Vegetarian Food In Spain – 50 Best Spanish Vegetarian Dishes And Vegan Food In Spain

Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 08:23 am

Today we look at options for vegetarian food in Spain and vegan food in Spain for you to try best Spanish vegetarian dishes when you’re traveling. Read here best Spanish food and best breakfast in Spain

Vegetarian in Spain and vegan in Spain is easily accessible – there are even so many store brands offering you easy and accessible vegetarian food in Spain. Let’s explore those options for plant-based food in Spain below.

Spanish food is known to be some of the best cuisines and is sought out in the world, so there’s no reason for you not to enjoy exemplary vegetarian food in Spain while traveling Spain, which is one of the most visited countries not just in Europe, and the whole world.

Read Spanish sim card for tourist, Biggest Mistakes when moving to Spain, 30 things you should know before visiting Spain, our budget travel in Spain. Also Instagrammable places in Barcelona, places to visit in Madrid, Seville airport to city center and Instagrammable places in Spain!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki

VEGETARIAN FOOD IN SPAIN: 50 BEST SPANISH VEGETARIAN DISHES AND VEGAN FOOD IN SPAIN

Plant-based Food in Spain – Vegetarian Food in Spain Options

Vegan Food in Spain – Is it hard to be a vegan in Spain and vegetarian in Spain? The answer is a happy no, it’s actually easy!

We understand that Spain is popular for its tapas and Jamon Serrano (we love them too!) and these are what Spain is known for around the world. However, as a Mediterranean country, Spain has amazing vegan salads as well, and the infamous Paella can easily be turned into a vegan Spanish dish or a vegetarian Spanish dish.

Let’s look at Spanish plant-based dishes and how you can enjoy your travel in Spain with a vegetarian or vegan diet. Let’s start with some vegan tapas in Spain:

Tapas in Spain – Vegetarian And Vegan Food in Spain

Tapas is a typical food in Spain that you eat in small servings or small bites in bars and restaurants. Drinking is a typical social thing in Spain and having tapas while enjoying your cold beer in Spain is a classic thing to do.

So let’s look at some of Spain’s top served tapas and how you can enjoy vegetarian food in Spain and other plant based food in Spain options for you.

1. Croquetas

Croquetas, one of the most popular Spanish classic “tapas”, can be easily enjoyed as a vegetarian food in Spain, and even a vegan food in Spain.

A Couple of croquetas versions that you will love:

• Wild mushroom croquettes (croquetas de setas)
• Made with a strong blue cheese (croquetas de cabrales)
• Roquefort cheese and walnut (croquetas de Roquefort y nuez)
• Spinach and pine nuts (croquetas de espinacas y pinones)

2. Patatas Bravas

Patatas bravas, also called as “brave potatoes,” one of Spain’s most popular tapas and a must-try. These are little, fried potato bits with a heavy covering of spicy red sauce. A creamy garlic sauce may be included in some variations. It can served as a tapa fried potatoes with spicy sauce called bravas or with mayonnaise. Rachel loved it so much! 

3. Aceitunas

Aceitunas or olives is just something you can easily have snacking on or part of your drinks, and it’s never a full meal of course, but it’s a nice addition to your tapas and good weather.

4. Berenjenas Fritas (Fried Eggplant) — Vegan

Eggplants are some of the easiest vegetables to find in Spain, so Berenjenas Fritas is something you can easily cook at home, or find in local restaurants. Easily a delicious vegetarian meal in Spain and vegan dish in Spain.

5. Pimientos asados

Oooh, another easy tapas snack good partner for an afternoon and evening of delicious beer.

6. Champiñones salteados

This is without a doubt my favorite vegetarian tapas recipe. Gigantic wild mushrooms are tossed onto a hot grill and served sizzling in garlicky olive oil and parsley. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a glass of bold Rioja red wine!

7. Alcachofas salteadas

Sauteed artichoke hearts is another snack and easy tapas any time of the day.

8. Espárragos salteados

Fully vegan sauteed asparagus, easy to have it on its own as a vegetarian or a partner of different dishes on a beautiful afternoon or evening in Spain. Vegan food in Spain is very easy to come by, even if the country is popular for its really good meat so you shouldn’t have less of an experience in Spain with its good food in this diet.

