Last Updated on November 23, 2021 by Nellie Huang
Looking for Spanish dinner ideas? Here are 30 of the best Spanish recipes including paella, churros and traditional tapas recipes from Spain.
As you probably know by now, Spain is my second home. My husband is Spanish and we lived in Spain for around 8 years. So I might be biased, but I think Spain has the best food in the world.
Spanish cuisine is vibrant and diverse, rich in culture and history. Cooking methods in Spain are simple — allowing flavors of the fresh ingredients and condiments to shine through. Each region also has its own specialties, creating plenty of variety and distinctive flavors in one country.
After sharing some of the most popular Spanish food with you last week, I have been inspired to show you how to prepare them. But since I’m not a food expert, I enlisted the help of the real experts: food bloggers who definitely know what they’re talking about.
Here are 30 easy, authentic Spanish recipes that you can make at home!
Table of Contents
- 30 Recipes from Spain
- Recipes from Spain: Typical Spanish Breakfast
- Tostada con Tomate (Toast with Tomatoes)
- Churros con Chocolate (Dough Fritters with Chocolate Sauce)
- Torrijas (Sweet Bread)
- Recipes from Spain: Traditional Spanish Tapas
- Tortilla de Patatas (Potato Omelette)
- Patatas Bravas (Fried Potatoes with Spicy Sauce)
- Croquetas de Jamón Serrano (Croquettes)
- Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup)
- Ajo Blanco (Cold Garlic Almond Soup)
- Pimientos de Padron (Peppers)
- Gambas Al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
- Espinacas Con Garbanzos (Spinach And Chickpeas)
- Pinchos Morunos (Grilled Meat Skewers)
- Habas Con Jamon (Broad Beans with Ham)
- Spanish Recipes: Seafood Dishes
- Seafood Paella (Rice)
- Fideua (Paella with Pasta)
- Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Salt Cod Fish Stew)
- Romesco de Peix (Catalan Fish Stew)
- Spanish Recipes: Meat Dishes
- Rabo de Toro (Ox Tail Stew)
- Cocido Madrileño (Madrid Stew)
- Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
- Fabada Asturiana (White Bean Stew)
- Migas Con Chorizo (Breadcrumbs with Sausage)
- Chilindrón (Beef Stew Recipe)
- Libritos de Lomo (Pork Schnitzels)
- Recipes from Spain: Traditional Spanish Desserts
- Spanish Flan (Custard Pudding)
- Crema Catalana
- Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)
- Tarta de Santiago (Almond Cake)
- Recipes from Spain: Typical Spanish Drinks
- Classic Sangria
- Spanish Horchata
30 Recipes from Spain
Recipes from Spain: Typical Spanish Breakfast
Tostada con Tomate (Toast with Tomatoes)
One of the most traditional Spanish dishes for breakfast is a tostada, basically a slice of toasted baguette bread. The Spanish usually eat their tostada with olive oil or grated tomato (and topped with Spanish ham if they’re fancy!).
We made this at home almost everyday when we lived in Spain. Originally from Catalonia, the tostada is called Pa amb tomàquet in Barcelona, Valencia and the Balearic islands.
Churros con Chocolate (Dough Fritters with Chocolate Sauce)
Churros with chocolate sauce are a very popular snack in Spain. These deep-fried pastries are sometimes referred to as Spanish doughnuts. Churros are very crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and smell heavenly.
Churros are very easy to make and this recipe from Spain is simple to follow. All you need to do is throw all the ingredients except the flour into a pot. When they come to the boil, add the flour, mix in and it’s ready!
Torrijas (Sweet Bread)
Torrijas have long been part of the Spanish cuisine. While traditionally eaten on specific religious celebrations, these sweet delights have found their way into breakfast tables and regular menus.
Traditionally, torrijas are made of a slice of stale bread soaked in milk that is flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and the likes. It is then re-soaked in a bowl of beaten egg before being fried in olive oil.
Recipes from Spain: Traditional Spanish Tapas
Tortilla de Patatas (Potato Omelette)
Tortilla de Patatas or Tortilla Española is definitely one of the most popular Spanish tapas among both locals and tourists. The Spanish Omelette is an egg and potato dish that is cooked in a skillet.
It might sound pretty basic and simple to make, but making a good Spanish Omelette isn’t quite as easy as you think. The best ones are crispy on the outside and runny on the inside. This is one of the best Spanish recipes I've found on the internet.
Patatas Bravas (Fried Potatoes with Spicy Sauce)
Patatas Bravas are one of the most popular street foods and traditional tapas in Spain. It is a simple dish of white potatoes fried in oil and drizzled with a spicy sauce.
In this healthy version of the Spanish recipe, potatoes are baked instead of fried and then topped with a homemade aioli and tomato sauce! The three components together with a bit of lemon juice is decadent.
Croquetas de Jamón Serrano (Croquettes)
Every Spaniard swears that their mother makes the best croquettes. These creamy fritters are a staple of the Spanish tapas scene, and you’ll find them on the menu in almost every tapas bar and restaurant in Spain.
They come with different fillings, but the most popular ones are croquetas de jamón (cured ham croquettes). These are small, lightly breaded and fried bechamel fritters that have tiny bits of delicious Spanish cured ham in them.
Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup)
Gazpacho is a famous dish from the Andalucía province of southern Spain, where I used to live. It is a soup made of raw, blended vegetables, like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, and garlic.
