10 Easy Tapas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular tapas dish? ›

Popular throughout Spain, tapas are festive and delicious appetizers and snacks. Traditional tapas include mixed olives, fried baby squid, meatballs, and chorizo. Whether you're craving briny seafood or crispy potatoes, these are our best tapas recipes.

Start with some snacks: a few Spanish cheeses, like nutty Manchego, smokey Idiazabal, and sharp Cabrales or some jamón (all available at the Jamón & Queso Kiosk); some almonds, tinned seafood, olives. If you're feeling ambitious, marinate the olives yourself to add extra layers of flavor.

Tapas are Spanish appetizers, meant to be eaten in just a few bites. Traditional tapas include mixed olives, fried baby squid, meatballs and chorizo. Papas bravas are another typical dish: It's simply fried potatoes served with a creamy sauce.

Portion sizes will vary by restaurant, but typically, ordering 2 to 3 tapas per person gets the job done. So a party of 4 would order 8 to 12 tapas between them. Don't be afraid to ask your server if you haven't ordered enough food, and remember, your friends are there to help if you've ordered too much.

Rich cheeses, cured meats, roasted vegetables, fresh seafood, and deep-fried delights are all common players in the tapas game.

You can serve tapas at a dinner party by creating a variety of small plates that guests can share. Make sure to offer a selection of vegetarian and meat dishes, as well as some gluten-free options. You can also create a charcuterie board with cured meats, cheeses, and olives.

Tapas served as snacks to keep hunger at bay before the main meal. Their popularity has grown, and tapas are now often eaten as the main meal. They can be thought of as samplers, or you can make a complete meal by combining two or more tapas to enjoy a variety of flavors.

Tapas is traditionally a drink and bite to eat, so when you meet for tapas in Spain, it's usually around 1:30 to 3pm or 8:30 to 10:30pm. If you stick to the traditional Spanish times for tapas, you're guaranteed to get the freshest food and the best atmosphere.

In general, two to four tapas dishes per person is a standard order for a meal. This may be slightly fewer if you're stopping off for a snack. Tapas do come in different sizes so it's a good idea to check with your server and potentially ask for recommendations. This way, you can ensure the right sized portion!

What makes a good tapas? ›

There are a variety of foods you can serve at a tapas party, but our favorite tapas menu includes jalapeño poppers, fried cheese, savory canapés, and stuffed olives. We love a fig and bacon jam crostini, too!

Although the aperitivos can be the same little amount of food that a tapa is, tapas are served radically differently. The appetizer commonly comes just before the first course. Tapas, on the other hand, are served constantly in bars all over the country to accompany drinks and long conversations.

Pinchos - These are tapas that are small and can be eaten in one or two bites, typically mouth sized. These are usually served on top of pieces of bread and eaten individually instead of being shared.

Cold Tapas

These can range from salads to cold snacks like olives and cold soups. Cold tapas can also include potato salad and seafood. These make excellent pre-dinner snacks for your household or yourself after a long day. You'll often find cold meats and cheese served as cold tapas — think manchego and jamón Iberico.

Black pudding and chorizo

Together with ham, these are two of the most popular cured pork products served as tapas. The first is made with rice and the second is served grilled or cooked in cider.

Tortilla española or tortilla de patatas

One of the most well-known Spanish tapas is made from a few simple ingredients: eggs, potatoes, onions, and a little oil. Unlike the tortillas made in Central and South America, the Spanish tortilla is more of a frittata than a wrap.