9. Espinacas con garbanzos

Espinacas con garbanzos or spinach with chickpeas is another popular tapas, this one more popular in Seville.

10. Escalivada

Escalivada – A mix of roasted red peppers, eggplant and onions is nice mix of tapas and very easy to have or request, whether you’re making it on your own or having it in a restaurant.

11. Espinacas con pasas

Espinacas con pasas – Spinach with raisins, often also served with pine nuts (piñones) – also a good one.

12. Patatas a la campesina

Patatas a la campesina – Potatoes in a tomato sauce with onions and bell peppers – how can you not just love this?

13. Pimientos de Padrón

Pimientos de Padrón – Pimientos de Padrón are small, bright green peppers that come from the municipality of Padrón in Galicia, in the northwest part of Spain.

Padron peppers are a variety of Spanish pepper native to the Galician municipality of Padron. Padron peppers are usually small, measuring around 5 cm (2 inches) in length and varying in hue from brilliant green to golden green to red. What makes padron peppers unique is that only around 10% to 25% of them are inherently fiery, while the remainder are moderate.

Spanish Vegetarian Dishes

Now let’s look at some of Spain’s most popular dishes with the vegetarian twist.

15. Paella – Vegetarian food in Spain

A vegetarian Paella is a very delicious way to enjoy one of Spain’s most popular dishes with the vegetarian diet. And instead of adding seafood to the dish, the delicious taste can come from a mix of vegetable stock and chickpeas and with a delicious

16. Tortilla de Patatas

Another of Spain’s popular dishes, which is also easily done at home. You can have it any time of the day, and it can be a snack or enjoyed as a full dish by itself as it’s definitely really filling.

17. Espárragos Con Huevos (Asparagus With Eggs)

Asparagus is a delicious vegetable and with this, you can easily enjoy this delicious dish.

18. Pisto Con Huevo (Ratatouille With Fried Egg) — Vegan-Adaptable

Pisto is basically slow-cooked vegetables (onion, pepper, eggplant, and tomato) that break down into a sort of chunky sauce. Spanish locals usually fry an egg to their liking and plop it on top.

19. Zanahorias Aliñadas (Marinated Carrots) —Vegetarian Food in Spain

This has to be one of my favorite vegetarian tapas in all of Spain. Really easy to make with carrots, which is an easy crop to find everywhere in the Mediterranean.

The trick is to parboil the carrots so that they are just tender, but not at all mushy. Then it’s just high-quality extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, garlic, cumin, and other herbs and spices. A day or two in the fridge only adds to their flavor.

21. Gazpacho (Cold Tomato And Vegetable Soup) — Vegan In Spain

Gazpacho is originally from Andalusia, although Spaniards throughout the country enjoy it year-round. (In fact, ask anyone and they’ll tell you it’s the BEST hangover cure on the market!)

Whether eaten in a bowl as a cold soup or sipped from a glass of vegetable juice, gazpacho is one of the healthiest and most refreshing vegetarian tapas.

23. Ajo Blanco (Chilled Almond Soup) — Vegan

Ajo Blanco is another cold soup originating in Andalusia. (Go there in the summer and you’ll realize why they have so many cold soups!)

It is a creamy and delicious blend of almonds, bread, olive oil, garlic, salt, and water, usually served with grapes or melon cubes on top.

24. Tombet (Mallorcan Ratatouille) — Vegan-Adaptable

If you’re a fan of pisto, you’ll love tombet (also spelled tumbet). This Mallorcan take on the Spanish classic involves thinly sliced eggplant, red peppers, and potatoes, stacked and roasted to perfection. Top it with a garlicky tomato sauce and you have a veggie delight! 

Vegan adaptation: Double-check that the tombet you ordered doesn’t come with a topping of eggs or cheese and order sin huevo and/or sin queso in order to make it vegan.

25. Salmorejo (Andalusian Chilled Tomato Soup) — Vegan-Adaptable

Something that surprises a lot of visitors to Spain is that gazpacho is usually drunk from a glass, not eaten from a bowl. If the idea of drinking cold tomato soup sounds too weird for you, go for salmorejo!

