Spain may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving. But the holiday is celebrated there, too! And just like in the United States, food plays a significant role in the festivities.
Moreover, if you’re looking for something different to serve at your Thanksgiving feast this year. Why not try some traditional Spanish dishes? If you’re planning to visit or move to Spain, you’ll need to know about Spanish food!
Additionally, if you’re going to celebrate Thanksgiving there, you’ll want to know what Thanksgiving foods are traditional in Spain (and how they’re prepared).
Here is our favorites list of the most famous Spanish Thanksgiving food. That you should try while you’re visiting or living in the country.
Table of Contents
- Baked Turkey Empanada
- Turkey Croquettes
- Sherry-Spiked Pecan Pie
- Burnt Basque Cheesecake
- Crustless Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pie Flan
- Quesada Pasiega
- Roast Leg of Lamb
- Roasted Carrots With Cumin & Paprika
- Warm Spiced Sangria
- Spanish Roast Chicken
- Chicken & Chorizo Stew
- Whole Baked Fish
- Tocino
- Seco de Cordero
- Pierna de Cerdo Asada
- Escalivada
- Pipirrana
- Gazpacho
- Paella
- Chorizo Stuffing
- Calamares Fritos
- Spanish Pumpkin Soup
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
- Spanish Cheese Platter
- Almond-Crusted Fried Goat Cheese With Honey Glaze
- Roasted Vegetables with Pine Nuts and Raisins
Baked Turkey Empanada
The turkey empanada is a traditional Spanish dish usually served during the holidays. It’s made with a pastry dough filled with some other ingredients. The empanada is baked in the oven until the pastry is golden brown.
Furthermore, a popular way to serve this dish is to cut it into small pieces. You then top it with tomato sauce or mole sauce.
This Spanish Thanksgiving food is often accompanied by Beans, rice, guacamole, cornbread, sweet potatoes, plantains, or butternut squash for dessert.
Turkey Croquettes
These croquettes are made with shredded turkey meat, potatoes, and vegetables, all held together with breadcrumbs and fried to perfection.
They can be a great appetizer or main course and can be served with a dipping sauce on the side. This Spanish Thanksgiving food is a savory goodie that is always popular at large gatherings in Spain.
Sherry-Spiked Pecan Pie
This Southern classic gets a unique twist with the addition of sherry. The rich, nutty flavor of the pecans is complemented perfectly by the dry, slightly sweet sherry. This pie is sure to be a hit as your Spanish Thanksgiving food!
Hence, you can serve it warm and topped with whipped cream or ice cream. You can also make it in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready.
Burnt Basque Cheesecake
This traditional Spanish thanksgiving food serves as dessert. It’s made with sheep’s milk cheese and cream and has a dark brown exterior from burning in a wood-fired oven. The Basque region is known for its excellent cheeses; this cake is no exception.
Nevertheless, It’s rich and creamy, with a slightly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with a glass of red wine. If you’re looking for a unique dessert to serve this Thanksgiving, burnt Basque cheesecake is worth trying.
Crustless Pumpkin Cheesecake
Spain has a long and rich history, with many traditions and customs that are still celebrated today. One of these is their unique take on Spanish Thanksgiving food, which includes some delicious traditional foods.
One of the most popular is crustless pumpkin cheesecake, a light and fluffy dessert perfect for the holiday season. If you’re looking for something different to add to your Thanksgiving feast this year, give this Spanish dish a try!
Pumpkin Pie Flan
Flan is a staple in Spanish so that this classic dessert can appear as your Spanish Thanksgiving food. Pumpkin pie flan is a delicious and festive twist on the traditional dish. And it’s sure to be a hit with your guests.
However, to make this treat, you’ll need a canned pumpkin, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a store-bought/homemade flan.
Combine all ingredients (except the flan) in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into the flan pan and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.
Once the flan is cooled, it will be required to invert it onto a plate so that the caramel sauce from the bottom of the pan drips over the top.
Quesada Pasiega
Quesada Pasiega is a cheese-based dessert from the Cantabria region of Spain. It’s made with fresh cheese, eggs, sugar, and cream and is usually served with a fruit compote. This Spanish Thanksgiving food is rich and creamy. And the sweetness of the compote balances out the savory flavors of the cheese.
Roast Leg of Lamb
Roast leg of lamb is a traditional Spanish Thanksgiving food that’s often served on special occasions. The lamb is marinated in a mixture of garlic, rosemary, and olive oil before being roasted to perfection. This dish is flavorful and moist, and the herbs give it a beautiful aroma.
Roasted Carrots With Cumin & Paprika
Roasted carrots are a classic Spanish Thanksgiving food that gets a flavorful twist with the addition of cumin and paprika. This dish is simple to make and can be easily tailored to your liking. Add more or less cumin and paprika to taste. Serve as a side dish or main course. Enjoy!
Warm Spiced Sangria
This warm spiced sangria is the perfect drink to enjoy with your Spanish Thanksgiving food. At the same time, you gathered around the table with your family and friends.
Made with red wine, brandy, and seasonal spices, it’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Furthermore, what’s a holiday feast without sangria? This recipe is sure to please everyone at your table.
Spanish Roast Chicken
One of the most traditional and delicious Spanish Thanksgiving foods is roast chicken. This dish is usually served with potatoes, carrots, and green beans. The chicken is rubbed with garlic-infused olive oil and then roasted to perfection. This dish is sure to please everyone at your Thanksgiving table.
