Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Our Best Spanish Recipes

Our Best Spanish Recipes

January 12, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson
Traditional paella, grilled gazpacho, and potato omelets—it doesn't get more Spanish than this. 
Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish-Style Roasted Potatoes

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spanish-Style Roasted Potatoes

Paprika, fresh oregano, and olives turn everyday roasted potatoes into a spectacular side. Serve with a chorizo-flecked frittata or pan-grilled steak or chicken.

1 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Flavors of Spain

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Paella with Poblanos, Corn, and Clams

Bring the rich flavors of Spain into your own kitchen with this diverse roundup of traditional and modern regional dishes. From chicken paella to tomato gazpacho, we've selected recipes that embody the essence of a country known for its unique cuisine. 

In our first paella, it's important to remember that the one part of this classic dish that should never change is the socarrat—the crisp browned rice on the bottom of the pan. The crust won't form until all of the liquid from the clams and the tomatoes has boiled off, so be patient with that last step; it's worth it.

2 of 17

3 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet

Say hello to next-level breakfast for dinner. Inspired by a traditional crispy, potato-studded Spanish tortilla, our quick-fix fluffy omelet is topped with potato chips for a touch of crunch.

3 of 17

Advertisement

4 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Grilled Gazpacho

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Grilled Gazpacho

Grilling adds a smoky dimension to Spain's favorite summertime soup. The trick is to grill the veggies over a screaming-hot fire, just long enough to char the exterior while leaving the vegetables raw in the center.

4 of 17

5 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegetable Paella

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Vegetable Paella

"Paella may sound like something fancy, but it is a humble dish, made from ingredients that are fresh and healthy," says star chef José Andrés, whose restaurants in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and California helped spark America's celebration of Spanish cuisine. The classic Spanish rice dish is a crowd-pleaser in his celebrated restaurants and at home. The heat for this paella starts high and reduced gradually, making the rice perfectly al dente and then crisping it at the bottom.

5 of 17

6 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

One-Hour Spanish Chickpea Soup

Credit: Photo: Jamie Chung
View Recipe: One-Hour Spanish Chickpea Soup

Dried chickpeas are typically soaked overnight and then simmered for up to two and a half hours to become tender. These, though, go into the pressure cooker dry and come out tender in just one hour! Use high-quality, cured Spanish chorizo (and not the fresh or raw Mexican version) for the best flavor and texture in this earthy, satisfying soup.

6 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish Pork with Apple-Citrus Salsa

Credit: Photo: Nina Choi
View Recipe: Spanish Pork with Apple-Citrus Salsa

Pimenton is a Spanish paprika made from peppers that have been slowly smoked and dried over oak fires. If pimenton is not available, use Spanish smoked paprika. Garnish this smoky pork with lime wedges and cilantro leaves, if desired.

7 of 17

8 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish Chicken and Rice with Saffron Cream

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick
View Recipe: Spanish Chicken and Rice with Saffron Cream

This rich, creamy twist on traditional chicken paella gets an alluring Spanish accent from smoky cured chorizo and the unmistakable fragrance and flavor of saffron.

8 of 17

9 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gazpacho with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: Gazpacho with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp

This delicious take on cold Spanish soup utilizes two kinds of tomato and Vidalia onion for loads of flavor.

9 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tortilla Española

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Tortilla Española

Unlike a fluffy French omelet, this Spanish classic traditionally includes olive oil and cooked potato with some egg. Shaking the pan helps prevent the omelet from sticking while allowing the egg and potato mixture to cook together.

10 of 17

11 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cucumber Gazpacho with Toasted Rye Croutons

View Recipe: Cucumber Gazpacho with Toasted Rye Croutons

Need this soup right away? Do a rapid chill: Transfer soup to a zip-top plastic bag, and set bag in an ice bath for 30 minutes.

11 of 17

12 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Paella with Soy Chorizo and Edamame

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Paella with Soy Chorizo and Edamame

Paella is a rice dish that hails from the Valencia region on the east coast of Spain. If Valencia rice is not available, use Arborio rice, but be sure not to stir the dish too much because paella is not meant to be creamy like a risotto.

12 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish Rice Salad

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Spanish Rice Salad

Serve this hearty Spanish salad with a seared tuna steak or grilled shrimp.

13 of 17

14 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Yellow Tomato Gazpacho

This is a sparkling beginning to an alfresco meal. A few ripe tomatoes and bell peppers, whether they're yellow, orange, or red, are the keys to this marvelous soup.

14 of 17

15 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Smoky Spanish-Style Pan Roast

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Smoky Spanish-Style Pan Roast

Swap this smoky Spanish-inspired roast for your traditional Sunday night version. We promise you won't regret it.

15 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Paella Valencia

View Recipe: Paella Valencia

Valencia is a Spanish coastal city where this dish is particularly revered. This paella features seafood, sausage, and chicken, but don't forget the saffron. It is the essential spice of the dish.

16 of 17

17 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Traditional Spanish Paella

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Traditional Spanish Paella

Nourishing, vibrant, and without pretension, paella has held a place of honor and practicality in Spanish homes for centuries. To round out this meal, choose a good Spanish red wine from the Rioja region, a crusty baguette, and a light salad.

17 of 17

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 17 Spanish-Style Roasted Potatoes
    2 of 17 The Flavors of Spain
    3 of 17 Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet
    4 of 17 Grilled Gazpacho
    5 of 17 Vegetable Paella
    6 of 17 One-Hour Spanish Chickpea Soup
    7 of 17 Spanish Pork with Apple-Citrus Salsa
    8 of 17 Spanish Chicken and Rice with Saffron Cream
    9 of 17 Gazpacho with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp
    10 of 17 Tortilla Española
    11 of 17 Cucumber Gazpacho with Toasted Rye Croutons
    12 of 17 Paella with Soy Chorizo and Edamame
    13 of 17 Spanish Rice Salad
    14 of 17 Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
    15 of 17 Smoky Spanish-Style Pan Roast
    16 of 17 Paella Valencia
    17 of 17 Traditional Spanish Paella

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    Our Best Spanish Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.