Spanish Tapas

A great advantage of Spanish cuisine is the possibility of innovating without  compromising the main gastronomic pillars of its tradition.This is possible thanks to a  culture built on union and local ingredients, which values the quality of Spanish food at  the center of relationships. This is the culture of tapas and pinchos (in Basque pintxos),  the famous Spanish snacks. 

Even with internationally famous dishes such as Paella Valenciana, Spanish appetizers  represent the diversity of Spanish cuisine and make room for infinite varieties of  portions without losing their essence. 

There are so many different tapas that it´s impossible to predict what you’ll find at a  spanish bar or restaurant. However, some tapas are more popular then others, so its  very possible that you’ll find them almost anywhere.

Here are some of the best spanish tapas.

 Spanish Tapas / Tortilla Española

This simple but delicious tapa is often referred to as Spain’s national dish. A traditional  Spanish omelet filled with potatoes. 

A few ingredients come together in the dish, with crispy egg forming a flaky crust that  binds a filling of potato, onion, and spices.

Spanish Tapas / Jamón Ibérico

This Spanish cured ham gets its name from the peninsula where the black Iberian pig lives. It’s a classic tapa, traditionally made from pigs that feed on olives, acorns, and chestnuts for their entire adult lives. Spanish artisans cure their ham for at least twelve months. Jamón ibérico has a delicious, rich taste and smooth texture.

 Spanish Tapas / Patatas Bravas

Patatas bravas are like the French fries of tapas, except they’re cut into thick sections  and fried in olive oil until the edges turn deep brown and crispy. 

An excellent helping of patatas bravas will be crisped on the outside and soft on the  inside. Depending on where you order this dish, your sauces may vary.

 Spanish Tapas / Croquetas

These delicious breaded fritters come with a variety of ingredients, from vegetables to shellfish to cheeses. With a crispy fried shell that surrounds a creamy filling, croquetas are a perfect tapa for any occasion. Croquetas de patatas y jamón are a traditional croqueta ( they´re basically delicious deep-fried balls of mashed potatoes and cured ham. )

 Spanish Tapas / Gambas al Ajillo

A classic dish at Spanish restaurants, it involves prawns sauteed quickly in sizzling olive oil. Garlic, chili peppers, and peppercorn sauce will give the dish a lightly spiced flavor. It’s best enjoyed spread over a piece of toast, which soaks up the oily sauce and adds crunch to the texture of the prawns.

Spanish Tapas / Chorizo al Vino

This smoky, savory dish is highly well-known for a reason. The sausage infused with paprika and garlic takes on an extra-rich flavor by braising in vino, or Spanish red wine.

Spanish Tapas / Pimientos de Padrón

The perfect tapas for vegetarians. If you’re going to try Pimientos de Padrón be sure  you have a tolerance for lots of spice. These small green peppers come from Galicia,  in the Northern region of Spain. Pimientos de Padrón is typically fried in olive oil and  

seasoned with plenty of sea salt. They don’t need extra spice with all the flavor they  pack. Eat these tapas whole and expect a few very spicy surprises throughout the dish.

Spanish Tapas / Ensaladilla Rusa

While ensaladilla Russa is prevalent in many European and Slavic regions, this salad is an excellent complement to tapas with Spanish origins. Made with a base of mayonnaise, egg, potato, and carrots, ensaladilla is a creamy and refreshing delight. Some ensaladillas will have tuna, peas, or fresh parsley.

Spanish Tapas / Pimientos Piquillos Relleno de Bacalao

Small red piquillos are sturdy enough to hold a filling and cook without breaking. Hence, pimientos piquillos relleno de bacalao became a widely loved dish. Piquillos can be stuffed with almost anything, but the most traditional filling is cod. The spicy peppers roast until the skin is crisped, while the inside filling of cod, vegetables, and spices stays tender and flavorful.

Spanish Tapas / Manchego Cheese

Spain is famous for its rich, carefully aged cheeses, which are a staple ingredient in manydishes. Manchego, a sheep’s cheese from the Castilla region of central Spain, has a delicious buttery texture with a sweet flavor.

Spanish Tapas / Almejas a la Marinera

Almejas a la marinara is a warm, rich dish made of briny clams swimming in spicy sauce.It’s an old Galician recipe that remains popular in modern restaurants all around Spain. The best way to enjoy almejas a la marinara is out of a traditional clay pot. The steamed clams can be eaten cold, but they’re best served hot.

Spanish Tapas / Angulas al Ajillo

This dish comes from the Basque region, where it was once a typical fisherman’s meal. Today, it’s one of the best Spanish tapas. For this spicy, smoky dish, you’ll enjoy your angulas fried with olive oil, chili pepper, and garlic. Angulas al ajillo might appear on top of a salad.

Spanish Tapas / Chorizo a la Sidra

Chorizo appears in multiple forms on a restaurant menu. Chorizo a la Sidra or sausage with cider, is Spanish spiced meat braised in cider. You’ll most likely find this chorizo dish in the Andalusia region of Spain. It comes together with just three ingredients: charcuterie fried in olive oil, then simmered in cider until it takes on the sweet, spicy flavors of the liquid.

Spanish Tapas / Gambas a l a Plancha

For this tapa, whole unpeeled shrimps are put on the grill using just olive oil and salt until the shells have browned and crisped. After cooking, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice its added, and it’s ready to serve. Gambas a la plancha are best enjoyed with a cold beverage, like a beer or chilled sherry.

Spanish Tapas / Boquerones en Vinagre

Boquerones en vinagre, or anchovies in vinegar. You´ll find anchovies marinated until tender with a slight kick from the vinegar paired with the flavor of garlic.

Spanish Tapas / Empanadas

The Spanish word for this finger food comes from “enbreaded,” meaning it’s made of different fillings wrapped in crispy bread. You can find recipes of empanadas in cookbooks dating back to the 16th century. The most traditional empanada you can snack on in Spain is the empanada gallega, which contains sofrito and tuna.

Now that you know these delicious spanish tapas, maybe it's time for you to try them out. you won't be disappointed!