Chicken & Chorizo Stew
This dish is bursting with rich, robust flavors. The chicken is simmered in a tomatoey sauce with smoked paprika, garlic, and chorizo. The result is a profoundly satisfying stew that’s perfect for a cold winter day. Serve it with some crusty bread for mopping up all the deliciousness.
Whole Baked Fish
If you’re looking for traditional Spanish Thanksgiving food, look no further than whole-baked fish. This dish is typically made with a type of whitefish. Like sea bass or cod, and is usually served with aioli (garlic mayonnaise) on the side.
Hence, the fish is first rubbed with olive oil. And then seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon juice before being baked in the oven. You must be mindful that this dish’s cooking time varies depending on the size of the fish.
While whole baked fish may not be Spain’s most common Thanksgiving dish, it’s one that you’ll love if you give it a try!
Tocino
Tocino is a traditional Spanish Thanksgiving food usually served during the holidays. It is made of pork that is cured and then fried. Tocino is often served with rice, beans, plantains, and other dishes. It can also be eaten with bread or tortillas.
Additionally, this dish is made of pork that is cured and then slowly cooked. It is a popular holiday dish found in many homes across Spain.
While the ingredients and cooking method may vary slightly from region to region, the dish is typically made with pork belly, garlic, onions, paprika, cumin, and oregano.
The pork is cured for several days in a mixture of these spices before it is slow-cooked over low heat until it is meltingly tender. Tocino makes an excellent addition to any holiday feast and is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Seco de Cordero
Spain’s take on Thanksgiving involves a lot of great food. One of their traditional dishes is Seco de Cordero, a slow-cooked lamb stew. The dish is usually served with potatoes and green beans and sometimes includes white wine or beer. It’s hearty and filling and the perfect container for a cold winter day.
Pierna de Cerdo Asada
Pierna de cerdo Asada, or roasted pork leg, is a traditional Spanish Thanksgiving food. It is both delicious and easy to prepare. To make this dish, you will need a pork leg, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and olive oil.
Firstly, you preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, rub the pork leg with garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Then, drizzle olive oil over the pork leg and place it in a roasting pan. Roast the pork leg for about two hours or until it is cooked.
Escalivada
Escalivada is a dish made of roasted vegetables, typically served as an appetizer or first course. It originates from the Catalonia region of Spain and typically includes roasted red peppers, aubergines, and onions. This dish is usually seasoned with olive oil, salt, and vinegar.
Pipirrana
Pipirrana is a traditional Andalusian dish with chopped tomatoes, green peppers, onions, garlic, and olives. It’s usually served as a cold salad, making it the perfect side dish for a hot day. It’s the most outstanding Spanish Thanksgiving food you can ever prepare!
Gazpacho
As a Spanish Thanksgiving Food, Gazpacho is a cold soup made with some other ingredients. It’s a refreshing soup made of chopped vegetables and served cold. This dish is perfect to start your meal with, and it’s also vegan and gluten-free. It’s refreshing and perfect for a hot day!
Paella
Paella is a rice dish with chicken, seafood, vegetables, and saffron. Paella is a classic Spanish dish with rice, seafood, and vegetables.
Chorizo Stuffing
Chorizo stuffing is a flavorful and hearty stuffing made with chorizo sausage, bread crumbs, and onions. It’s perfect for those who want Spanish Thanksgiving food or is a little different from traditional turkey stuffing.
Calamares Fritos
Calamares Fritos, or fried squid, is a popular tapa and seafood dish in Spain. It’s also a traditional Spanish Thanksgiving food! The container is made by coating squid in flour and then frying it in olive oil. It’s usually served with aioli or garlic mayonnaise, and it’s a delicious way to start your Thanksgiving feast.
Spanish Pumpkin Soup
One of the most famous Spanish soups during fall and winter is sopa de calabaza, or pumpkin soup. This soup is usually made with fresh pumpkins, but canned pumpkin puree can be used as a shortcut.
It’s spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and smoked paprika and garnished with chopped almonds, croutons, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve this soup as an appetizer or main course on Thanksgiving.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
These little bites are the perfect mix of sweet and savory. And they’re sure to be a hit as your Spanish Thanksgiving food. To make them, wrap dates in bacon and bake until crispy. Then, top with a dollop of goat cheese and serve warm.
Spanish Cheese Platter
This Spanish cheese platter is perfect for serving as your Spanish Thanksgiving food. Featuring a variety of flavorful cheeses, it’s sure to please everyone at the table.
From Manchego to Iberico, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, it’s great to start the conversation as you wait for the main course.
Almond-Crusted Fried Goat Cheese With Honey Glaze
This dish is sure to be a hit with your guests! The crispy, almond-crusted exterior pairs perfectly with the creamy, fried goat cheese inside. And the honey glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness. Serve this Spanish Thanksgiving food with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad for a complete meal.
Roasted Vegetables with Pine Nuts and Raisins
This dish is a must-have for your Spanish Thanksgiving food. It’s simple to make but so full of flavor. Roasted vegetables are tossed with pine nuts, raisins, and simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. So good, you’ll be going back for seconds!
Conclusion
While the traditional Spanish Thanksgiving foods list may not be as long as the American list, there are still plenty of delicious dishes to choose from. And since many of these recipes are passed down from generation to generation.
However, you can be sure they’re tried and true if you’re looking for something new to try this holiday season. Why not give one (or more!) of these Spanish Thanksgiving foods a shot?
