Authentic Paella Recipes from Spain to your table

Paella is fantastic, so it’s getting universal, but paella recipes are growing while losing its authentic essence and tradition from Spain. There are sometimes big differences between authentic Spanish paella recipes and what is promoted as authentic all over the web.

No worries, though, I’m from Valencia, (where paella is from) and I learned paella secrets from my grandmother. I’d like to show you how traditional paellas are made in Spain.

I’ve lived abroad and I can assure proper paella and Spanish rice recipes can be cooked outside Spain.

Authentic Spanish Paella Recipe

This is the paella recipe I first learned from my father (and so he did from his father). However, I have to admit he keeps making this authentic paella recipe better than me. Either with fire, gas, or induction, he masters this paella. (For other Spanish rice recipes like arroz al horno I honestly overtook him 😉 ).

Here, in Valencia region, it’s traditional to make paella every weekend. When I visit my parents, the paella time is one of the moments with them I appreciate most. The paella below was made by my father in May 2020 and it was stunning.

Authentic paella ingredients

The ingredients for this authentic Spanish paella recipe are similar to the ones for Paella Valenciana, definitely its inspiration. What is slightly different is the process, because here we add the rice before the water or broth.

🥘 Difficulty: Easy-Average
🥘 Servings: 4
🥘 Nutrition: 440 Kcal

• 400g (2 cups) round rice for paella (Or bomba rice)
• 200g (0.45 lbs) chopped pork ribs
• 400g (0.9 lbs) chicken (never breast)
• 100g (0,2 lbs) butter beans
• 100g (0.2 lbs) runner beans
• 200g grated ripe tomato
• 1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
• Extra Virgin Olive oil
• Salt
• 4 small branches of fresh rosemary
• Pinch of saffron (optional but preferable)
• 0,8l (3 1/2 cups) of water or preferably chicken stock for paella (3 times the rice weigh for bomba rice)

How to make authentic paella

🥘 Total time: 55′

🥘 Prep time: 20′
🥘 Cooking time: 35′

The process of this authentic paella recipe is easy, and it is the recipe I share when a friend (Spanish or not) ask me for an authentic paella recipe.
Just follow carefully the steps and you will learn how to make authentic Spanish paella.

1. Heat up the pan (medium heat,) add the oil until it gets quite warm
2. Add the vegetables. First, the pepper, stir a bit, and then the beans. Stir and soften
3. Put the chicken and pork in. Put aside the vegetables. Then, add the meat in the middle of the paella pan and sauté until browned.
4. Pour the grated tomato. Stir while it soft fries.
5. Add the rice in. Stir until it gets oil and tomato coated. The rice should be half of the stock.
6. Mix everything in. Stir for a little while
7. Pour the water or broth, previously warmed, including salt and saffron. Stir carefully for the last time.
8. Let it boil until the liquid is almost totally gone. (About 10-15 min, depending on the heat).
9. Add small branches of rosemary on the top. (This step can be done when there is still liquid)
10. Turn down the heat (minimum). And cover the pan. Let it cook for 15 min
11. Turn off the heat. Let it repose for about 5 min and serve it
12. Enjoy this authentic paella and comment here how did you like it

Some other Spanish Paella Recipes

What is la paella?

Paella is not just a typical dish of Spanish gastronomy with rice as the main ingredient, there is a lot more. The truth is that many of Spanish paella secrets are not commonly known, even somewhere in Spain.

A world of tradition, family recipes, strict variations, Valencian and Spanish culture, traditions, habits, methods…

Where is paella from?

The paella history started in Valencia, (east coast of Spain) making us, its inhabitants, very proud of it. This is the history of Paella Valenciana per se.

What Ingredients Are In a Paella?

There is a list of main ingredients for every sort of paella, whether it is seafood-based, meat paella, vegetarian, paella Valenciana… or a recent invention.

You will find the exact list of ingredients on each recipe’s page, as this will vary sensible depending on the type and style.

How to Make Paella?

That is the million question and there is no right answer because every paella recipe has its own method. However, I will show you the best and easiest way you can make paella.

Do you want to nail paella? Check out my method and quickly learn how to cook paella!

How to Pronounce Paella

Learn how to pronounce and spell paella in Spanish so you can look like you know what you are talking about 🙂 I know it can be a little demanding for nonSpanish speakers, but I will help you.

What to serve with paella?

Paella has to be the main character on the table, but there are many “friends” you can regularly see on Spanish tables when we make paella, like tapas (salad, Spanish croquettes, mussels…) . Learn what bread, desserts, or wines to accompany paella.

You might also be interested in:

• Jamie Oliver paella (improved version)
• Paella rice substitute
• Paella negra
• Paella tips and secrets
• Arroz al horno
• Paella recette (all the recipes in French)
• Paella-rezepte (all the recipes in German)