10 Best Spanish Dishes You Can Use to Upgrade Your Menu

Spanish cuisine is more than just food—it’s a celebration of culture and history. From the sun-soaked coasts to the mountainous regions, each part of Spain has its own culinary identity, and today, I’ll be looking at the ten best Spanish dishes worth your time. 

Over the centuries, Spanish dishes have been shaped by influences from the Moors, Romans, and even the Americas. With every bite, you travel through time, where tradition and innovation meet on your plate. Like Greek cuisine, a lot of Spanish dishes use olive oil.

Aside from their rich history, Spanish dishes are also known for being nutritious and flavorful. Whether diving into a seafood paella packed with protein or indulging in the hearty Fabada, there’s always something for your taste buds and body.

Ready to dig in? Let’s get started.

Quick Overview of the Best Spanish Dishes

Paella

Key Ingredients

• Rice
• Saffron
• Seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid)
• Chicken
• Rabbit
• Vegetables 

Paella is arguably Spain’s most famous dish. Originating from the Valencia region, this flavorful rice dish is a festival of seafood and meats. Paella is satisfying, nutritious, and packed with protein from chicken, rabbit, and seafood. Saffron gives it that distinct golden hue and a subtle earthy flavor. Paella is typically enjoyed during celebrations and gatherings, making it the perfect dish to share with loved ones.

Cooking Paella requires patience. The rice is sautéed in olive oil before simmering in a rich broth flavored with saffron and spices. Meat and seafood are added in stages to ensure everything is cooked just right. This dish rewards slow cooking with layers of flavor.

Patatas Bravas

Key Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Spicy tomato sauce
• Aioli

Patatas Bravas is Spain’s answer to comfort food. Crispy fried potatoes are smothered in a spicy tomato sauce and often paired with aioli for a cool contrast. While it may not be the healthiest dish on this list, it’s undeniably satisfying. This dish is commonly served as a tapa, making it a popular choice at bars and social gatherings.

To make Patatas Bravas, the potatoes are first fried until golden and crispy. The tomato sauce, made with paprika, garlic, and vinegar, is cooked separately and poured over the potatoes. A dollop of aioli on the side completes the dish.

Croquetas de Jamón

Key Ingredients

• Ham
• Béchamel sauce
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs

Croquetas de Jamón are bite-sized pieces of heaven. These creamy ham croquettes are a staple in Spanish cuisine, often served as tapas. They’re both filling and indulgent, with protein from the ham and a crispy breadcrumb exterior. Croquetas are enjoyed almost any time—whether as a snack, appetizer, or part of a tapas spread with friends.

A thick béchamel sauce is prepared and mixed with finely chopped ham to make them. The mixture is then chilled, shaped into small logs or balls, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried to golden perfection.

Tortilla Española

Key Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Eggs
• Onions
• Olive oil

Tortilla Española, or Spanish omelet, is a simple yet satisfying dish. Made with just a few ingredients, it’s packed with protein and carbs. It’s a popular dish for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast.

The cooking process involves slowly frying the potatoes and onions in olive oil until soft. Then, beaten eggs are added, and the mixture is cooked until firm but slightly runny. It’s then flipped to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Turrón

Key Ingredients

• Almonds
• Honey
• Sugar
• Egg whites

Turrón is a traditional Spanish sweet that’s especially popular during Christmas. This nougat treat is made from almonds, honey, sugar, and egg whites. It’s rich in protein from the almonds and offers a satisfying crunch. Turrón can be found in different textures, from hard and brittle to soft and chewy, making it a versatile dessert.

Making Turrón involves cooking the honey and sugar until thick, then mixing in whipped egg whites for a smooth texture. The almonds are added last, and the mixture is spread out to cool and harden.

Gazpacho

Key Ingredients

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Bell peppers
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Vinegar

Gazpacho is a refreshing cold soup that’s perfect for hot summer days. Made with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, it’s light and packed with vitamins. This Andalusian dish is often enjoyed as a starter or a light lunch. It’s also a great way to stay hydrated and healthy during warm weather.

To prepare gazpacho, the vegetables are blended with olive oil, vinegar, and some bread to give it texture. After chilling in the fridge, it’s ready to be served cold, often garnished with diced veggies or croutons.

Pulpo Gallego

Key Ingredients

• Octopus
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• Potatoes

Pulpo Gallego, or Galician-style octopus, is a delicacy from the Galicia region in northwest Spain. This dish showcases tender octopus seasoned with olive oil and paprika, served atop boiled potatoes. Octopus is a lean protein, making this dish nutritious and light. Pulpo Gallego is often served at fairs and festivals, where it’s enjoyed with a glass of local wine.

Cooking Pulpo Gallego requires skill. The octopus is boiled until tender, then sliced and drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika. Simple yet delicious.

Morcilla

Key Ingredients

• Pork blood
• Rice
• Onions
• Spices 

Morcilla is Spain’s version of blood sausage, and it’s not for the faint-hearted. Made from pork blood, rice, onions, and spices, this sausage is rich and flavorful. Morcilla is often part of a tapas spread or added to stews and soups. Despite its unusual main ingredient, it’s a good source of iron and protein, making it a hearty and nutritious choice.

The preparation involves cooking the blood with the rice, onions, and spices before stuffing the mixture into sausage casings. Depending on the region, it’s then boiled or grilled.

Migas

Key Ingredients

• Stale bread
• Chorizo
• Garlic
• Olive oil

Migas is a humble dish that turns stale bread into something extraordinary. It’s popular in rural Spain and consists of bread crumbs fried with chorizo, garlic, and olive oil. It’s a hearty dish often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. Despite its simplicity, Migas is packed with flavor, and adding chorizo gives it a satisfying protein boost.

To make Migas, stale bread is soaked in water and then fried with garlic and chorizo until crispy. It’s a rustic dish that uses simple ingredients to create something delicious.

Fabada

Key Ingredients

• White beans
• Chorizo
• Morcilla
• Pancetta
• Garlic

Fabada is one of the best Spanish dishes and it entails a bean stew from the Asturias region in northern Spain. This dish is made with white beans, chorizo, morcilla, and pancetta, making it a protein-packed meal. Fabada is traditionally enjoyed during the colder months, often as a main dish for lunch. It’s the meal that warms you up from the inside out.

The cooking process is slow and steady. The beans are soaked overnight, then simmered with the meat and garlic for several hours until everything is tender and flavorful. Fabada is comfort food at its finest.

And there you have it—everyone needs to try the ten best Spanish dishes. Spanish cuisine offers something for every palate, whether indulging in a rich Fabada or cooling off with a bowl of Gazpacho. So, grab your fork and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure through Spain!