It is drank cold, and this is a popular dish throughout Spain during the sizzling hot summers! Try this simple authentic Spanish recipe for a summer respite.
Ajo Blanco (Cold Garlic Almond Soup)
One of the most unique dishes in Spain, the Ajo Blanco is a close relative of the Gazpacho. Originally from Andalusia in southern Spain, the dish itself has a storied history stretching back centuries.
Every year in early September, the town of Almachar near Malaga holds a festival in celebration of this soup. This ajo blanco recipe is really easy to make and most of its ingredients are easy to find anywhere in the world.
Pimientos de Padron (Peppers)
Pimientos de Padron takes its name from the Spanish town of Padrón, located in the Coruna province of northern Spain. Locals have been growing these little peppers for ages. Over time the cultivation has spread to southern Spain as well, and they are widely grown in Mexico and some southern American states.
Eating pimientos de Padron is like playing the Russian roulette, as nobody knows if a pepper is hot or mild. Around one out of every ten is rather hot and spicy. This is an easy Spanish recipe that requires only 5 minutes to cook!
Gambas Al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) is one of my favorite Spanish dishes and it is hugely popular in Spain. It is often served as a traditional Spanish tapa (small dishes), designed to be shared with friends. The smell of garlic is amazing and the sizzling sound even more enticing.
The recipe for Gambas al Ajillo varies depending on the region. For example, in Seville they are prepared with a favorite local sherry, Manzanilla. Other areas favor brandy or sweep paprika, different types of hot peppers (or none) and fresh lemon juice.
Espinacas Con Garbanzos (Spinach And Chickpeas)
Espinacas con garbanzos are a traditional Spanish tapa hailing from Seville, and are popular during the chilly winter months. But the dish’s history goes far beyond Andalusia.
Spinach originates from Ancient Persia (modern Iran). Arab traders got their hands on it and eventually introduced it to the Mediterranean.
This authentic Spanish recipe is really simple and perfect for vegans. You can serve it as a main course or as part of a traditional Spanish tapas spread.
Pinchos Morunos (Grilled Meat Skewers)
These little bite-sized pork tenderloin served in skewers are a fun and tasty addition to a tapas party. Pinchos are simple bites found commonly in the northern provinces of Spain, such as the Basque Country and Castilla y Leon.
Pincho Moruno is one of the best Spanish recipes for a summer barbecue. It simply involves grilling small chunks of pork tenderloin spiced with paprika and cumin.
Habas Con Jamon (Broad Beans with Ham)
Originating from Granada (where I lived!), this is a simple but delicious dish best made with fresh broad beans and mountain-cured Serrano ham. Sometimes it is topped with a runny fried egg, with the yolk spilling over the beans. My mother-in-law used to make this often at home and it is one of my favorite home-cooked Spanish dishes.
Spanish Recipes: Seafood Dishes
Seafood Paella (Rice)
Mention Spanish cuisine and most people would think of paella. The national dish of Spain is well known all over the world, and is definitely the number one most popular Spanish food.
The paella is originally from Valencia, but is popular all over the country these days. Seafood paella is a variation of this famous dish, and it is one of the most delicious one in our opinion.
This easy authentic Spanish recipe is surprisingly easy to make, and you can easily remove one or two of the seafood ingredients.
Fideua (Paella with Pasta)
Another of my personal favorite Spanish dish, Fideua is essentially paella made with pasta instead of rice. Like paella it should be cooked in a big paella pan. The best way to cook paella is outside on an open fire.
However, this easy Spanish recipe works just fine in a normal frying pan if you're cooking for two. This recipe is remarkably delicious, but it’s also quick. It only takes 20 minutes including prep time to whip up this amazing dish.
Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Salt Cod Fish Stew)
Bacalao a la Vizcaina is a delicious salt cod dish from the Basque Country of Spain, that’s popular throughout Latin America. Although this bacalao seco (dry salt cod fish) dish is most popular on Christmas Eve and at Easter, you can enjoy it any time of the year.
This Spanish dinner recipe features bacalao seco (dry salt cod fish) in batter bathed in a savory tomato sauce. It gets loads of personality from the mix of olives, red pepper, potato and herbs.
Romesco de Peix (Catalan Fish Stew)
Originally from the Catalunya province of Spain, the Catalan fish stew is a wonderful combination of fishiness, tomato and the smooth earthiness and aroma from the nut flours and the herbs. It is warmly comforting but also not too heavy.
The dish is also sometimes known as a romescada, the Spanish translation. The romesco sauce comes from Catalunya, and it is delicious mix of peppers, hazelnuts, almonds and garlic, amongst other things.
Spanish Recipes: Meat Dishes
Rabo de Toro (Ox Tail Stew)
One of the most common Spanish main courses found in restaurants is the Rabo de Toro or bull’s tail stew.
Rabo de toro was originally developed so as not to waste any part of the bull killed in the bullfighting ring. Hence the dish is most common in southern Spain, home of traditional bullfighting.
This recipe from Spain is authentic and requires lots of patience and time. But rest assured the stew will turn out amazing, with a thick garlicky sauce and tender fall-off-the-bone meat.
Cocido Madrileño (Madrid Stew)
Cocidos, or stews, are a longstanding tradition in Spain and are especially eaten in winter. Each region in Spain produces its own version