What Starter Goes With Paella? 8 DELISH Appetisers!
Nothing quite says summer sunshine like a delicious pan full of paella!
This classic Spanish dish combines rice, saffron, veggies, chicken, and plenty of beautifully fresh seafood to create a one-pot dish that will remind so many of us of sunny holidays and trips along the Mediterranean coastline.
Recreating this dish at home is fairly straightforward, and it might be something that you’re considering to remind you of happy family memories, or if you simply want to try something new for an upcoming dinner party.
But what starter goes with paella? This guide will help you with your menu planning and give you plenty of food for thought…
What starter goes with paella?
There are so many traditional Spanish delicacies that work so well as a starter for paella. They include Spanish meatballs, gazpacho, tortilla, croquettes, peppers, marinaded olives, and an easy tapas board.
There’s something that will suit even the fussiest of eaters, whilst still sticking with your Spanish theme. Here are my favourite recipes that you might want to try…
1. Albondigas (Spanish meatballs)
I love to serve Spanish meatballs as a starter when I’m making paella as a main course!
The flavours are a great contrast, and the combination of both pork and beef mince make for juicy, moist, flavoursome meatballs that everyone will love.
Prepare your meatballs and serve with a sprinkling of your favourite fresh herbs.
If you’re aiming for a fairly informal vibe, you could put your albondigas on a serving platter in the middle of the table and invite everyone to dig in and help themselves.
Some good quality sourdough bread would be a good addition to this starter, but be sure to keep portions small so nobody ruins their appetite ahead of the main event.
2. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a dish that’s widely enjoyed in Spain and Portugal, and it’s essentially a cold soup made from fresh veggies including ripe tomatoes, green pepper, cucumber, onion, and garlic.
As a starter for paella, it’s best served in small bowls or glasses and topped with diced apple, croutons, or even chopped hard boiled eggs.
The thought of a cold soup may seem a little strange if you’ve never tried it before, but it’s really light and refreshing which makes it perfect for warmer weather when you’re planning a hearty main course like paella.
3. Spanish tortilla
Spanish tortilla, or Spanish omelette as it’s sometimes called, is a traditional dish of egg, potatoes, and onion.
Though it often features on tapas menus, it’s also ideal as a fuss free starter that you can make ahead and simply refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Add small portions to a plate alongside a few green leaves and a dollop of tomato or chilli chutney.
If you can, plan to make enough tortilla so you can enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day.
It’s absolutely delicious when served with a side salad and a portion of French fries.
4. Croquetas de Jamón (Spanish croquettes)
You’ll need just 30 minutes and a handful of ingredients to make these beautiful and authentic Spanish croquettes.
You might be astonished to discover that this recipe doesn’t actually include any cheese.
It’s the traditional way of making them, and you’re probably wondering how the result is so creamy!
The secret is the béchamel sauce. It requires a little time and patience to make, but it’s well worth the effort.
You can use good quality ham that you prefer, but I like to try to source Serrano or Iberian if possible.
Using the finest ingredients really does make all the difference when it comes to simple recipes like this one.
5. Padron peppers
If you want to keep things nice and simple when it comes to what starter goes with paella, Padron peppers might be exactly what you’re looking for.
They require very little in the way of preparation or cooking skill, and just five minutes of cooking time.
You’ll simply fry the peppers in olive oil over a high heat until they’re wilted and blistered, and serve seasoned with sea salt.
They’re ideal for dipping, so you might want to add a couple of freshly made dips to the table to enjoy with drinks before you move on to your main course.
Some good suggestions include a garlic dip, and a tomato and red pepper dip.
(If you love Spanish food, you’ll also love checking out what to serve with patatas bravas!)
6. Stuffed and grilled vegetable bites
Paella is a carb heavy dish and it can be very filling, so you might decide that a light starter of grilled veggies is best for serving up at your Spanish themed dinner party. If this idea appeals, you should definitely check out this recipe for stuffed and grilled vegetable bites.
Threaded on to skewers, they’re perfect for a light bite before your main course, and the filling of ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil makes them feel elegant and sophisticated.
7. Marinaded olives and a jug of sangria
A jug of sangria is practically essential when it comes to serving up paella! It’s super easy to make your own with this sangria recipe that includes brandy, wine, lemonade, and plenty of fresh fruit.
I like to offer my guests a glass when they first arrive for a Spanish themed dinner party, alongside some marinaded olives. It’s an easy but really enjoyable way to get the evening started.
8. Easy tapas platter
If you can’t quite decide what starter you want to share and you love all the ideas that we’ve covered, why not go all out and create a tapas platter?
It can seem a little overwhelming, but there are plenty of easy choices to choose from that don’t require too much cooking time. A Spanish tortilla, for example, can be prepared in advance and served alongside no-prep options such as marinaded olives and dips.
The secret to creating a successful tapas spread is a little organisation! Do what you can before your guests arrive, and don’t be scared to use a few shortcuts to make life easier.
What to eat as a starter with paella
Paella is one of those dishes that has everything you need, from rice and veggies to protein and a ton of lovely sunshine flavour. If you’re planning a multiple course meal though, you might be looking for ideas for a starter for paella. My favourites include:
- Spanish meatballs
- Gazpacho
- Tortilla
- Ham croquettes
- Padron peppers
- Marinaded olives with sangria
- Easy tapas board
Want some more inspiration? Be sure that you head over and check out my guide to the best desserts to serve with paella too!
