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Breakfast & Brunch | February 5, 2021

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

Spain is home to the famous Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)! This popular Spanish recipe is made with a few basic affordable ingredients found in most kitchens!

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

Spanish Staple food

If a sandwich is traditional American staple food, the Spanish Omelette is a favorite day to day staple for Spaniards!

Spanish Omelette is known by a few different names: Tortilla Espanola, Tortilla de Patatas, and even Spanish Tortilla.

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

There are technical differences in cooking methods between some of these dishes, but no matter what you call it, the basic ingredients and method of cooking are similar!

The first time I ate Spanish tortilla, I was with our daughter Brooke while she was living in Madrid as an English tutor. When in Spain, there are certain foods you have to try, Tortilla de Patata is high on the list!

Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola), is often served as a tapa (an appetizer or snack) on top of a sliced baguette.

“Tortilla” as it is affectionately called in Spain is usually served at room temperature, although I like to eat it while it is still barely warm!

(Tortilla Espanola)

History of the Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

Tortilla de Patata dates back to the 1600’s in Spain. It is said to have been fed to Spanish prisoners while held in Portugal for three years during a war! When the Spanish prisoners were released, they took the recipe (receta) with them back to Spain!

The other story widely shared has to do with potatoes, eggs and olive oil being plentiful and inexpensive in Spain dating back to the 1800’s and people of little means being able to fill up on this low cost potato omelette.

Tortilla is certainly a part of the history of Spain, and is found in almost every restaurant and made in many kitchens in the country.

Tortilla de Patatas

The secret to successfully making a Spanish Omelette

We have lived in Spain for over a year now, and I’ve made my share of Tortilla de Patata.

Spanish Omelette is most often called tortilla de patata by locals! When we first arrived, our friends Mari and her daughter Saray invited us over to show me how to make a meal of traditional Spanish and Mallorcan recipes.

I also received a video tutorial from another Spanish native, one of our missionary friends, Hermana Lopez!

Making Tortilla Espanola in Spain!

Keep the heat low!

The first and (in my opinion) most important tip to making a delicious authentic Spanish tortilla is keep the heat low.

The first few times I made a Spanish omelette, I turned the heat up too high and browned the potatoes, onion and also eggs.

This mistake is difficult to remedy if the potatoes and eggs are overcooked early in the cooking process!

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

Use olive oil to cook the potatoes

When making a proper Spanish omelette, the potatoes (or patatas) need to be cooked in olive oil.

Make sure to use extra virgin olive oil for best results. The potatoes cook in the oil for a considerable amount of time, and will absorb the oil, giving it a rich flavor.

cooking potatoes for Spanish omelette

Of course you can cook the potatoes in the oven and then just add to the omelette, but it will have a different texture and flavor than potatoes cooked using the traditional method in olive oil.

Using olive oil makes a huge difference in this recipe! If you have the option to purchase Spanish olive oil, it is usually less expensive than Italian (which may have been imported from Spain and had an Italian label place on) or Greek olive oils.

Spanish olive oil can be found online and at local grocers. Even Costco sells good quality Spanish olive oil for a reasonable price!

Look for the country of origin on the container. But honestly, olive oil from any country will work. Look for an olive oil that is light in color (it will be mild in flavor and also better for cooking). Also, side note, olive oil can be reused many times (for frying) if stored properly.

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

Can I make a Spanish omelette with less olive oil?

The answer is yes! This recipe is for the traditional method using 2-3 cups (or more) of oil to cook the potatoes.

Many people use way less oil when making a Spanish omelette. Even though olive oil is “healthy” oil, it is still oil.

I have had many people tell me they use about 1/2 cup of olive oil, sauté the potatoes and onion together on medium low then drain before proceeding. Great option, less oil and still good results!

Tortilla Espanola
Notice the consistency of the eggs and potatoes cooking in the top pan. The eggs are gently folded up from the bottom of the tortilla, until it is almost set.

How should I cut potatoes for Spanish Omelette?