This Andalusian classic is a summer staple, given that it doesn’t need any cook time at all. Just blend together fresh tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, vinegar (optional), and day-old bread for a refreshing vegetarian tapas dish.

It’s worth keeping in mind that salmorejo is traditionally garnished with bits of diced hardboiled egg and cured ham. However, you can eliminate either of the above by asking for it sin jamón (no jamon) and sin huevo (no huevo).

26. Patatas Bravas (Potatoes In “Bravas” Sauce) — Vegan-Adaptable – Vegetarian Food in Spain

Patatas bravas is a dish you’ll see on every tapas menu in Spain! Unfortunately, most of the time it’s not done well. All too often you get served soggy potatoes with bad ketchup and mayo.

That’s not patatas bravas.

When done well, patatas bravas are crispy, with a bravas sauce full of spice and umami and fresh garlic alioli. Make sure to research where the good ones are before you order them!

27. Calçots Con Salsa Romesco (Spring Onions With Romesco Sauce) — Vegan

Visit Catalonia in winter and you’ll see locals gobbling up (very early) spring onions lie they were…well, like they were anything other than onions!

Calçots are a type of local onion grown specially to be extra sweet and fleshy, perfect for a barbecue. Enjoy them whole alongside plenty of nutty romesco sauce. You can use any sweet onion if you’re not in Catalonia!

28. Fruta Fresca (Fresh Fruit) — Vegan

Okay, so this isn’t only Spanish and you’re probably asking yourself why I would include it. Well, here in Spain many restaurants have fresh fruit on their printed menu as a dessert option. Depending on the season I’ve seen mandarin oranges, watermelon, green melon, peach slices, strawberries and cream, and grapes.

You might think you’d prefer a slice of cake until you try the fruit! I’m always shocked at how delicious seasonal fruit is here. It (almost) deserves to be called a dessert!

29. Lentil Salad — Vegan

Lentil soup with chorizo is a staple of the Spanish diet, but refreshing (and plant-based!) lentil salad has quickly become one of the most popular vegetarian recipes in Spain. Fresh, bright vegetables, perfectly cooked lentils, and a zesty dressing bursting with Spanish flavors make this an easy and healthy options everyone will love.

30. Winter Salad With Orange & Pomegranate — Vegan-Adaptable

Based on a traditional red cabbage salad served in Madrid around the holidays, this winter salad is always a winner. It uses easy-to-find seasonal products and an orange vinaigrette to tie it all together.

31. Sauteed Spinach With Pine Nuts & Raisins — Vegan

This tasty vegetarian tapas recipe from Catalonia is proof that when done right, spinach can be one of the most incredible things you’ll ever eat. Local products like golden raisins and toasted pine nuts really take this dish to the next level.

32. Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onion Pintxos

In this case, we’ve got a vegetarian pintxos recipe rather than a vegetarian tapas recipe! This tasty bite comes from the Basque Country and is as simple as it sounds: just crusty bread topped with soft goat cheese and sweet caramelized onions.

33. Patatas Alioli (Potatoes With Garlic Mayonnaise)

Last but not least is one of the absolute best vegetarian tapas recipes to enjoy on a sweltering summer day. You could think of patatas alioli as a sort of Spanish potato salad: perfectly boiled potatoes smothered in a garlicky alioli mayo and garnished with fresh parsley. So easy—yet so delicious!

Vegan Breakfast Dishes in Spain

34. Pan con Tomate / Tostada con Tomate

Bread rubbed with puréed ripe tomato, olive oil, and salt or garlic

35. Tostada con Mermelada

toasted baguette spread with jam long sticks of fried dough sprinkled with sugar

36. CHURROS

Churros are a delicious sweet snack made of hot fried dough covered in powdered sugar. They take on a lengthy, spiral shape, making them ideal for on-the-go snacking. These Churros are usually served with hot chocolate for breakfast at winter time with cold weather.

