What To Serve With Paella: 15 Amazing Side Dishes

Paella is a delicious and colorful Spanish dish that combines rice, saffron, vegetables, and a variety of proteins like seafood or chicken.

While it's already a complete and flavorful meal on its own, you might wonder what side dishes can enhance your paella experience.

Here you can find the 15 best side dishes for a perfect Spanish Dinner.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with paella are tomato bread, Spanish green salad, patatas bravas, green beans, fried rice, gazpacho, roasted red peppers, garlic shrimp, Spanish omelette, marinated olives, grilled artichokes, and sautéed spinach with garlic.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Tomato Bread

Tomato bread, or pan con tomate, is a simple and traditional Spanish side dish made with crusty bread, ripe tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. This refreshing and flavorful dish pairs well with paella, adding a touch of brightness to your meal.

2. Green Beans

Green beans are a simple and healthy side dish that can be prepared in various ways, such as steamed, sautéed, or roasted. Their tender-crisp texture and mild flavor make them a great accompaniment to paella, adding a touch of freshness and color to your meal.

3. Patatas Bravas

Patatas bravas is a popular Spanish tapa featuring crispy, fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce. This flavorful and indulgent side dish is a perfect match for paella, adding a bit of heat and crunch to your meal.

4. Fried Rice

Fried rice is a versatile and flavorful side dish that can be served alongside paella. Although not traditionally Spanish, the combination of vegetables, egg, and soy sauce in the fried rice adds a different dimension to your meal, creating an interesting fusion of flavors.

5. Shrimp Boil

A shrimp boil is a delicious and festive side dish that pairs well with paella, especially seafood paella. Combining shrimp, corn, potatoes, and flavorful spices, this dish adds an extra layer of excitement to your meal and complements the seafood flavors of the paella.

6. Spanish Green Salad

A Spanish green salad is a light and refreshing side dish that complements the rich flavors of paella. Made with fresh greens, tomatoes, olives, and a tangy vinaigrette, this salad adds a crisp and vibrant contrast to the hearty paella.

7. Roasted Red Peppers

:Roasted red peppers, or pimientos asados, are a delicious and colorful side dish that enhances the flavors of paella. The sweet and smoky taste of the roasted peppers adds depth and complexity to your meal, making it even more enjoyable.

8. Garlic Shrimp

Garlic shrimp, or gambas al ajillo, is a popular Spanish tapa that can also be served as a side dish with paella. The succulent shrimp cooked in fragrant garlic and olive oil adds a touch of luxury to your meal, complementing the flavors of the paella.

9. Spanish Omelette

A Spanish omelette, or tortilla española, is a thick and hearty potato and egg dish that pairs well with paella. Its rich and savory flavors provide a satisfying contrast to the bright and complex flavors of the paella, making it a delicious addition to your meal.

10. Marinated Olives

Marinated olives are a simple yet flavorful side dish that complements the taste of paella. The tangy and salty flavors of the olives cut through the richness of the paella, cleansing the palate and adding a burst of Mediterranean flavor to your meal.

11.Grilled Artichokes

Grilled artichokes are a delicious and elegant side dish that pairs beautifully with paella. The smoky, charred flavor of the artichokes adds a unique and complementary taste to your meal, while their tender texture contrasts nicely with the paella's various ingredients.

12. Spinach with Garlic

Sautéed spinach with garlic, or espinacas al ajillo, is a simple and healthy side dish that complements the flavors of paella. The tender spinach and fragrant garlic add a touch of freshness and lightness to your meal, balancing the bold flavors of the paella.

13. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a refreshing and flavorful cold soup made with ripe tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and onions. This light and zesty dish provides a cool contrast to the warm and hearty paella, making it an excellent choice for a summer meal.

14. Chorizo-Stuffed Mushrooms

Chorizo-stuffed mushrooms are a delicious and savory side dish that complements the flavors of paella. The spicy chorizo adds a kick of flavor, while the tender mushrooms provide a delightful contrast to the various textures in the paella.

15. Orange and Fennel Salad

An orange and fennel salad is a light and refreshing side dish that adds a burst of citrus and crunch to your meal. The sweet and tangy oranges, crisp fennel, and fresh greens create a vibrant and flavorful accompaniment to paella.

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