Opinions are strong or “fuerte” about the proper making of Tortilla Espanola. Are you wondering if you should sliced or cube your potatoes?

I have tried both. Several times. At first, I thought I liked sliced potatoes better because the potatoes seemed softer and I like the texture of the tortilla when the potatoes seemed to melt in your mouth….

patatas for Spanish Omelette

Slice or dice?

I soon realized it is difficult to slice the potatoes and cook them for just the right amount of time, without the potatoes sticking together.

If you slice the potatoes too thin, they stick together. If they are sliced too thick, they don’t really work well in the tortilla.

I do not recommend the use of a mandolin because I think the potatoes tend to turn out too thin.

Potatoes for Spanish Omelette

I finally settled on dicing or cubing as the best method. The first time my friends taught me to make tortilla, they cubed and I think this is the easiest way to achieve a consistent result, especially for a beginner!

That said, I like it both ways, sliced or cubed… It is really a matter of personal preference. For cubes, try to keep the size consistent so they cook uniformly. I try to keep my potato cubes at about 1/2 inch.

Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

What should the egg to potato ratio be in a Spanish Omelette recipe?

I have experimented with many different amounts of eggs and potatoes in the past year. My first mistake was adding too many potatoes to the mixture.

The problem with trying to load the omelette with a lot of potatoes- the omelette needs a certain amount of egg to hold the potatoes together. If the ratio of potatoes to eggs is too high, the omelette will not stay uniform when cut and may seem dry, even when it is not overcooked.

I look for the eggs to just lose the wet look and cook enough to begin to hold the omelette together before turning.

It is probably worth mentioning that in some areas of Spain, Tortilla de Patata is intentionally served runny. Meaning, the egg is not cooked all the way and after it is turned out of the pan onto the plate, the egg oozes out of the side of the omelet. Yikes.

Tortilla de Patatas tapas

Milk added to eggs in Spanish Omelette

My friend Mari suggests adding milk to the eggs when making Tortilla de Patata . I experimented with, and without milk in the egg mixture.

In the end, I think a small amount of milk results in a better finished product. Milk is not usually found in most Tortilla de Patata recipes!

You can skip it and add an extra egg instead if you like. Many of the missionaries who have eaten tortilla all over Spain say Mari’s is the best!

As you can see in the photo below, the milk definitely lends itself to a lighter colored Tortilla Espanola!

How to make Authentic Tortilla Espanola
This is in Mari’s kitchen, notice the light color of her Tortilla de Patata!

Teflon Pans are highly recommended for this recipe. While I understand teflon was not around back in the 15th century, it is readily available today and will give you an advantage when making your modern day Spanish omelette!

I recommend a 9-9.5 inch pan for cooking a tortilla that is just right in size. You will also need a plate for inverting the cooked omelette. Make sure your plate is a little larger than your teflon pan. This is very important!

In some areas of Spain, the tortilla is cooked in a smaller pan, probably closer to an 8 inch pan and the omelette is much thicker and usually more brown than I have seen on Mallorca.

Spanish Omelette
This is Mari’s finished tortilla, made with milk…

To brown or not to brown your Spanish Omelette?

Another point of debate on the authentic Spanish Tortilla is to brown or not to brown the outside of the omelette. Most are in agreement that the potatoes and (if using) onion should not be browned while cooking, but the color of the outside of the omelette is a matter of preference.

Since most Spanish cooks I have talked to say do not brown the outside too much, I try to keep the color light. Also, I prefer my eggs to be more on the soft side, so I keep the heat low and the outside of the Spanish Omelette light in color.

The photos on this post were taken during many sessions making this authentic Spanish Omelette or Tortilla Espanola. As you can see, the color differs quite a bit depending on how long it is left in the pan, if milk is used or not, and the temperature of the stovetop.

Spanish tortilla
This tortilla is made without milk added

Is there onion in Tortilla Espanola?

