This tapas recipe collection has something for everyone from fried potatoes to spicy seafood and delicious desserts, this list will rival even the best tapas bar!
What I'm sharing with you guys today is my favorite way to entertain. Simple Spanish tapas dishes, some good wine, and a handful of great friends.
Spanish tapas dishes are perfect for easy entertaining. Everyone can have just enough of everything to enjoy throughout the evening without the need for a big sit-down meal. When I entertain, I don't want to be stuck in the kitchen; I want to be laughing and enjoying the time with my guests.
I typically throw together two to three dishes that couldn't be simpler (no, really): Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp with Garlic), Patatas Bravas (Fried Potatoes with Tomato Sauce or Aioli) and depending on the weather, Gazpacho (Spanish cold tomato soup). All have minimal ingredients, come together quickly and are still delicious at room temperature.
What are Spanish Tapas?
Spanish tapas, pronounced taa·puhz, "tapa" means snack, cover, top or lid in Spanish. Tapas, or tapa if we are talking about one, can be described as small plates or dishes, or basically a smaller portion or snack-size of any dish.
Some describe tapas as similar to appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, starters, or mezze but those are served before the main course of a meal. Tapas can be eaten as a snack or many small plates can be grazed upon as an entire meal. Tapas can include small plates of appetizers, soups & salads, main course meals and desserts.
Popular Tapas
Tapas can be hot or cold dishes and can include practically anything. Here are popular tapas:
- Albondigas (Spanish meatballs)
- Calamari or Chopitos (fried squid)
- Cheese and charcuterie
- Croquetas (croquettes)
- Escalivada (roasted vegetables)
- Pinchos/Pintxos (slices of bread with different toppings)
- Gazpacho
- Paella
- Tortilla Espanola (potatoes and eggs)
What to Drink with Tapas
I always like to pair beer or wine with tapas. Margaritas and tequila are a great choice too, but you don't have to order an alcoholic beverage to enjoy tapas.
Tapas & Wine
What's great about tapas and wine is that there's such an array of flavors that almost any wine will match with any of these recipes.
To make better wine pairings, start out with lighter foods and lighter wines and then build up to heavier foods and meats with fuller-bodied wines.
- Sangria - Refreshing and fruity, make a pitcher of red wine sangria and white wine sangria.
- Cava - Spain's sparkling wine with aromas of tropical fruit and citrus.
- Spanish Rosada - A darker, fruitier, and fuller rosé wine that has a foot in both red and white wine.
- Albariño - A white wine with fruit flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and nectarine and makes a great pairing with seafood dishes.
- Tempranillo - A red wine and the most famous red variety in Spain. Look for wines labeled Joven or Crianza for more fruit flavors and less oak.
- Mencia - A red wine that is aromatic and much lighter in body.
- Garnacha (Grenache)- A Spanish red wine with berry flavors of bright strawberries and raspberries and notes of white pepper.
- Riojas - A less expensive wine that is full-bodied, with high tannins and rich flavors of dark berries, plums, and herbs. This one is so popular with tapas that there are even Rioja Wine & Tapas Festivals throughout the U.S.
For American wines try a rosé, a well-chilled sherry or Fino, champagne, chardonnay or Syrah. Tempranillo is most like a Cabernet Sauvignon and Mencia wines are similar to a Pinot Noir.
Tapas & Beer
Spain is better known for its wine than its beer but tapas and beer are two tastes that match really well. Beer does a great job of cleansing and refreshing Many tapas are at the saltier end of the spectrum, and beer is absolutely perfect to go along with that.
A fun way to enjoy tapas and beer is by matching Spanish beers with the same region they originated from.
Similar to wine, start out with lighter foods and lighter, fruitier beer and then build up to heavier foods and meats with fuller-bodied beers.
Tapas & Beer Pairings
- Sours: Cheeses and charcuterie
- Light lagers: Seafood, salads, spicy tapas
- Wheat beers: Scallops, shrimp
- India pale ales (IPAs): Sausages, spicy, salty, heat-charred, smoky, or aromatic plates, sweet desserts
- Amber ales: Paella, aromatic, spicy and smoked meats
- Dark lagers: Smoked or caramelized dishes
- Brown ales: Pork, smoked sausage and hearty dishes
- Porters: Smoked meats, especially bacon, coffee, and soft, creamy cheeses
- Stouts: Nuttiness and braised, caramelized integrity of dishes, chocolate, coffee, oysters
Spanish Beers to Pair with Tapas
- Mahou Cinco Estrella (Madrid) - A blonde beer with a light taste
- La Virgin (Madrid) - A full-bodied fruity taste
- Estrella Damm (Barcelona) - A rich, malty taste
- Estrella Galicia Especial - A balance of pilsen and roasted malts
- Moritz (Barcelona) - A pale pilsner made with mineral water
- Ambar Especial Lager (Zaragoza) - A signature bright amber color with soft, balanced, refreshing taste
- Cruz Campo (Seville) - Their pilsner lager is the most popular but there are several types
How many tapas should i plan per person?
Plan on 4 to 6 small tapas per person if you're serving a full meal, or 2 to 3 if tapas are just a starter before a bigger dinner.
Since tapas are meant to be shared, it's better to make a larger variety in smaller amounts than just two or three big dishes (that's part of what makes tapas-style entertaining so fun)!
Are tapas a meal or an appetizer?
Tapas can be either! In Spain, a few tapas are often eaten as a light snack or paired with a drink before dinner, but several tapas together, grazed on over a couple of hours, easily make up an entire meal. There's no rule that says you have to serve a "main course" afterward.
