Top 20+ typical Spanish dishes you must try!

Mediterranean diet

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Spanish cuisine is part of the Mediterranean diet where healthy and diverse dishes are full of vegetables and, of course, olive oil. Let's discover some of them!

Image: Juan Gómez / Unsplash

Paella

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

If there is a dish that everybody outside of Spain knows, it is paella. Originally from the city of Valencia, the ingredients usually are rice, chicken or rabbit meat, different kinds of local beans, and tomato sauce. However, its recipe is an ongoing discussion depending on which part of Spain you are in.

Image: Miguel Ibars / Pixabay

Spanish soup or Cocido

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Depending on the region, you will be tasting different versions of this stew. Usually, you will have this meal divided into three courses: first the soup, then the chickpeas with the rest of the vegetables (carrots and potatoes), and finally, the meat with chorizo and other heavy-flavored meat products.

Gazpacho and salmorejo

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

The preferred choice for the hottest months in Spain is these two types of cold tomato soups that are originally from the southern region of the country, Andalusia. Whilst Salmorejo is a mix of tomato, bread, garlic, and olive oil with a thicker consistency, the Gazpacho is just a cold soup made out of cucumber, pepper, tomato, and garlic.

Image: Ирина Кудрявцева / Pixabay

Tortilla de patata

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

This is another classic in Spanish lunch, drinks or dinner. This special omelet with potatoes has really simple ingredients, but the way you cook it is an eternal debate in Spanish society: With or without onions? More or less cooked? Either way, it's always delicious.

Pisto

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Although you can find this dish anywhere in Spain, it's more traditional in the central region of the country. For this simple but warming meal, you just have to slowly fry tomatoes, peppers, and any kind of vegetables you want to throw in.

Croquettes

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Although this is something you can find in other European countries, the special Spanish touch is mind-blowing. This bechamel dough that is fried in hot olive oil can be made with Spanish Iberic ham, chicken, or even cod.

Image: The Castlebar / Pexels

Migas

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Migas — which literally means breadcrumbs — is a dish traditionally eaten by shepherds when they were moving their cattle. The recipe is simple: You just need breadcrumbs or stale bread soaked in milk mixed with chopped meat and vegetables. Then you have to stir it up together with water, paprika, and olive oil.

"Bravas" and alioli potatoes

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Fried potatoes are universal, but the Spanish spin deserves a try. You just cube up some potatoes and drizzle some spicy tomato sauce called "brava" and aioli on top. Simply amazing.

Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Potatoes are a must in almost every country in Europe and are very useful to use in stews. In this case, this potato dish comes from the Spanish region of La Rioja. It is served in a pot with chorizo and dried peppers.

Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

To continue exploring the different potato dishes of Spanish cuisine, we need to travel to the Canary Islands. There, these small local potatoes are boiled with the skin and served with just salt and a typical Canary sauce made out of peppers, called "mojo".

Bacalao al pil pil

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

This spicy olive oil-cooked cod is very typical of the Basque Country. The cod is slowly cooked in the garlic and chili oil and melts in your mouth when you eat it.

Image: Still from the RTVE show 'Cocina Abierta'.

Fried fish

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

And going straight to the south shore of the country, we have fried fish. You will find a variety of sorts of fish that are coated with flour and then deep-fried in olive oil.

Image: Pirkko Seitsenpiste / Pixabay

Spanish ham

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Spain has some of the most delicious Iberic meat products that are usually used as an appetizer, on a sandwich, and in all sorts of dishes. But the one product that stands out among all of them is the Spanish Iberic ham which, depending on its origin, has different qualities and names.

Pan tumaca

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

This is a typical appetizer of Catalonian cuisine which consists of toasted bread with a tomato spread, olive oil, and salt (and even a bit of garlic). This meal is usually consumed as a breakfast and you can find it in every corner of Spain. It can also be enhanced with a bit of Spanish ham on top.

Meats

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

But don't get fooled, in Spain, you can also enjoy great meat: Cow, pig, rabbit, and lamb meat are part of many different recipes.

Churros

Mediterranean diet, Spanish soup or Cocido, Gazpacho and salmorejo, Tortilla de patata, Croquettes, "Bravas" and alioli potatoes, Potato dish: Patatas a la riojana, Potato dish: Papas arrugadas con mojo picón, Bacalao al pil pil, Fried fish, Spanish ham, Pan tumaca

Desserts are great in Spain too. For example, while churros are a world-famous sweet dish, in Spain they offer them in different varieties and serve them with hot chocolate.

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