10+ Español Recipes to Savor and Share

Exploring Spanish recipes opens the door to a vibrant and rich culinary tradition. These dishes are known for their bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and diverse regional influences. From tapas to paellas, there is a variety of options to suit any taste.

As you dive into these delightful recipes, you’ll find that each dish tells a unique story about the culture and history of Spain. Embracing these recipes can enhance your cooking skills and bring a taste of Spain right to your kitchen.

1) Tortilla Española

Tortilla Española is a classic Spanish dish that combines eggs, potatoes, and onions. It’s simple to make and delicious to eat, making it a favorite for many.

To start, you will need a few key ingredients. Thinly sliced potatoes are gently cooked in olive oil until tender. Then, mix in sautéed onions and beaten eggs.

Cook the mixture in a skillet until it sets. Once it’s golden on the outside, flip it to cook the other side. You can serve it warm or at room temperature for a delightful snack or meal.

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add potatoes and onions, cooking until soft.
3. Beat the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
4. Mix the potatoes and onions into the eggs.
5. Pour the mixture back into the skillet.
6. Cook until the edges start to set, then flip to cook the other side.
7. Serve warm or at room temperature.

2) Paella Valenciana

Paella Valenciana is a traditional Spanish dish from the Valencia region. It combines flavors from meat, rice, and fresh vegetables, making it a delightful meal. You can make it using chicken, rabbit, and a mix of spices for a rich taste.

To prepare this dish, you will need a wide, shallow pan called a paella pan. Start by heating olive oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken and rabbit pieces until they are golden brown.

Next, stir in rice and saffron to give the dish its signature flavor and color. Add water and let everything cook until the rice absorbs the liquid and becomes tender.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 rabbit, cut into pieces
• 1 tsp saffron
• Vegetables of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in the paella pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken and rabbit; cook until browned.
3. Stir in rice and saffron.
4. Pour in water and season.
5. Cook until rice is tender.

3) Patatas Bravas

Patatas bravas are a tasty Spanish tapa. These crispy fried potatoes are known for their bold flavors and spicy sauce. They are perfect as a snack or appetizer.

To start, you will want to cut your potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Fry them until they are crispy and golden brown. This gives them a satisfying crunch.

The sauce is what makes patatas bravas special. It is usually a spicy red sauce made with ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and chili. This sauce adds a kick to the potatoes and brings the dish to life.

Serve the potatoes hot, drizzled with the sauce. You can also add some aioli for extra flavor. Enjoy your homemade patatas bravas!

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes
• Olive oil for frying
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Chili flakes to taste
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and chop the potatoes into cubes.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
3. Fry the potatoes until golden and crispy.
4. In a separate pot, combine tomato sauce, garlic, and chili flakes.
5. Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes.
6. Drain the potatoes and sprinkle with salt.
7. Serve with the sauce drizzled on top.

4) Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a refreshing cold soup, perfect for hot days. It comes from Spain and is made with fresh vegetables. The main ingredients include ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.

To make it, you blend all the vegetables until smooth. You can add olive oil and vinegar for extra flavor. Serve it chilled for the best taste.

Ingredients

• 8 ripe tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and chop all the vegetables into pieces.
2. Place them in a blender or food processor.
3. Add olive oil, vinegar, and salt.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
6. Serve cold. Enjoy!

5) Churros with Chocolate

Churros with chocolate is a popular Spanish treat that you can enjoy any time. These sweet, fried dough sticks are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are best served warm, often with a rich chocolate dip.

To make churros, you start with a simple dough made of water, flour, salt, butter, and eggs. After mixing, you pipe the dough into hot oil until golden brown.

For the chocolate sauce, melt dark chocolate and mix it with milk for a thick and creamy texture. This combination makes for a delightful dessert or snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• Oil for frying
• 1 cup dark chocolate
• 1 cup milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and butter in a saucepan.
2. Add flour and salt, stirring until combined.
3. Let the mixture cool slightly, then beat in eggs.
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Pipe dough into hot oil and fry until golden.
6. Melt chocolate with milk in a separate saucepan, stirring until smooth.