Is paella a tapa?
Traditionally, paella is a main dish, not a tapa. But I've been to tapas bars that serve small portions of paella alongside their other tapas. If I'm serving tapas as a meal, I frequently serve paella as one of my tapas.
Are there vegetarian tapas options?
There are loads of vegetarian tapas! Dishes like patatas bravas, gazpacho, escalivada (roasted vegetables), marinated carrots (zanahorias aliñadas), and spiced almonds are all naturally vegetarian. You'll also find plenty of tapas where the main ingredient is cheese.
What tapas recipes have you made? Share in the comment section (feel free to link to your favorites)!
Easy Spanish Tapas Recipes
We’ve collected 28 of our favorite Spanish tapas recipes! We cover everything from easy tapas recipes to authentic plates and classic tapas dishes with a modern twist.
Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce) Recipe
My version is a fresh shrimp marinated with garlic and a combination of ground ancho and chipotle chile powders. All you have to do is give them a quick sear in a pan (or toss 'em on skewers if you're grilling) and you've got one Spanish tapas dish done!
Patatas Bravas (Spanish Roasted Potatoes)
Just cut up your potatoes, toss them in olive oil, salt & pepper, then roast them for 40 minutes or so. Serve with a traditional Salsa Brava sauce or aioli (or both) and you're ready to enjoy a glass of wine!
Easy Gazpacho Recipe
Gazpacho is a classic cold Spanish soup, perfect for hot summer days. Just dice the garlic, chop the vegetables, stir all the ingredients and refrigerate for a few hours.
Easy Calamares Fritos Recipe (Spanish Fried Calamari)
This authentic Spanish recipe for Calamares Fritos is filled with so much Spanish goodness.
Seafood Paella
Paella is one of the most loved tapas as is seafood in tapas. This authentic recipe combines the best of both worlds.
Albondigas (Tapas Spanish Meatballs)
These meatballs in a flavorful tomato sauce are perfect for enjoying with a glass of Spanish red wine.
Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables)
Escalivada is a simple and delicious Catalan side or tapas dish of grilled or roasted vegetables.
Spanish Croquettes Made With Jamon Serrano
Spanish croquettes or croquetas de jamón are the perfect tapas recipe to serve at your next gathering.
5 Classic Spanish Pinchos | Quick & Simple Tapas Recipes
Spanish pinchos or pinxchos are so simple to make here are five quick and easy recipes for making this classic tapas dish.
Tortilla de Patatas
Breakfast for dinner is a welcome sight and this Spanish omelet is an easy Spanish recipe made with potatoes, onion, eggs, salt, and oil.
One pot Spanish rice with chorizo and tomatoes
Spanish rice is absolutely delicious and extremely versatile with tapas. This one pot Spanish rice recipe includes chorizo but it's simple enough to make without chorizo as well.
Spanish Spiced Almonds Tapa (Almendras Fritas)
Spanish Spiced Almonds tapas, known as Almendras Fritas in Spain, makes for a great tapas starter and incredibly easy to make.
Zanahorias Alinadas (Spanish Marinated Carrots)
Zanahorias Aliñadas are Spanish marinated carrots are marinated in sherry vinegar with garlic and spices. This makes for a great vegetarian tapas option.
White wine marinated steak
This white wine marinated steak with blue cheese is easy to make, full of flavor and makes a great tapas dish.
Smoked Sardine Crostini
This simple easy smoked sardine crostini recipe is also topped with smoked paprika and smoked sun-dried tomatoes.
Pinchos Morunos (Spanish Pork Skewers) with Mojo Picon
The Pinchos Morunos tapas recipe, flavor-infused pork skewers, is perfect with Spanish Mojo Picon sauce.
Spanish Mussels
I love mussels so I had to include this delicious Spanish mussels recipe.
Prawns & Olives Lollipops Tapas Recipe
Prawns & Olives Lollipops Recipe Spanish Tapas Restaurant, Serve in a tray or a glass with all the lollipops facing up and the aioli.
Traditional Spanish Sangria Recipe
Sangria is a the perfect pairing with tapas especially during a hot summer. There are many modern twists on Sangria but this recipe sticks to Spanish traditions.
Sangria made with Spanish Sparkling Wine
Sangria made with Spanish Sparkling Wine Recipe Tapas Revolutions Tapas Bars and Restaurant Cava is made in the same way as champagne.
Sparkling Grapefruit Sangria Recipe
This Sparkling Grapefruit Sangria Recipe has a citrus twist and is perfect for warmer weather! So easy to throw together and is just beautiful to serve.
Sweet Tea Sangria
https://www.thewickednoodle.com/sweet-tea-sangria/
Arroz con leche Tapas Recipe
Arroz con leche Recipe Spanish Food at Tapas Revolutions Tapas Bars and Restaurants, Pour the milk and add the crushed cinnamon stick.
Delicious & Easy Spanish Torrijas Recipe
Traditionally, torrijas are made of a slice of stale bread soaked in milk flavored with vanilla, and cinnamon. They can be served warm or cold are a great for a super simple tapas dessert.
Classic Spanish Flan Recipe
This easy flan recipe uses three simple ingredients: eggs, milk and sugar.
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JBolin says
These tapas dishes look SO GOOD! Can't wait to try the wine!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks!! You'll love it all 🙂
Mattynell says
YES!!! I've made both of these and they were delicious.
Kristy Bernardo says
So happy you enjoyed them!
Farina says
What can I use in place of the ancho chile powder? Can I just use all chipotle?
Kristy Bernardo says
You definitely can!