Spanish soups might not be the first dishes you picture when someone asks about traditional food from Spain. Yet these recipes are absolutely delicious and you have likely heard of at least a few of them.
I gathered 10 of the most famous and tasty soups here for you to try.
1. Ajo Blanco
The name of this dish literally translates to white garlic in English. It is a creamy and chilled soup that tastes magnificent on a hot summer day.
You only need 10 minutes to make it. I recommend putting it in the fridge for a while to get the best flavor profile.
The taste is nutty and garlic forward with a hint of tart sweetness from apples and green grapes. It works perfectly with a sweet and nutty side salad.
2. Fabada
You will enjoy this recipe if you are a fan of pork and beans or white beans and bacon. That is basically what this dish is.
It takes about 2 hours to cook but only requires five ingredients. You just need white beans and ham hock plus Spanish chorizo and bacon and water.
You can leave it alone to cook without much effort. The beans pack it with protein and fiber.
However it is a bit calorie heavy so keep it as an infrequent indulgence.
3. Gazpacho
This is one of the most polarizing soups I have ever encountered. People tend to either love it or hate it completely.
The cold temperature and raw veggies might be the reason for the strong reactions. You should be impressed if you enjoy garden fresh veggies in a cool summer soup.
There is no cooking involved since you just slice and chop and blend. It takes only 20 to 25 minutes to make before chilling.
I make it once or twice a summer to use up my extra produce.
4. Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spanish Chickpea Stew)
This Spanish chickpea stew is so thick and chunky that you might not realize it is a stew. It looks more like a thick burrito or taco filling than a soup.
The recipe includes baby spinach and almonds along with cubes of whole wheat bread. You also add onions and chickpeas plus peppers and tomato sauce.
It is rich and savory and plenty spicy. I think it tastes best served with thick bread or tortillas.
5. Canary Islands Cilantro Soup (Caldo de Papas)
I recently learned about a gene that makes cilantro taste like soap to some people and that breaks my heart. This delicious soup uses plenty of cilantro along with onions and tomatoes.
It also includes garlic and potatoes plus rice and green peppers. You season it with bouillon and sea salt plus paprika and olive oil.
This warm soup is a great option if you want plenty of veggies but dislike cold gazpacho.
6. Salmorejo
You might prefer salmorejo if you find gazpacho too thin. It is a cold soup full of tomatoes and herbs.
The texture is thicker and creamier thanks to the addition of stale bread and eggs plus ham. It is traditionally served in the warmer months.
This heartier dish usually serves as a main course rather than an appetizer.
7. Caldo Gallego
This traditional dish comes from Galicia in Spain. It is about as different from gazpacho as a soup can be.
The recipe requires about 90 minutes of cooking and it is definitely not vegetarian. You need white beans and water plus a ham bone and a beef bone.
It also uses pork fat and turnip leaves plus potatoes and salt. This rich and hearty meal is perfect for warming you up on a cold winter night.
8. Mango Gazpacho
This version is similar to traditional gazpacho in most ways. You simply add three large mangoes and some orange juice to the mix.
A few jalapenos also go in to add a bit of spice and heat. It flawlessly combines sweet and savory flavors.
This is a healthy and vegan friendly start to a summer meal.
9. Spanish Lentil Soup
Spanish lentil soup is quite similar to lentil soups you find elsewhere in the world. It is packed with fiber rich lentils plus onions and tomatoes.
You also add carrots and potatoes to a flavorful base of vegetable broth. Garlic and olive oil plus spices round out the flavor profile.
You can toss in some Spanish sausages if you want to add more protein.
10. Spanish Vegetable Soup (Menestra de Verduras)
This Spanish vegetable soup is a warm and filling option. It is perfect for those who enjoy a hot cup of soup after a hard day.
The recipe calls for carrots and green beans plus artichoke hearts and peas. You also include turnips and Serrano ham along with yellow onions and flour.
The broth is somewhat thin since it comes from water and veggie liquid. It is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread.