and whereas it does take a couple of hours to make (the powerful meat wants time to turn out to be melt-in-your-mouth tender), the precise work concerned is minimal.
Make It: Get my mother-in-law’s recipe for braised bull tail stew.
29. Good Boiled Shrimp
Final however not least is a recipe close to and pricey to my coronary heart: the appetizer for each particular meal at my mother-in-law’s home. Within the south of Spain, gambas cocidas (boiled shrimp) are a delicacy and a preferred tapa. They’re additionally tremendous straightforward to make—this can be a five-minute dish!
Make It: Get my recipe for excellent boiled shrimp—possibly it’s going to turn out to be a convention at your home too!
Spanish Recipes FAQ
Spain has dozens of conventional dishes, however a number of the most typical are tortilla de patatas, pan con tomate, croquetas, gazpacho, and huevos rotos. For dessert, classics like arroz con leche, crema catalana, and flan reign supreme.
Paella may look like the plain reply, however I might argue that the ever-present tortilla de patatas is the dish that really represents Spain. This easy potato omelet is in all places, beloved by Spaniards and vacationers alike, and everybody swears by their very own favourite model.
A number of genuine Spanish dishes are tremendous straightforward to make. Begin with pan con tomate, pimientos de Padrón, or a chilly soup like gazpacho or salmorejo. Different extremely easy specialties embrace gambas cocidas, espinacas con garbanzos, and pisto con huevo.
Spanish meals could be many issues, however it’s virtually all the time based mostly on high-quality recent elements ready with care. Lots of the most iconic Spanish dishes encompass only a few components—potatoes, tomatoes, bread, olive oil, eggs—mixed in easy perfection.
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