Vegan Salads in Spain – Vegetarian food in Spain that you’ll love to try

37. Ensalada mixta – vegetarian in Spain

Ensalada mixta – Mixed green salad, often served on a large platter in the centre of the table

38. Ensalada de pimientos

roasted peppers, onion, tomato and olive oil

39. Eensalada de zorongollos

Eensalada de zorongollos – An Extremaduran version of ensalada de pimientos made with a special type of pepper, and sometimes with potatoes

40. Ensalada de pepino

Ensalada de pepino – tomato, cucumber and onion salad

41. Ensalada verde tomate aliñado

Ensalada verde tomate aliñado – lettuce, tomato and onion salad tomato slices with salt, garlic and olive oil

42. ENSALADA RUSA (POTATO SALAD) – Vegetarian in Spain

Ensalada Rusa in Spain is the version of Russian salad. Ensalada rusa is made of beets, potatoes, eggs, and mayonnaise is a cold dish and perfect to have on summer days in Spain.

43. MEDITERRANEAN SALAD

A traditional Mediterranean Salad is one to not miss when you are in Spain. Very fresh and healthy with cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell peppers, onions, olives (of course), and cheese. You can add to the salad some olive oil, vinegar and salt.

44. BREAD WITH ALIOLI

Bread with alioli is made of garlic and mayonnaise sauce. As appetizer before lunch or dinner, bread with alioli is perfect to eat with olives while waiting for your main course. Rachel loved it so much dipping the bread with alioli sauce. The Bread with alioli is a perfect one in local bars and restaurants for €5-7.

Vegan and Vegetarian Brands in Spain to find in Stores and Supermarket

45. ICE CREAM by Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s is easily one of the most delicious and popular ice cream around the world, and it does help that its dairy free and vegan. Vegan is not only for people who prefer them as their diet of choice, but also especially for those with allergies with dairy. It’s hard to worry about how you can have a good time with a dessert so having Ben and Jerry’s an easy choice is something lovely!

46. VEGAN YOGURT by SojaSun

This vegetal soy bifidus comes in a 6 pack, and is a good source of protein and calcium. For anyone who likes yogurt, this is a good plant-based alternative.

You can even enjoy them with cereals, seeds, cacao, moringa, or any superfood you like adding to your regular yogurt.

47. Alpro Vegan Milk and other Products

Image via Wikimedia / Dianeira

Fortunately, at the supermarket, I found a lot of plant-based milks, and I chose to share this one made from soy. There are other options, including oat milk and almond milk, all vegan, of course.

Vegan milks are so varied, and you can use different sources for different purposes. For instance, I love using soy for cooking my oats, whereas I prefer oat milk for my coffee. Whichever you choose, they have a much lower environmental impact than cow’s milk.

48. MINI CRACKERS by Flor de Espelta

Here’s a snack option for you! You can take these mini crackers in your backpack while traveling around the gorgeous streets of Spain. They can also be dipped in vegan cheese or jam.

They are made of whole wheat (so not an option for celiacs or gluten-intolerant people), have a high content of fiber, extra virgin olive oil, and are organic.

49. VEGAN SAUSAGE by Vemondo

Vemondo keeps on being featured in this post; that’s because they offer a wide range of plant-based products. These ‘salchiveggies’ (a combination of the words ‘salchicha’, meaning ‘sausage’, and ‘veggie’), are made with tofu and are a good source of fiber and proteins. It also has several certifications, including the vegan one, Bio Organic, European Leaf, and the local Spanish certification.

50. BLACK OLIVE PATÉ by Conservas Calanda

This black olives paté, which was delicious, and is perfect for spreading it on toast, although you can eat it in many ways. This is a beloved traditional vegan product you should try when visiting Spain.

It doesn’t have any preservatives or colorants. What I like most about it is that it has only two ingredients: black olives from Teruel and salt.

Click here to get a discount with Klook for tours in Madrid and around!

BEST TIME TO VISIT IN SPAIN – Vegetarian Food in Spain

For beautiful weather in Spain, it is always lovely to visit from April to May, during the late spring. September to October or Spain’s early autumn is a good time, too, before the winter period, which can easily be too cold.

Click here to know more about the weather in Spain

Hope you liked our vegetarian food in Spain and vegan food in Spain read. Which one is your favorite in the list of Spanish vegetarian dishes? And vegan dishes in Spain?

Let us know which one is your favorite Spanish vegetarian food in the comments below. How do you find being vegetarian in Spain and being vegan in Spain?

Feel free to use our links for discounts. By using our links, you will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys. 

Happy Travels!