12 Vegan Spanish Recipes You Need to Try! (2024)

FAQs

What is Spain's national dish? ›

Paella is considered the national dish and originates from Valencia. According to the traditional recipe, paella is prepared with rabbit meat and vegetables. Today, however, there are countless variations: with fish and seafood, with meat and fish or even vegetarian.

From Padron peppers to patatas bravas, and turrón to tapas, Spain knows how to pull out the stops when it comes to delicious food. Spanish food is simple and uses fresh, local ingredients, so it's no wonder dishes like paella and tapas have rightfully put the country on the world foodie map.

Some country-wide staple dishes common throughout Spain include croquetas (croquettes), paella (a rice dish from the Valencian Community), ensaladilla rusa (the local name for the Olivier salad), gazpacho (a vegetable cold soup), and tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette).

Paella: A Spanish Rice Delight

Widely regarded by tourists as Spain's national dish, paella is always a crowd-pleaser and family favorite. While it's now a staple in households and restaurants throughout Spain, the dish originally hails from the country's Valencia region.

Spanish cuisine is not spicy. We have some dishes that are slightly spicy, but that's all. Our food is savory, intense, strong, but no spicy. For a Spaniard, I have a good tolerance for spicy.

Sangría. Sangría is Spain's national drink, so of course it belongs on this list! Spain is famous for it's wine, which is the base of this drink. Lots of fresh fruit and a bit of sugar and cinnamon give this drink a sweet taste that you'll fall in love with at first sip.

Paella (pai. ei. uh) is a classic Spanish rice dish made with rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood cooked and served in one pan.

The large midday meal, called la comida, has several courses and usually includes five or six choices in each. At home, Spaniards do not traditionally eat “fancy” dishes on a daily basis, but still enjoy a soup or pasta dish, salad, meat and/or fish, and a dessert, such as fruit or cheese.

Spaniards eat salads in summer, warm soups in the winter, and omelettes or eggs (typically eaten at dinner) year-round. This is also tapas time, when people are happy to share a meal at a bar surrounded by friends and family.

Can you eat salads in Spain? ›

You can expect to eat a lot of salads containing ingredients like olives, Manchego cheese, beans, lentils and peas – ingredients often cited as being healthy food options – as well as other healthy dishes such as stews and paellas.

Some country-wide staple dishes common throughout Spain include croquetas (croquettes), paella (a rice dish from the Valencian Community), ensaladilla rusa (the local name for the Olivier salad), gazpacho (a vegetable cold soup), and tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette).