Tortilla Española de Patatas
This vegetarian builds potatoes, eggs and onion into a hearty meal you can have ready in about 60 minutes. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 7 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At easy difficulty across 7 steps, it's a good one for a busy evening. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (1)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
🔁 Unit converter
How to make it
- Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin, even rounds, and thinly slice the onion.
- Heat the olive oil in a deep non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, add the potatoes and onion, and cook gently for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until soft but not browned.
- Drain the potatoes and onion in a colander, reserving the oil, and season them with salt and pepper.
- Crack the eggs into a large bowl, beat well with a pinch of salt, then fold in the warm potatoes and onion and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved oil in the skillet over medium heat, pour in the egg and potato mixture, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the edges set and the bottom is golden.
- Place a large flat plate over the pan and confidently flip the tortilla onto it, then slide it back into the pan to cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until the eggs are fully set and no longer runny.
- Slide onto a plate, let it rest for a few minutes, then cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Large pot
Ingredient substitutions
- Eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking) · 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
Tips & common questions
How long does Tortilla Española de Patatas take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 6 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of eggs?
Try ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Tortilla Española de Patatas vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat or fish, so it's suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheeses for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Tortilla Española de Patatas is an original recipe developed in-house by Consomee. Photo: Bocadillo de Tortilla de patatas - 34.jpg by Tamorlan, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure on top — how we source recipes.