6) Albóndigas (Spanish Meatballs)

Albóndigas are traditional Spanish meatballs that are both tasty and comforting. They are usually made with a mix of ground meat, spices, and herbs. You can enjoy them in a rich sauce or as a tapa.

You will often find these meatballs simmering in a delicious tomato sauce. They are perfect for sharing with friends or family. Serve them with bread or over rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 1 pound (450 g) ground pork
• 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
• 1 egg
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk.
3. In another bowl, combine ground meats, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Add soaked breadcrumbs and egg to the meat mixture and mix well.
5. Form into small balls.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until cooked through.
7. Serve with your sauce of choice.

7) Fabada Asturiana

Fabada Asturiana is a traditional Spanish dish from the Asturias region. It’s a hearty bean stew rich in flavor and packed with various meats. This dish is perfect for chilly days or after long outdoor activities.

You will need large white beans, often called fabes. The stew is made with chorizo, blood sausage, and bacon. These ingredients give the dish its robust taste.

To prepare, you will cook the beans slowly along with the meats and spices. This method allows all the flavors to blend beautifully.

Ingredients

• ½ pound large white beans (fabes)
• 2 chorizos
• 2 blood sausages (morcilla)
• ¼ pound slab bacon
• 1 quart chicken stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the beans overnight.
2. In a large pot, add the soaked beans and cover with chicken stock.
3. Add chorizos, blood sausages, and bacon.
4. Simmer for about 2 hours on low heat until beans are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.

8) Gambas al Ajillo

Gambas al Ajillo, or Spanish garlic shrimp, is a fantastic dish that you can prepare in just a few minutes. This dish features succulent shrimp cooked in olive oil with a lot of garlic and a hint of spice.

The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You can adjust the garlic and chili to suit your taste. It’s perfect as a tapa or a delicious main course.

Ingredients

• 500g large prawns, peeled and deveined
• 8 large cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 120ml extra virgin olive oil
• A pinch of red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced garlic and cook until golden, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the prawns and red pepper flakes.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then garnish with parsley before serving.

9) Croquetas de Jamón

Croquetas de Jamón are a delicious and classic Spanish dish. These tasty treats are made with a creamy béchamel sauce mixed with jamón serrano, all coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown.

To make Croquetas de Jamón, you start by preparing the filling. The combination of butter, flour, milk, and ham creates a rich and flavorful base. Once cooled, you shape the mixture into small balls or sticks.

After that, you coat each piece in breadcrumbs for a crispy texture. Fry them in hot oil until they’re perfectly golden. Serve them warm as a delightful snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

• 50 g butter
• 70 g jamón serrano
• 800 ml full-fat milk
• 60 g all-purpose flour
• Bread crumbs for coating
• Olive oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add flour and cook for a few minutes.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thick.
4. Stir in the diced ham and let it cool.
5. Shape the mixture into small balls or sticks.
6. Roll each croquette in breadcrumbs.
7. Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C).
8. Fry croquettes until golden brown.
9. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

10) Pisto Manchego

Pisto Manchego is a delicious Spanish dish that’s perfect for any meal. It’s similar to ratatouille and features a mix of fresh vegetables. Typically, you will find tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and eggplant in this dish.

You can serve Pisto Manchego warm or at room temperature. It’s often enjoyed as a main dish, or as a tasty starter. A fried egg on top adds a nice touch and makes it even more filling.

This dish is easy to prepare and great for sharing with family and friends. The combination of flavors makes it a favorite in Spanish kitchens.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small Spanish onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 small zucchini, diced
• 1 small eggplant, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fried eggs for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
3. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the bell pepper, zucchini, and eggplant.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until the vegetables are tender.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with a fried egg if desired.