This may be the most highly debated topic when sharing recipes for Tortilla Espanola. I personally love onion included in my tortilla.

Some people throw in garlic, greens, a bit of jamon, cheese, you name it, people have tried it.

Purists say Tortilla de Patatas should only include potatoes, egg and salt. The beauty of this recipe is you can adapt your Spanish tortilla to include what you like!

How to make Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

  • Chop the onion and potatoes
  • Cook the potatoes, add onion after about 10 minutes
  • Beat eggs and milk together in bowl
  • Drain cooked potatoes and onion, add to egg mixture in bowl
  • Cook eggs and potatoes, gently folding to cook egg
  • Flip Spanish omelette onto a plate
  • Slide back into pan
  • Cook for a few more minutes until egg is done, flip back onto a plate

Traditional Mallorcan meal
A typical Mallorcan meal including Tortilla de Patata

This authentic Spanish Omelette recipe is one you will love! It is easy on the budget, filling and delicious.

Once you get the hang of it, it is really easy to make! Here in Spain, it is most often served with a baguette and a simple salad. I suggest serving your Tortilla de Patatas with Gorgonazola Pecan Crunch Salad and our favorite bread recipe. Let me know if you try our Authentic Spanish Omelette!

5 from 1 vote
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Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

This classic Spanish omelette is made of potatoes, egg and onion and is a basic staple in most Spanish homes! It is also called Tortilla de Patata or Tortilla Espanola. Easy to make and enjoy for any meal or snack during the day!

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, brunch, Dinner
Cuisine spanish
Keyword Spanish Omelette, Tortilla de Patata, Tortilla Espanol
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
cool time, minimum 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white or yellow onion diced
  • 2 cups extra virgin olive oil see recipe post for suggestions
  • 4 1/2 cups peeled Yukon Gold* potatoes cut into chunks about 1/2 inch or sliced
  • 8 eggs 2 cups beaten egg
  • 1/2 cup milk I use skim, any type will work
  • sea salt to taste I use about 1 1/2 teaspoons

Instructions

Cook the potatoes and onion:

  1. Heat 2 cups of olive oil in a non-stick pan (12 inches) over medium heat. After about 5 minutes, test the oil by carefully placing a piece of potato in the heated oil. The pan of oil should continue to bubble, but not turn the potato golden. If the oil is too hot, turn down the heat and remove the pan from the burner for a few minutes. Remember, low and slow!

  2. Carefully place the remaining potatoes into the pan a few at a time until all potatoes are in the pan. Cook potatoes on medium to med-low heat for about 10 minutes. Add the chopped onion to the pan. Continue to cook the potatoes and onions. The potatoes should be soft, but not breaking apart. The oil should continue to bubble while the potatoes are cooking. Use a spatula or spoon to gently move the potato and onion around while cooking to prevent browning. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons salt over potatoes while cooking. The proces sof potatoes cooking usually takes about 20 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, crack eggs into a medium size bowl. Whisk and measure to about 2 cups of beaten egg. The measurement of eggs does not need to be exact, a little less or more than 2 cups is fine! Add 1/2 cup of milk to eggs, whisk again and set aside.

  4. When the potatoes are soft and the outside of the potatoes begin to blister a bit, remove from oil using a slotted spoon. Let the excess oil drain off the potatoes, back into the pan. Place the hot cooked potatoes and onion directly into the bowl of egg mixture. Gently fold together. Set aside. It is fine if the eggs begin to cook a bit from the heat of the potatoes.

Cook Omelette:

  1. Heat a 9- 9 1/2 inch skillet over medium-low heat. Place a tablespoon of oil over the bottom and side of the pan. You can also do this using a paper towel to spread the oil around.

  2. Once the pan is heated, pour the egg and potato mixture into the pan. Let sit for a few seconds, then begin to fold the egg and potatoes gently from the bottom of the pan toward the middle of the pan. Remember to keep the heat on low, to medium-low heat, just enough to cook, but not brown the egg. Repeat about every 30 seconds. Taste a bit of the cooked egg to see if more salt is needed. This step takes about 5 minutes on medium low heat.

