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The Recipe · No.300 · Tortilla Española

Tortilla Española, and where to source it

Tortilla Española — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Tortilla Española Spanish 5best2buy.com

A tortilla is three ingredients, so each one has to be right: real eggs, waxy potatoes, and enough olive oil to poach them soft. The technique that matters is the flip, sliding the set omelette onto a plate and back into the pan to cook the second side. Cook it slow and pull it while the center still trembles.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Makes6 servings
CuisineSpanish
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-freeDairy-free
Contains  eggs
Make it vegan: a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
Eggs
The binder and the body of the tortilla; fresh eggs with deep yolks set a custardy center.
6 large
Source it →
Potatoes
The bulk of the tortilla; a waxy yellow potato holds its shape after poaching in oil.
1.5 lb
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Olive oil
Used to poach the potatoes soft, not to fry them crisp; you strain most of it back out.
1.5 cups
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Yellow onion
Poached with the potatoes for sweetness; some cooks skip it, but it earns its place.
1
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The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. Slice thinPeel and slice potatoes into 1/8-inch rounds and slice the onion thin so both cook evenly.
  2. Poach in oilCook potatoes and onion in the olive oil over medium-low for 20 minutes until soft but not browned; drain, saving the oil.
  3. Fold into eggsBeat the eggs with salt, fold in the warm potatoes, and rest 10 minutes so the potato soaks up egg.
  4. Set the first sideCook in 2 tbsp of the reserved oil over medium for 4 minutes until the edges set but the center is still loose.
  5. FlipSlide onto a plate, invert the pan over it, flip together, and cook 3 more minutes; the center should stay just soft.
The Toolkit

Nonstick skillet · Flat plate · Mandoline · Mixing bowl · Spatula

Straight Answers
Can you make Tortilla Española in an air fryer? — Not really

Not really — loose batter spreads and needs a flat, hot surface. Keep this one on the stovetop or griddle.

Can you freeze Tortilla Española? — Yes

Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.

Can you make Tortilla Española ahead of time? — Partly

The components hold — prep the parts ahead and finish it close to serving for the best texture.

Is Tortilla Española gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Tortilla Española vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has egg. Make it vegan: a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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