Paella is a Spanish dish that’s made up of rice, meat, seafood, and vegetables.
It’s traditionally served with a squeeze of lemon juice, but side dishes add depth to the meal and make it more complete.
To help you with your paella-making endeavors, here are what to serve with paella dishes.
The flavor profiles may vary from recipe to recipe, but one thing remains true: Paella goes great with these sides!
1. Veggie Crudités
Are you wondering what to serve with paella? Start your meal with veggie crudités on the table or as an appetizer.
Provide carrots, celery sticks, peppers (in colors), cucumbers, and radishes.
These are relatively cheap, easy to prepare, and add a healthy touch to any dinner.
Veggie Crudités offers whole veggie crudités such as carrots, celery sticks, peppers (in colors), cucumbers, and radishes.
This is a great way to not only have an assortment of fruits and vegetables on the table but also ensure a healthy intake for anyone in attendance!
2. Green Sala
One simple and satisfying side dish for paella is a green salad. To make it, mix baby arugula, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until the lettuce is lightly coated.
You can also serve it with tomato, cucumber slices, or salsa if you want more flavor. This is what to serve with paella.
One tasty version of this dish is cilantro lime shrimp tossed in a citrusy dressing. It includes jalapeno pepper, garlic cloves, orange juice, lime juice, and cilantro.
Ensure the shrimp is thoroughly cooked before serving it with the salad; otherwise, it will be rubbery and inedible.
3. Baked Hash Browns
What to serve with paella dishes? Hash browns or wedges of baked potatoes would make excellent side dishes for paella because they are perfect for slurping up any leftover rice and saffron-flavored broth.
If you serve this as a main course, add a splash of milk, chopped chives, and paprika.
Recipe: potatoes, egg, butter, salt, water, zest of one lemon (optional). Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
So, peel and grate potatoes or process them in a food processor until the desired consistency is reached.
Transfer grated potatoes into a medium bowl, season with salt, and mix well. Add the egg and two tablespoons of butter and mix well again.
4. Broccoli Salad
Paella is a beautiful dish, but deciding what to serve with paella may be one of the trickiest things to do right.
A flavorful, fresh salad is a terrific option to give your main dish more variety.
I adore this recipe for broccoli salad and think steaming rather than boiling it makes it taste fresher.
5. Caesar Salad
Roman cooking teaches that the true flavor of a dish can only be revealed when all its various ingredients are combined. The same principle is applied to a traditional Caesar salad.
Romaine lettuce acts as the base and is coated in classic Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and shavings of parmesan cheese.
6. Bread
There are endless delicious pieces of bread that go well with any dish.
The most common ones are baguettes, ciabatta bread, and a dense sourdough loaf. If you want to serve them with paella, choose any of these breads.
7. Butternut Squash Soup
It is great if you like pairing something hearty and savory to balance out the flavors in the dish.
This soup can also be made beforehand to be ready whenever needed.
It’s also versatile enough to enjoy on its own or add toppings like chopped kale, feta cheese crumbles, or basil for some variety.
If you are wondering what to serve with paella, bread is one of the most common solutions.
8. Fried Sweet Plantain Slices
What to serve paella with? Deep-fried sweet plantain slices make for a crispy, decadent side dish for paella.
You can also serve them alongside other Spanish dishes like tortilla española or bacalao.
These fries are made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker, so they’ll be done faster than you could fry potatoes!
It’s all about the technique. We must first slice them lengthwise to get that crispy exterior on the plantains.
Be sure not to peel them first; otherwise, they won’t crisp up as nicely in the hot oil.
Once sliced lengthwise, cut each plantain crosswise into 1/2-inch strips, each approximately 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.
9. Fried Pimientos De Padron
Known as the Spanish version of chips and salsa. Fried Pimientos de Padron is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a Spanish meal.
Like anything deep-fried, these bite-sized potatoes are addictive. I dare you not to eat more than three!
Slice the Pimiento de Padron horizontally in half lengthwise, like two hamburger buns. (This will make it easier for them to be coated evenly).
Mix some flour, salt, pepper, and about half a cup of water in a bowl until the mix is barely liquid.
