My Spanish Omelette Recipe (Tortilla Española)

The Heart of Every Spanish Kitchen is the Spanish Omelette.

If there’s one dish that brings me right back to my childhood in Spain, it’s this one, and we call it tortilla española but has nothing to do with a taco! Golden, humble, and full of flavor, it’s the kind of recipe that lives in every household — passed from abuelas to mothers to daughters (and sons, of course), each with their own twist and each defending theirs is the best.

I remember standing on a chair in my grandmother’s kitchen, watching her carefully flip the tortilla pan — a sacred object that, like a ceremonial item, was never used for anything else. With nothing but a plate and years of practiced confidence, she performed what felt like a ritual only she could master. I was always terrified it would end up on the floor, but somehow, it never did. The smell of sweet, slow-cooked onions and potatoes gently frying in olive oil would fill the whole house, and I knew dinner would be something special — simple, and comforting

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Today, I want to share my version of the traditional Spanish omelette, along with tips and variations you can try at home. This dish is a great place to start my series of Spanish Tapas Recipes. It’s only made with 3 ingredients — but trust me, the magic lies in how you treat them.

What Is a Spanish Omelette?

The Spanish omelette (or tortilla de patatas) is a traditional Spanish dish made with potatoes, eggs, and often onions, cooked slowly and with care. Unlike a French omelette, this one is thick, hearty, and often enjoyed warm or cold, as breakfast, a tapa, main dish, or even tucked into a sandwich with mayo for the ultimate comfort food.

Making a Spanish omelette is a lesson in patience and love. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t need fancy ingredients. But when you get it right, it wraps you up like a memory — comforting, familiar, and delicious.

If you make it, let me know how it goes! And if you'd like to learn more about Spanish classics, check out my online course on Spanish Tapas — we dive into dishes just like this one, and I’d love to cook with you.