Spanish tortilla (or Spanish omelette) is made with thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and eggs, gently cooked in olive oil. It is also known as Torta Espnaola or Torta de Patates and it is best served at room temperature or even cold, which is why it is the perfect make-ahead dish!
This is my personal take on this dish and slightly different from the traditional, but it offers a few easy tips for the home cook (be sure to read through for important tips)
What is Spanish Tortilla?
What we're talking about today is not the familiar Mexican tortilla, which is basically flatbread. Tortilla espanol or Spanish tortilla is one of Spain's most popular national dishes, and it is pretty much eggs, potatoes and onions cooked gently in olive oil. A Spanish omelette that is perfectly dense and extra satisfying.
Although it is often served as a tapa (like my earlier gambas al ajillo), this little dish can be the best meal any time of the day! And because it is better at room temperature, you can make it ahead even one night in advance.
With a little technique, this simple Spanish omelette will surprise your taste buds in the best way possible. And like I said, this is my personal take on this dish and slightly different from the traditional, but it offers a few easy tips for the home cook.
What is the difference between tortilla and frittata?
I love the way Melissa Clark of the New York Times described this dish as a "potato cake with just enough eggs to bind it together." With that, here are a few differences between Spanish tortilla and a frittata:
- Ingredients. Frittata can be made with virtually any set of veggies and eggs (spinach frittata is one I make often), while a Spanish omelette is made of: eggs, potatoes, onions, olive oil, and a dash of salt (I add a pinch of sweet paprika, but that is just my personal preference).
- Texture and Density. Tortilla Espanola is more dense and tender, thanks to layers of thinly sliced velvety potatoes. A frittata is thinner and typically dryer.
- Cooking Technique. You can cook both omelettes entirely in a skillet on the stovetop, but often times, frittata is finished in the oven. And to make tortilla, an important step is to first gently fry the potatoes and onions in lots of olive oil (at least 1 cup) until fully cooked before combining with the eggs to make your omelette.
Traditionally, you are meant to cook tortilla Espanola (or Spanish omelette) on the stovetop, flipping it over mid-way through to finish cooking on the other side (note: in this recipe, I include the option to finish it in the oven).
Three tips for the best Spanish omelette:
- Salt the eggs first! This is a tip I picked up from Daniel Gritzer of Serious Eats. Seasoning the eggs first will help them retain moisture while cooking.
- Cook the potatoes and onions gently in plenty of olive oil. You'll need to use at least 1 cup of olive oil that should be gently bubbling until the potatoes are cooked through to tender perfection. This is what truly gives the tortilla espanol it's velvety texture. But don't worry, the potatoes are drained, and you can reuse the deliciously flavored olive oil for something else (roasted vegetables or fried brussels sprouts or baked chicken drumsticks... whatever you need to make next)!
- Do not serve it hot! This is one omelette that is even better at room temprature (or cold), so allow it at least a few minutes before serving. Better yet, you can make it a few hours ahead or the night before.
What goes well with Spanish tortilla?
Like I said earlier, this Spanish omelette recipe is often served as a tapa in Spain along with other nibbles and drinks. But it makes an equally satisfying brunch or even dinner next to a salad such as: lemony arugula salad; tomato salad; bean salad; or even a big Mediterranean chickpea salad. And I have on occassion served it along side tomato basil soup.
How long will it keep?
If stored properly, it will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. And since it's better at room temperature or cold, you can make it a few hours or even one night in advance. Once you make it, let it cool before refrigerating.
More Recipes to Try
Browse our collection of Spanish recipes and our top 50 Mediterranean diet recipes.
Easy Spanish Tortilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 medium eggs
- Salt
- 1 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika, optional
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ lb russet potatoes (or 2 to 3 russet potatoes), peeled, halved and sliced cross-wise
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled, halved and sliced cross-wise
- 4 scallions, trimmed, chopped (both white and green portions)
Instructions
- In a big bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and paprika. Set aside for now.
- Prepare a 10-inch oven-proof nonstick skillet or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Heat the olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add the potatoes, onions, and scallions to the oil (at first, they won't all seem to fit, but with a little stirring, they'll compress as they cook). Lower the heat immediately to medium-low and watch to control the heat and make sure it continues to gently bubble. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are very tender.
- Use a heat-safe strainer over a heat-safe bowl to drain the olive oil (reserve the oil aside for now).
- Season the potatoes well with kosher salt and add them to the egg mixture in the bowl.
- Turn the oven broiler on.
- In the skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the reserved olive oil over medium heat. Pour in the egg and potato mixture, and gently press to even out the top. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until you see the edges of the omelette begin to set and firm up then put the pan under the broiler to finish cooking. Broil for about 5 minutes, watching carefully until the eggs are cooked through and the top of the omelette browns slighlty (see notes if you prefer to finish cooking on stovetop).
- Allow the tortilla a few minutes before serving.
