To ease our perpetual wanderlust, we’ve been focusing on regional cuisine, letting our taste buds experience different cultures even when we can’t. When we’re in the mood for simple, flavorful cuisine, we think of Spain, known for its seafood and heavy use of olive oil and garlic (our faves!). While not all of these recipes are perfectly authentic, join us in getting inspired by these 28 recipes for your own kitchen journey from the coast to the cities of Spain. ¡Olé!
You may be familiar with Spanish cuisine through one of its most popular offshoots, the tapas bar. It’s a perfect concept really — multiple courses of little appetizers, so you can try lots of different dishes, like fried calamari or bacon-wrapped dates, without getting full. Serve alongside a pitcher of sangria (white or red) for the full experience. If you’re feeling extra fancy, go for a glass of Spanish cava — or use it to make any of our bubbly co*cktails to serve alongside your meal.
Because of Spain’s location along the Iberian Peninsula, many of its national dishes contain seafood. We’ve included a few more traditional ones, like paella, and some only influenced by Spanish cuisine, like our lemon garlic shrimp. If you’re not one for seafood, there’s also a number of vegetarian dishes, like lentil soup or paella verdura, too.
And we can't forget the sweet dishes. We love comfort foods like arroz con leche or flan for breakfast or dessert, and churros as an anytime snack.
For more region-specific ideas, check out our list of Asian, Mexican, Italian, and Greek dishes.
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1
Best-Ever Paella
Paella might seem intimidating, but we promise it's not!
Get the Best-Ever Paella recipe.
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2
Spanish Tortilla
Spanish Tortilla is a delicious and simple vegetarian frittata for any time of day. Ours is made with a genius shortcut: potato chips!
Get the Spanish Tortilla recipe.
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3
Basque Cheesecake
Originally created by La Viña Bar in San Sebastian, Spain, this cheesecake is baked without a crust and at a higher temperature than its American counterpart, resulting in a caramelized outer layer with a light and creamy middle.
Get the Basque Cheesecake recipe.
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4
Gazpacho
Best for cooling off in the heat of late summer, when the tomatoes turn juicy and sweet.
Get the Gazpacho recipe.
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5
Fried Calamari
Calamares Fritos are one of Spain's most loved tapas.
Get the Fried Calamari recipe.
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6
Red Sangria
Our version of this Spanish classic is light and bubbly, due to the addition of seltzer water and the perfect ratio of wine to brandy.
Get the Red Sangria recipe.
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7
Homemade Churros
The churros you find in Spain will typically be coated in sugar, so skip the cinnamon here for a truly authentic experience.
Get the Homemade Churros recipe.
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8
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
The quintessential Spanish tapas appetizer.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
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9
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
These gambas al ajillo make for an easy weeknight dinner or appetizer. Pro move: Grab some crusty bread.
Get the Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe.
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10
Chickpea Stew
Inspired by a pair of delicious tomato-and-spinach-based chickpea stews from Sevilla, Spain, this chickpea stew is humble, hearty, and lovely in its simplicity.
Get the Chickpea Stew recipe.
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11
Best-Ever Flan
Flan never goes out of style.
Get the Best-Ever Flan recipe.
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12
Rice Pudding
You can serve this arroz con leche warm or cold, as breakfast or dessert.
Get the Rice Pudding recipe.
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13
Cheesy Beef Empanadas
While empanadas originate from Galicia, Spain, stuffed pastry can be found on nearly every culture's menu. Once you've got the pastry down, you can pretty much stuff them with anything!
Get the Cheesy Beef Empanadas recipe.
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14
Tomato-Garlic Spanish Rice
Spanish Rice with a little Mexican flair.
Get the Tomato-Garlic Spanish Rice recipe.
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15
Almond Cake
Similar to the Spanish tarta de almendras, this almond cake is lovely as dessert or breakfast with coffee or tea.
Get the Almond Cake recipe.
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16
Romesco Sauce
While this recipe isn't super authentic to the original Catalonian version (which uses a special kind of peppers called nyora), roasted red bell peppers are the next best thing for this nutty, spicy-sweet sauce that's great as a dip or a pasta sauce.
Get the Romesco Sauce recipe.
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17
White Sangria
It's more common in Spain to use red wine for sangria, but this white wine version makes for a more refreshing summer option.
Get the White Sangria recipe.
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18
Mussels with Tomatoes and Garlic
This dish will transport you straight to the Mediterranean seaside.
Get the Mussels with Tomatoes and Garlic recipe.
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19
Seared Scallops
Serve these seared scallops with romesco sauce and crusty bread for the true Spanish tapas experience.
Get the Seared Scallops recipe.
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20
Arroz Con Pollo
This is an easy one-pot meal that doesn't taste like one!
Get the Arroz Con Pollo recipe.