It has reached a dough-like consistency (you’ll want it pretty thick so that the batter coats all sides of the potato slices evenly).
10. Roasted Red Peppers
Adding roasted peppers to your paella is a fantastic way to spice it up without worrying too much about the flavors.
You can prefer to blend mild, medium, and hot peppers for a side dish. And roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes at 220C or 400F.
This gives the food a deliciously smoky, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the rest. It allows you to get creative with different toppings.
Slice an equal amount of red bell peppers into two-inch pieces, place them in a baking pan, and drizzle olive oil over them until they’re well coated.
Roast the peppers in a 350-degree oven for 25 minutes or until their edges blacken.
Here’s how they’re made: Slice the tops off two or three bell peppers. Remove the seeds with your fingers or scoop them out with a spoon.
11. Cheese and Olive Platter
Cheese and an olive platter are The perfect side dishes for a Spanish meal like paella.
To prepare this appetizer, grab a plate—any shape or size will do. Place several cheese slices on the plate (any kind will do) and olives around the cheese.
A thin slice of tomato can be added as well if desired. The goal is to add color and flavor to what might otherwise be a plain dish.
This not only spruces up your presentation but also allows you to use items you may have left over from other dishes being served.
This is what to serve with paella if you ever want to try something new.
12. Toasted Marcona Almonds
The almonds that usually accompany paella are called Marcona and are a close relative of the almond.
Toasted Marcona almonds are your best pick if you are wondering what to serve with paella.
They hail from the Marques region of Spain, where they have been popular since the 18th century.
This tradition has spread worldwide and can be found in most grocery stores under their Spanish name or generic almonds.
Typically, these almonds are bought raw and then toasted in a dry pan until they brown on one side.
13. Potato Frittata
Paella is a rice dish that originated in Valencia, Spain. A traditional Valencian paella consists of rice (often bomba or calasparra) and diced vegetables.
Tomatoes, green beans, garlic, onion, red bell pepper; seafood; or meat such as chicken or rabbit.
And simmered in iced water with olive oil until the liquid evaporated. Potato frittata is what to serve with paella.
14. Fried Shrimp
This recipe for fried shrimp uses fairly common kitchen ingredients and can be made quickly and inexpensively.
Start by melting a tablespoon of butter in a skillet on medium heat to simplify it.
Then, add two cups of water and bring it to a boil. Meanwhile, set up an ice bath next to the stove.
Get ready: three eggs (beaten) and 1/2 cup flour mixed in another bowl.
Add one teaspoon of salt when the water boils and pour in all the egg mixtures slowly.
While stirring continuously until a solid layer has formed on top, turn off the heat and transfer it all onto a tray lined with paper towels or cheesecloth.
15. Toasted Bread Slices
This isn’t the most authentic way of eating paella, but who can resist a few pieces of hot toast?
Use thick-cut slices from a rustic country loaf for the toast and sprinkle them with chopped parsley.
You can also put out a pot of traditional garlic butter for dipping.
16. Garlic Soup
If you have extra time on your hands, make this classic dish that’s traditionally served with seafood dishes.
It’s easy to boil water and toss in lots of minced garlic cloves (the more, the better!).
Let it simmer for 10 minutes, then strain it into another pot or bowl.
Put out some croutons or garlic breadsticks to accompany it! This is your best bet if you are looking for what to serve with paella.
17. Griddled Asparagus Spears
This is another quick and simple side dish that pairs well with paella. If you ever need something to serve with it, this is what to do.
Griddling asparagus spears can enjoy nutrient-rich fresh spring veggies overflowing with flavor.
However, you may serve yours with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar and freshly ground black pepper.
You can choose whatever variety you like. Cut a thick slice of baguette or country loaf on the diagonal.
Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and place bread in the pan.
Put asparagus spears on top of bread, brush them with olive oil, and regularly turn until they are browned on both sides (about 3 minutes). Drizzle some balsamic vinegar over them and serve!
18. Grilled Mushrooms
Whether you’re vegetarian or vegan, mushrooms are the perfect option if you are wondering what to serve with paella. Grilling is a quick and easy way to make your own grilled mushrooms.
