Tortilla Española
Few dishes demonstrate the beauty of simple ingredients better than tortilla española. Potatoes are gently cooked in olive oil, combined with seasoned eggs, then cooked and flipped until golden outside and tender inside. The ingredients are simple; mastering the technique is what makes this dish special.
Directions
1. Prep the Potatoes
Cut the potatoes in half, then slice into 1/4-inch-thick wedges. Rinse well, drain, and pat dry. Rinsing removes excess surface starch, while drying removes moisture that can cause the oil to foam excessively.
2. Cook the Potatoes & Prepare the Eggs
Add the olive oil and potatoes to a 10-inch pan, then turn the heat to medium. Cook, moving the potatoes occasionally to ensure even cooking. The oil should be bubbling, but not furiously. While the potatoes cook, beat the eggs with 1½ teaspoons salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Continue cooking the potatoes for roughly 20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
3. Drain & Combine
Once the potatoes are fork-tender, carefully drain them in a colander set over a heat-safe bowl, reserving the olive oil. Let the potatoes cool briefly—they should still be quite warm, but not so hot that they immediately cook the eggs. Add them to the beaten eggs and gently combine, taking care not to break up the potatoes.
4. Cook the First Side
Heat the pan over medium heat with 2 teaspoons of the reserved olive oil. Add the potato-and-egg mixture and stir gently with a rubber spatula, shaking the pan occasionally to help everything cook evenly. As the tortilla begins to set, gently fold the edges inward, allowing uncooked egg to reach the surface of the pan. It is ready to flip when the edges and bottom are firmly set and the tortilla moves as one piece when you gently shake the pan. The top should still look wet and undercooked.
5. Flip the Tortilla
Turn off the heat. Place a plate over the pan like a lid; the plate should completely cover the pan and ideally be slightly larger. Working over the sink, hold the plate firmly against the pan with one hand and confidently flip the pan over, catching the tortilla on the plate.
6. Cook the Second Side
Return the pan to the burner over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the reserved olive oil. Carefully slide the tortilla from the plate back into the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Check for doneness by gently pressing the center—it should spring back and should no longer feel loose or watery.
7. Check & Serve
If desired, flip the tortilla once more to check the browning and cook a little longer if needed. Once satisfied, use the plate-and-flip method one final time to transfer the tortilla to a serving plate. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Tortilla española is one of the most common tapas—or pintxos—you'll encounter in Spain. There are regional variations, including the endlessly debated question of whether it should contain onion. Personally, I prefer my tortilla sin cebolla, but in some parts of Spain, saying that out loud can earn you some funny looks.
In my experience eating tortilla across Spain, it's very common for restaurants and tapas bars to make their tortillas ahead and warm individual portions in the microwave—affectionately known in restaurant kitchens as “Chef Mike.” So don't worry about serving your tortilla straight from the pan. It's excellent at room temperature and reheats remarkably well.
Paul's Tips
Two cups may seem like a lot, but most of it is drained off after cooking the potatoes—it isn't wasted. There's no need to use your best extra-virgin olive oil here; a good everyday olive oil is perfect. Once cooled, strain the oil into a jar and save it for pan-roasting potatoes or your next tortilla.