How to Cook Tortilla de Patatas the Spanish Way

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Often described as a Spanish version of an omelette or frittata, the tortilla de patatas is a food that many visitors to Spain quickly take a shine to. Made of eggs, potatoes, and plenty of olive oil, this dish is a staple in tapas bars and restaurants across the country. We’ll show you how you can whip up a tortilla de patatas to impress your friends and family.

This dish can be enjoyed at nearly any time of the day, whether you eat a slice for breakfast or plate some up with a side salad for dinner. Spanish people typical eat it either as a stand-alone slice or incorporated into a sandwich. It’s also a great choice if you’re going out for tapas, especially if you’re a vegetarian.

So, grab your apron and step into the kitchen. We’re going to make a tortilla de patatas!

How to Cook Tortilla de Patatas

How to cook tortilla de patatas: Getting started

Tortilla de patatas has a few simple ingredients, and with a bit of patience you’ll be cooking up a great one. This is one of the most popular and tastiest Spanish foods.

One of the nice things about tortilla de patatas is that you can easily adjust the size of one. Use a small pan and you can make an individual one, or you can decide to make a giant one to share. Some people also make a big one to eat throughout the week, as Spanish tortilla keeps well.

To whip up your own tortilla de patatas, you probably already have all the equipment in your kitchen. You’ll need a large frying pan, a bowl, a large plate, a spatula or fish slice, a chopping board, a knife, and a potato peeler. That’s it!

Once you’ve got the basic recipe down, you can experiment with variations. Try making a small one for just you, or jazz up your tortilla by tossing in a bit of something like spinach, leftover veggies, ham, or peppers. This is a highly adaptable recipe, so feel free to make it your own.

But before we get to the advanced steps, let’s start with the basics.

How to cook tortilla de patatas: The ingredients

First step – you’ll need to round up a few ingredients. Chances are good you already have some of these on hand. And, if you don’t, they’re affordable and available just about anywhere.

Here are the ingredients you need to make tortilla de patatas:

  • Potatoes – 500 grams/about 1 pound
  • White onion – 1 large (though you can omit this if you don’t like onions)
  • Eggs – 6
  • Olive oil – around 150 milliliters/10 tablespoons
  • Optional: Parsley – 3 tablespoons

How to cook tortilla de patatas: The method

First, you’ll need to peel your potatoes. Then, cut them into thick slices. Pat them dry when finished. If you’re using an onion, chop it too.
Heat up a few spoonfuls of your olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add your potatoes and onions (if using).

Turn the heat to low, and gently cook the potatoes and onions until the potatoes are soft. This should take around 30 minutes.

Crack your eggs into a bowl and beat them. When your potato and onion mixture is cooked, pour it into the bowl with the eggs. Add salt, pepper, and parsley (if using).

Then, transfer the mixture back into the frying pan. Cook for another 20 or so minutes on low heat. Gently shape it with your spatula.

When it’s nearly set on top, take your spatula and gently loosen the edges and lift it up a bit. Now, it’s time to flip your tortilla. Get a large plate and flip the frying pan over it to transfer the tortilla to a plate (cooked side up). Gently slide it back into the frying pan (still cooked side up).

Cook your tortilla for another few minutes until it’s cooked through. You’re done! Let it cool for about 10 minutes, and then tuck in.

How to Cook Tortilla de Patatas

Tips for cooking tortilla de patatas

Patience is key to a great tortilla. Don’t rush to cook it.

The trickiest part? Flipping the tortilla. If it’s not coming out of the pan easily, let it cook for a few more minutes.

You can enjoy tortilla de patatas either hot or cold. Try it both ways and see which way you like it best!

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