Appetiser Or Sidedish? 6 Spanish Salads You Should Try

Tired of your go-to salad? It’s time to try another mix that can replace your usual salad cravings!

There are many different salads in Spain, and you can only decide your favourite if you’ve tried them. So if ever you visit Spanish restaurants, try ordering at least one. On the other hand, you can also learn their recipes and make them at home.

Spanish salads range from simple to complicated combinations of ingredients. As Spain has been influenced by many cultures, the food they create has high-quality and exceptional flavours.

Aside from that, Spanish cuisine is also influenced by its climate and geographic elements. In some regions, seafood is abundant, while others also have their contributions. Each region also has its kind of salad that is popular with Spaniards.

So if you want to know the different Spanish salads you should try, then don’t hesitate to check the list below!

1. Ensalada Mixta

Looking for a hearty salad? Try the Ensalada Mixta, which is also known as the mixed green salad of Spain. It’s usually compared to Cobb and garden salad but also contains other ingredients.

The main ingredients of this salad are tomatoes, lettuce, boiled egg, and tuna or baby eel. Meanwhile, the dressing contains salt, extra virgin olive oil, and vinegar. Normally, it would take up to 30 minutes to make Ensalada Mixta since it has many ingredients.

You can look at it as the usual salad, but it’s known for being the King of Spanish salads as it’s famous in all the regions. Nowadays, there are different versions of this salad, but Spanish restaurants still serve the authentic version.

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2. Pipirrana

Pipirrana is a simple salad that you can make in just 5 minutes. It’s originally from Andalusia but became popular in the other regions of Spain. Additionally, it’s served as a side dish, tapa, or appetiser.

The traditional ingredients of the Pipirrana salad are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions. However, many provinces have created new versions of Pipirrana that’s why the flavour changed through the years.

The new versions were added with tuna, olives, or scallions to increase the flavour. But since it’s easy to make, you can just make your own or ask Spanish restaurants if they’re serving the authentic version of the salad.

3. Asadillo Manchego

Another easy-to-make Spanish salad is the Asadillo Manchego. Its main ingredient is roasted peppers, which is why its name can be translated as roasted pepper salad. After roasting the peppers, the remaining ingredients are added such as tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin, and olive oil.

But before you add the other ingredients, you should peel the peppers first, and crush them. It will make the salad look a bit more like a sauce, but it’s how it should look.

Just like the other salads, there are many versions of Asadillo Manchego. Other people incorporate some eggs or tuna to add bite to it. When served the traditional way, some people think that it’s a soup because it has a purée-like consistency.

4. Xató

Although the Xato salad’s recipe is a bit more complicated than the other Spanish salads, a lot of people still love it.

Other salads usually have a simple dressing that contains olive oil, salt, and vinegar. Meanwhile, Xato salad dressing requires a mortar and pestle where olive oil, peppers, garlic, almonds, breadcrumbs, hazelnuts, vinegar, and salt are combined and grounded.

The main ingredients for Xato salad are tuna, anchovies, olives, salt cod, and endive leaves. Are you curious enough? Then you should try this the next time you visit Spanish restaurants near you.

5. Ensaladilla Rusa

Ensaladilla Rusa may not originally come from Spain since according to its name, it means Russian salad, but it’s still served in many regions in Spain.

Yes, it’s a potato salad which is why Spaniards love it. If you’ve tasted a couple of different potato salads before, you should also try this one.

Of course, its main ingredients are potatoes, but it also has eggs, carrots, and peas. Since it’s not originally from Spain, it also explains why the dressing is mayo and not olive oil.

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6. Trempó

If you miss an olive oil-based salad, then you can always try Trempo salad. It’s a combination of green bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Meanwhile, its dressing contains some salt and olive oil.

Since the ingredients are not complicated, you can easily make them at home. However, if you want to taste the authentic style, then you can order it from Spanish restaurants.

Are you excited to try Spanish salads? You should order one whenever you have the chance to. That way, you can easily determine the salad that best suits your taste! Don’t forget to share with us your favourite once you’ve tried them all.