You can prepare them on the grill using just salt and pepper for seasoning. For an extra kick of flavor, use olive oil as well.
You can also roast them in the oven by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. And roasting at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time.
19. Pickled Onions
In Spain, it’s traditional for people who eat paella to gather together and bring side dishes. What you choose to bring is up to you.
But the dish must be something that can be kept out at room temperature for long periods.
Fresh-cut fruit like melons and grapes are perfect for this because they don’t spoil easily. This is what to serve with a paella dish.
20. Fried Rice
If you can’t decide what to serve as a side dish for your paella, fried rice is a safe bet.
The best thing about fried rice is that it’s such an easy dish. It can also be made in bulk, so you’ll have leftovers for tomorrow, too!
You will need the following ingredients: eggs, rice, water, and salt. Also, onion (chopped), red pepper (chopped), sesame oil, and soy sauce.
Pour your sesame oil into the pan and cook the onion until golden brown. Add the red pepper and cook it until soft and tender but not mushy.
21. Crema Catalana
Paella is one of the most versatile dishes in the world, and there are many different recipes for it.
A savory Spanish dish, paella originates in coastal areas like Valencia and Alicante, where the seafood is plentiful.
In North America, Paille is usually made with chicken and vegetables. Still, many other variants exist worldwide, such as African Paella, Chinese Paella Rice, or a paellera mixta including fish and shellfish.
22. Flan
Creamy flan is the perfect dessert to serve with Spanish paella. It’s also a great way to add some color contrast and additional sweetness and creaminess that cuts through the dish’s richness.
23. Tortilla Española
Made from eggs, potatoes, olive oil, onion, and salt in a frying pan over medium heat.
It will last about 20 minutes until it begins to brown on one side. This is what to serve with a paella dish.
24. Gilda’s Potato Salad
Roasted potatoes are tossed in paprika, then boiled in water and mixed with garlic cloves.
After this point, you can take them out of the water or cook them until they are done, depending on your preference. Garlic shrimp: Serve alongside the paella and taste it all together!
25. Tiramisu
It’s yet another dessert that’s simple to prepare yet difficult to mess up. We adore tiramisu because it is so decadent, creamy, and tasty.
It also makes a wonderful meal-ending dessert. It’s one of our go-to desserts for family gatherings because it’s portable, and a little bit goes a long way.
- Make sure your hands are clean before starting.
- Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and mascarpone cheese in a large bowl until creamy
- Stir in the vanilla extract and instant coffee powder until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Stir one-third of the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture, then gently fold in the remaining two-thirds
26. Sorbet
Similar to ice cream but without dairy is sorbet. It has a texture comparable to fruit but sweeter, making it incredibly cool. Citrus and pineapple juice are used to make our sorbet, which gives it a vibrant flavor.
Add some honey for an extra special touch. For dessert, you may consider making ice cream sorbet (!).
The recipe is surprisingly simple: sugar, water, and fruit purée (like apple or strawberry).
Boil until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat and chill for two hours in the fridge before churning for about 10 minutes in your blender or food processor. And voila, you have what to serve with paella!
27. Olive Oil Cake
In the Valencian region, the people cook a large cake in an olive oil pot.
It is rumored that this is where oliva de Aceite, or olive oil cake, came from. These days, oliva de Aceite is most often baked in thin sheets.
They are very thin and crispy; you can see through them! Oliva de Aceite can be made with various spices, typically cinnamon and honey.
28. Fruit Salad
Prepare a fruit salad as a side dish for paella. Many different fruits would go well with the flavors of paella. The salad can be made in advance so that it can be easily placed on the table next to the paella pan.
For example, pineapple is perfect with rice dishes like this. But sliced strawberries will also work well if you have none at home.
29. Rhubarb Pie
This rhubarb pie will give you that fruity flavor that complements the spiciness of the paella.
Rhubarb is perfect for desserts since it has a touch of sweetness, but you could also make this for breakfast.
It’s made in a casserole dish and iced with cream cheese frosting.
Add fresh fruit and whipped cream to make it more like a traditional dessert.
You can even substitute pumpkin or sweet potato puree for a different color or taste.
