Spanish cuisine offers many vegetarian recipes that you can easily make at home, taste delicious, and are packed with fresh vegetables. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the best diets in the world, and being Spanish myself, I had the urge to share these 20 yummy recipes from Spain that can be enjoyed without meat or fish.
Spanish Popular Ingredients
If you get to know the Spanish most popular ingredients, these are mostly vegetarian. Fresh vegetables, olive oil, spices, seasonal fruit, and legumes are some of the ingredients you will find in any Spanish home. If you want to introduce more Mediterranean dishes into your kitchen and start cooking Vegan and Vegetarian Spanish Recipes, here are some ingredients you will need to have in hand.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Spain is the number one country in terms of good-quality olive oil. One thing you need to know about extra virgin olive oil is that you need to serve it raw. This type of olive oil is best for salads, dressings, cold dips, cold soups, etc. You can find Spanish Olive Oil in big supermarkets or online. This is a good olive oil we use regularly.
- Spices. Spain is well known for its Pimentón. This includes smoked paprika, sweet paprika, hot smoked paprika, and others. Other spices that you will need for Spanish recipes are turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, saffron, curry, and nutmeg.
- Tomatoes. We love tomatoes, especially when in season. Many Spanish recipes are tomato based and even one of the most famous Spanish recipes is a cold tomato soup. You can find good quality tomatoes in Spain most of the year, and this is why many recipes are based on this fruit.
- Potatoes. As in many other countries, we have a good amount of recipes that have potatoes are one of the main ingredients such as Tortillas de Patata (Spanish Potato Omelette), Patatas Bravas, Patatas a lo pobre, Papas Arrugadas, etc.
- Fresh Vegetables. The most popular vegetables in Spanish recipes are green and red bell peppers, garlic, onions, cabbage, and leeks.
- Legumes. You can find entire supermarket aisles with just legumes. White beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans or chickpeas, or lentils are really popular in Spanish recipes. You can buy them canned or dried.
Vegetarian Spanish Recipes
We made a list that contains 20 of the most famous Spanish recipes. These recipes are naturally vegetarian or vegan or slightly twisted to make them plant-based.
You can get here from appetizers or Spanish Tapas to mains, soups, drinks, and snacks.
Vegetarian and Vegan Traditional Spanish Tapas or appetizers
Some of the most traditional dishes from Spain are served as tapas or appetizers.
What is a Spanish Tapa?
A Spanish "tapa" is a small, flavorful appetizer or snack that is commonly prepared in Spain. Originally, a plate was placed on top of your drink to avoid any dust or dirt from going in. This plate acted as a "tapa" (lid in Spanish). Over time, small portions of food were served on top of these plates, becoming really popular.
Nowadays, you can still find restaurants and Tapas Bars that serve you a generous "tapa" when you order a drink. Other restaurants have a menu just for tapas, becoming really popular to go out "for tapas" with friends or family.
1. Spanish Croquettes
These Vegan Croquettes are the appetizer or dish for a tapas night or finger food-style party. Our plant-based Croquetas are golden crispy on the outside and perfectly moist and flavourful on the inside.
2. Papas Arrugadas
Learn how to make Papas arrugadas, the classic salt-crusted potatoes recipe from the Canary Islands. This easy Spanish potato dish is a great appetizer, tapa, or side dish. This recipe is normally served with mojo verde and mojo rojo
3. Champiñones Al Ajillo (Garlicky Mushrooms)
When making a big dinner for the family, or cooking different tapas for a party meal, sauteed mushrooms with garlic, aka Champiñones al Ajillo, are always a great and tasty choice.
4. Pimientos de Padrón (fried green peppers)
One of the simplest vegetarian tapas: Pimientos de Padrón. As simple as it sounds, this is a national dish that especially during summer, becomes really popular. It's normally served as an appetizer or side dish. You can make this recipe using the air fryer too!
5. Spanish Omelette (Tortilla de Patatas)
Tortilla de Patata or Spanish Tortilla is one of the most well-known dishes in Spain. Served in many restaurants and bars, is a delicious national dish that most people love and miss when they leave Spain. You can serve this dish as an appetizer or main meal with a fresh tomato salad. If you want a vegan version, you need to check this recipe from Simple Vegan Blog.