  3. The pan of eggs and potatoes will begin to take shape and look like scrambled eggs with potato chunks (see photos in recipe post), but should still look a bit wet. Using the spatula, shape the edges of the tortilla so the egg and potato begin to come together. This process takes about and additional 5 minutes. It will vary depending on the size of pan used and amount of heat.

  4. Turn the heat to low and cook for about 2-3 minutes more, while gently patting together the edges of the omelette. The omelette will still be a little wet, but not a lot of runny egg left in the pan. It will be similar to an omelette with a bit of a jiggly texture.

Invert omelette and finish cooking

  1. Using a plate that is larger than the diameter of the frying pan, place the plate over the pan and carefully flip the pan with the omelette over onto the plate and remove the pan.

  2. Place the pan back on the stove and add a tablespoon of oil back into the pan.Heat the pan for a minute on medium low. When the pan is warm, slide the omelette back into the pan.

  3. The top of the omelette should now be on the bottom of the pan. Let the omelette cook for about another 3-5 minutes on low heat. Using the spatula, reshape the edges of the omelette again, genlty pressing the edges of the omelette together to hold shape.

  4. After the omelette is done, remove pan from heat. Let the pan sit for a couple of minutes off of the heat. Repeat the process of flipping the omelette back onto the plate.

  5. Let cool (this will help the tortilla to hold its shape) for at least 30 minutes before serving. In Spain the tortilla is served at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

  • Allow 1 hour start to finish, and then cool time. The first few times I made tortilla de patata, I tried to hurry through. Patience is the key to success with this recipe. Tortilla is best served after it has cooled. Most Spaniards make it early in the day and eat it for dinner at around 10 pm! 
  • The oil needs to be hot enough to cook the potatoes without browning. If the heat is too low the potatoes will taste greasy. Make sure to add the potatoes a few at a time to the pan of oil so the oil temperature is not reduced too much at one time! 
  • In Spain the potatoes are not called Yukon Gold’s but I believe Yukon Gold are the closest thing we have in the States to the preferred yellow potato in Spain.
  • Do not add more than the amount of potato called for  in the recipe or the omelette will not hold together! The ratio in this recipe is perfect for a tortilla that stays firm after slicing!
  • You may add other items to this tortilla for variation:  jamon, chorizo, red onion, garlic, cheese… the possibilities are endless.  
  • Refrigerate any leftovers. 

6 thoughts on “Authentic Spanish Omelette (Tortilla Espanola)

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  1. I am so excited to see this recipe! My husband and I went to Madrid in 2019 (Oh the days when we could travel the world…..) and I have been dreaming of the Spanish Tortillas ever since! I can’t wait to try this!! Sounds like the perfect Sunday brunch!

  2. Si,
    Whilst visiting Basque Country before the world turned upside down, I fell in love with TdE. I am so excited you shared this recipe as I have had it on my menu for 3 weeks now but never felt great about the recipes I found. I will make this one. HOWEVER, it was often served with a very simple but delicious tomato condiment. When I did a search I discovered it was only grated fresh tomatoes but when I made it, even with beautiful tomatoes, it was just not the same. Maybe you could ask all your Spanish foody friends the secrets of this side? Please oh please. Thank you.

    1. Hi Amy,
      I hope we are able to get to the Basque Country before our mission ends, I have heard it is beautiful! I think you are referring to “sofrito” it is a condiment or often used as a cooking aid in many recipes. It is made with garlic, onion, tomatoes, Anaheim pepper (here they call this pepper an Italian pepper) paprika and parsley. I will try to post a recipe soon. It is kept in the fridge and used in many dishes including paella. I hope this helps!
      xo
      Si

  3. 5 stars
    I learned to make these omelette/tortilla from a friend from Spain but didn’t take notes as well as I should have. This recipe is delicious and a total staple when we have friends over that have lived in Spain.