Spanish omelet with salsa sevillana

It doesn’t get any more Spanish than this, our Spanish omelet with salsa sevillana recipe. Regarded as Spain’s most popular dish among Spaniards, this one comes with a tasty sauce that derives from the city of Seville. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also an omelet you can have as a main for either lunch or dinner. Hearty, juicy, and with a warm and flavorful interior, it’s no wonder this dish is so often prepared in homes across its country of origin. Once ready, you can also cut it into small pieces so that it can be shared around the room as an appetizing snack at parties or large gatherings. 

Spanish omelet Vs regular omelet

The use of potatoes and sometimes onions gives the Spanish omelet a thicker texture so that it takes on an almost cake-like form. This makes it an ideal dish for sharing but also a highly satisfying, warm, and hearty meal that can be further enriched by additional ingredients. The regular omelet, on the other hand, consists of little more than a couple of eggs, giving it a thin texture and making it more suitable as a small breakfast or light appetizer. 

What to pair with Spanish omelet

In case you’re wondering what goes with Spanish omelet, we’ve got plenty of options. First and foremost, it’s worth knowing that Spanish omelet is tasty enough to consume on its own without the need for any side dishes or accompaniments. For variety and a well-rounded meal, however, here are some dishes that go well with our Spanish omelet recipe.

• Gambas al ajillo (garlicky shrimp)
• Cold soups like salmorejo or gazpacho
• Salad
• Croquettes
• Flash-fried padrón peppers
• French bread
• Garlic bread
• Pan con tomate (Catalonia’s famous tomato toast)
• Coleslaw

History of the Spanish omelet

In Spain, they call it ‘tortilla de patata”, meaning potato omelet, but this has nothing to do with the Latin American ‘tortilla’ which refers to the bread used in tacos.  One of the key ingredients in a Spanish omelet—potatoes—is not native to Spain at all. Potatoes were brought to Europe from South America in the 15th century during the time of the Spanish Empire. At first, Spaniards were not so keen on the new vegetable. It took over 200 years for potatoes to become a mainstay of Spanish cuisine. 

Where in Spain the Spanish omelet originated

The town of Villanueva de la Serena in the western region of Extremadura is credited with inventing the Spanish omelet we enjoy today. Sources from the area, dating back to 1798, reference the meal as a low-cost and easy means to feed large numbers of people.  In 2021, Villanueva de la Serena immortalized this claim to fame with a large monument of the dish, which features a metal fork rising 15 feet into the air. 

The difference between Spanish tortillas and Mexican tortillas

In Spain, tortilla refers to an omelet. Mexican tortillas are flatbreads normally made from corn, but sometimes with wheat. They are used as a basis for other foods, such as tacos. In other words, tortilla means omelet in Spain but is a type of bread in Latin America!