- To serve, invert the tortilla onto a large serving platter (you may need to loosen the edges using a spatulla). Cut into 6 slices and serve.
Video
Notes
- To finish cooking the omelette entirely on the stovetop rather than using the broiler (step #7 ), once cooked in the skillet for a few minutes and the bottom and sides begin to set, place a large plate over the skillet and hold it in place with with your hand (you may wear an oven mitt too in case the plate gets hot). In one quick motion, turn the skillet to invert the tortilla onto the plate. Now, slide the tortilla into the skillet and finish cooking on the other side until fully cooked through.
- Make Ahead and Leftovers: You can make this a night or so ahead. Let cool completely before storing in the fridge in a tight-lid container. Leftover Spanish tortillas are great served just at room temperature or even cold.
- You can reuse any remaining extra virgin olive oil in other dishes, it will be deliciously flavored with the onions.
- Visit Our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oils, all-natural spices and more.
Nutrition
*This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2017 and has recently been updated with new information for readers' benefit.
Can't wait to try this recipe -- it'd be perfect for a weekend meal! Yum!
Thanks, Michelle!
My family is going to love this recipe! So excited to give this a try! Looks so tasty and packed with flavor!
Enjoy! 🙂
Delicious! The combination of potatoes and eggs really is wonderful. I can't wait to make it again!
Yay! Thanks, Sue!
Best way to begin the day - we love this in the Philippines! So good.
Thanks, Gail!
This Spanish tortilla was delicious and so easy to make! Loved it!
Thanks, Sam!
OMG - I just stumbled onto this recipe (I love ALL your recipes). I grew up eating this - it was popular in the mid-west (US). We simply called it "potatoes - onions and eggs". I made it often for my kids and I still make it for myself (I'm in my mid-60s). I never used that much oil -- just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet - -added the thinly sliced potatoes -- once they started to get a bit brown (with more oil added if necessary) I add the onions and let them carmalize a bit - then add the eggs and let it cook until it sets a bit. At this point, I've always just cut it in half and flip each half to let it finish cooking. This was a weekly dish when I grew up and at least monthly when my kids were young! SO good - SO easy! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing, Susan!
I would use much less eggs to get a more authentic tortilla - I use maybe 4 maximum when I make mine. If you use 3-4, it’ll change the texture too! I can never find good russet potatoes so I use 15-20 red potatoes and they work well. Also, I completely make it on the stove. Spanish people use a plate to top the pan and then flip the tortilla onto it turning it upside down then slide it back into the same pan - it keeps the inside nice and runny. I like mine a bit firmer so i cover the pan with a lid. It’ll be crispy and not dried out or rubbery. I sometimes will add in jalapeños for a spicy kick!
Thanks for sharing, Anne!
Hi, 1 cup of olive oil seems like a lot. After straining it, can you reuse it?
Hi Katie, Spanish tortilla as mentioned in the post typically uses more olive oil (some recipes call for even more than 1 cup). I do not typically reuse my oil.
Smelled amazing, tasted great
So glad you enjoyed it!
I don’t understand the oil
IN the recipe? It says a cup
Of olive oil? Where do you put all of this oil? Do you ( I’m understanding ) from
The menu cook the potatoes and onion at the start in the oil? Thanks
Hi Gina, yes, the answer to your question is in step #2 and #3 listed in the recipe:
Prepare a 10-inch oven-proof nonstick skillet or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Heat the olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat, watching until shimmering.Add potatoes, onions and scallions to the oil (don't worry, at first, they won't all seem to fit, but with a little stirring, they'll compress as they cook.) Lower heat immediately to medium-low (you'll want to control the heat making sure it continues to gently bubble). Cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are very tender.
Hi, thank you for this really tasty dish. It was my first time at it and, therefore, took a little longer to make than expected. Wanted to make sure those potatoes cooked through. This Spanish Tortilla with the suggested salad fits into any meal of the day and is delicious.
Maria, I am so glad to hear it! Thanks for giving this one a try.
Hi, Can I give this recipe to a diabetic patient?
Thanks
Hi there. Thank you for question. I am not an expert on diabetes so can not advice you on this. Perhaps ask the patient or consult an expert or a doctor.
Yummy. My son would love this recipe. I can’t wait make it for him.
Enjoy!
Looking amazing!! Can’t wait to try this. Thaks for sharing
Enjoy!
Hi,
You've said that salting the egg first is good for a tortilla, but I've found it difficult to adjust the amount of salt to add in the egg. I make it so salty that it couldn't be eaten! Please suggest me anything which would make this problem solve. Thanks in Advance
Hi William. If you prefer to salt the eggs later, that will be fine as well.
Wow! Great. Thanks a lot, Suzy.
I heard about spanish tortilla recipe. But yet now didn't get an opportunity to have a pinch of taste. Thank you for sharing this recipe so that I can try this out. Waiting for more spanish dishes.
Wonderful, Joanne! Glad you found the recipe. Look for more Spanish inspirations here in the future.