6. Patatas Bravas
These vegan Patatas Bravas are absolutely delicious and a crowd-pleaser. Served in many restaurants, you can now make your own version at home.
Vegetarian Spanish Main Dishes
From classic Paella, to hearty stews, you can find here some Spanish Vegetarian Recipes that the whole family can enjoy as a main.
7. Vegetarian Paella
Isn't Paella the most popular Spanish dish? I think so! And you can make your own vegetable paella at home that tastes amazing. This yummy rice cooked in a Paella Pan is a recipe to prepare and enjoy with the family, packed with Spanish flavors, made with a delicious vegetable broth, and seasonal vegetables.
8. Instant Pot Vegan Paella
Another way to cook your Spanish rice is using an Instant Pot. This Vegetable Paella cooked in the Instant Pot pressure cooker becomes a delicious one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights.
9. Pisto (Vegetable Stew)
Pisto Manchego is the Spanish version of France’s ratatouille, Italy’s caponata or Turkey’s imam bayildi. It’s a hearty vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, onion, tomatoes, red pepper and green pepper, and lots of olive oil. You will love this traditional Spanish Pisto which is one of the Spanish vegetarian dishes that you can find in most of the Spanish cities.
10. Escalivada
Escalivada Catalana, is a Catalan roasted vegetable dish. It features eggplant and red bell peppers, and sometimes onions and/or tomatoes. It's a light option for a Spanish tapas menu or can act as a simple vegetarian meal served with some bread or eggs.
11. Butter Bean Stew
This cozy smokey Butter Bean Stew takes flavor inspiration from Spain. With loads of smoked paprika, garlic, rich tomato sauce, and creamy butterbeans, it's one of those stews that just begs to be mopped up with good crusty bread.
Vegan Spanish Soup Recipes
One-pot recipes are widely loved around the world, and Spain is no exception. Hearty one-pot vegetarian Spanish recipes that you can easily make at home.
12. Spanish lentil Stew
Any Spanish person has a family Lentil Soup Recipe. With or without meat, made with different veggies, using dry or canned lentils, this Spanish Vegetable Stew is on weekly rotation at home. It's nutritious, both kids love it, and is a quick one-pot meal.
13. Sopa de Ajo (Garlic Soup)
Sopa de ajo is Spanish comfort food at its best. It’s a garlic and bread soup that is super comforting and a delicious way to warm you up on a cold day.
14. Gazpacho Andalúz (Cold Spanish Tomato Soup)
If you come to our house during the summer, chances are that you are going to find a big jug of Spanish Gazpacho in the fridge. This refreshing cold soup can be served as an appetizer or main dish.
15. Cucumber Gazpacho
This cucumber gazpacho is cool, refreshing, and bursting with fresh flavors. And, the good news is that you can make it in under 15 minutes. Make a big batch and store it in the fridge for a cool, healthy lunch on a warm summer's day.
Spanish Snacks
We couldn't leave our famous Pan con Tomate out of this list. Pan con Tomato (Fresh Tomato served on bread), is the most popular breakfast and snack served in Spain. Check what other popular plant-based snacks we enjoy in this country!
16. Vegan Sobrasada
A vegan and delicious alternative to the traditional Spanish Sobrasada. Yummy and healthy Sun-Sried Tomato Pâté ready in less than 10 minutes.
17. Pan con Tomate (fresh tomato on bread)
A vegan and delicious alternative to the traditional Spanish Sobrasada. Yummy and healthy Sun-Sried Tomato Pâté ready in less than 10 minutes.
18. Vegan Chorizo
With the rich flavor of smoked paprika and garlic, this spicy vegan Chorizo is perfect for slicing, topping pizzas, and adding some heat to all your favorite Spanish recipes.
Spanish Drinks
Summer is quite long in Spain, and this season comes with refreshing drinks such as Tinto de Verano or Agua de Valencia.
19. Tinto de Verano
Celebrate warm weather with Spain's favorite, wine-based summer drink. This icy, fruity Spanish red wine cocktail is bursting with zippy citrus and bubbly lemon soda.
20. Agua de Valencia
Agua de Valencia is very similar to a mimosa, but it has an extra kick from the gin and vodka. This popular Spanish cocktail is a refreshing and bubbly drink that is made with only 4 ingredients.
Deborah says
Thanks so much for including my Tinto de Verano in your lovely roundup of Spanish recipes. I shared on Facebook.