33 Perfect Sides to Pair with Paella

1. Garlic Bread

• Flavor Profile: Garlic bread has a rich, buttery flavor with a strong garlic kick, often enhanced with herbs like parsley.
• Best Pairings: Complements all types of paella, especially seafood and mixed varieties, by adding a crunchy, savory element.
• Preparation or Recipe: Spread butter mixed with minced garlic and parsley on baguette slices or Italian bread. Toast in the oven until golden and crispy.

2. Crusty Baguette

• Flavor Profile: A crusty baguette has a crunchy exterior and a soft, airy interior, offering a neutral yet satisfying bread flavor.
• Best Pairings: Pairs well with all types of paella, providing a perfect vehicle for soaking up the flavorful broth.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve fresh or lightly toasted with a bit of olive oil. Cut into slices for easy dipping.

3. Patatas Bravas

• Flavor Profile: Patatas bravas are crispy fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce, offering a hearty and tangy flavor.
• Best Pairings: This dish works well with all types of paella, adding a spicy, satisfying side dish that contrasts nicely with the paella’s flavors.
• Preparation or Recipe: Dice potatoes and fry until crispy. Serve with a sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, onions, paprika, or cayenne pepper.

4. Spanish Tortilla

• Flavor Profile: Spanish tortilla is a thick, savory omelet made with eggs and potatoes, seasoned with salt and pepper for a rich, comforting taste.
• Best Pairings: It is ideal with meat or mixed paellas, adding a substantial, egg-based dish that complements the main course.
• Preparation or Recipe: Sauté sliced potatoes and onions, mix with beaten eggs, and cook in a skillet until set. Serve in wedges.

5. Olives

• Flavor Profile: Olives have a salty, briny flavor with variations ranging from mild to intensely tangy.
• Best Pairings: Complements all types of paella, offering a salty contrast that enhances the meal’s depth.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve a variety of marinated olives as a simple appetizer. Choose from green, black, or mixed olives.

6. Churros

• Flavor Profile: Churros are sweet, fried dough pastries often rolled in sugar and cinnamon. They offer a warm, crispy, and soft texture.
• Best Pairings: It is ideal for dessert after a savory paella meal, providing a sweet and indulgent end to the meal.
• Preparation or Recipe: Prepare a dough with flour, water, and a bit of sugar. Pipe into long strips and fry until golden. Roll in cinnamon sugar before serving.

7. Tomato Salad

• Flavor Profile: Tomato salad features fresh, juicy tomatoes with a light, tangy flavor, often enhanced with herbs and vinaigrette.
• Best Pairings: This salad complements seafood or vegetarian paellas by adding a refreshing, acidic element to balance the richness of the paella.
• Preparation or Recipe: Combine sliced tomatoes with red onion, cucumber, and a dressing made from olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

8. Mixed Green Salad

• Flavor Profile: Mixed green salad offers a fresh, crisp flavor with a variety of textures and often includes a light, tangy vinaigrette.
• Best Pairings: It works well with all types of paella, providing a light and refreshing contrast to the main dish’s rich flavors.
• Preparation or Recipe: Toss together mixed greens (such as lettuce, spinach, and arugula) with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

9. Sangria

• Flavor Profile: Sangria is a fruity, refreshing wine-based drink with notes of citrus and sometimes spice, offering a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
• Best Pairings: Ideal with all types of paella, enhancing the meal with its refreshing and vibrant flavors.
• Preparation or Recipe: Combine red wine with sliced fruit (such as oranges, lemons, and berries), a splash of brandy, and a bit of soda water. Chill and serve over ice.

10. White Wine

• Flavor Profile: White wine typically has a crisp, clean taste with notes of citrus, apple, or pear, providing a refreshing complement to paella.
• Best Pairings: It pairs particularly well with seafood or chicken paella, where its acidity and fruitiness balance the dish’s flavors.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve chilled. For the best pairing with paella, choose a light, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

11. Red Wine

• Flavor Profile: Red wine has a robust, full-bodied flavor with notes of dark fruit, oak, and sometimes spice, adding depth to the meal.
• Best Pairings: Complements meat or mixed paellas, enhancing the savory flavors with its rich, complex taste.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled, depending on the wine. Opt for a medium-bodied red like Tempranillo or Garnacha for a harmonious match with paella.

12. Pickled Vegetables

• Flavor Profile: Pickled vegetables have a tangy, sour taste and crunchy texture, refreshingly contrasting rich paella.
• Best Pairings: It is great as a side dish with any type of paella, providing a zesty, acidic complement.
• Preparation or Recipe: Prepare by pickling vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, or peppers in a vinegar solution with spices. Serve chilled.

13. Marinated Artichokes

• Flavor Profile: Marinated artichokes offer a tangy, savory flavor with a tender texture, providing a delicious contrast to paella.
• Best Pairings: Works well with seafood or vegetable paellas, adding a flavorful, briny element.
• Preparation or Recipe: Marinate artichoke hearts in olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs. Serve as an appetizer or side dish.

14. Grilled Vegetables

• Flavor Profile: Grilled vegetables have a smoky, charred flavor with a tender, caramelized texture that complements savory paella.
• Best Pairings: This is ideal for any type of paella, especially mixed or vegetable varieties, adding a smoky depth.
• Preparation or Recipe: Grill vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant until tender and slightly charred. Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

15. Spanish Cheese Platter

• Flavor Profile: A Spanish cheese platter features a variety of cheeses with rich, bold flavors, ranging from sharp and tangy to creamy and mild.
• Best Pairings: Complements all types of paella, offering a savory and diverse range of tastes to enjoy alongside the meal.
• Preparation or Recipe: Include a selection of Spanish cheeses like Manchego, Iberico, and Mahón. Serve with crackers, nuts, and fruit.

16. Prosciutto or Jamón Ibérico

• Flavor Profile: These cured meats have a rich, salty flavor with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, adding a gourmet touch to your meal.
• Best Pairings: Pairs excellently with any type of paella, especially as an appetizer or alongside a cheese platter.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve thin slices of prosciutto or Jamón Ibérico on a platter. For an elegant starter, they can also be wrapped around fruits like melon.

17. Seafood Cocktails

• Flavor Profile: Seafood cocktails feature a tangy, spicy sauce with fresh seafood, offering a light and flavorful complement to paella.
• Best Pairings: Perfect with seafood paella, providing a refreshing, pre-meal treat.
• Preparation or Recipe: Mix cooked seafood (such as shrimp or crab) with a cocktail sauce made from ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and hot sauce.

18. Gazpacho

• Flavor Profile: Gazpacho is a cold tomato-based soup with a fresh, tangy flavor, often with notes of cucumber, bell pepper, and onion.
• Best Pairings: Ideal as a starter or side with paella, particularly in warm weather.
• Preparation or Recipe: Blend tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and seasoning. Chill before serving.

19. Aioli

• Flavor Profile: Aioli is a garlic-infused mayonnaise with a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy flavor that enhances various dishes.
• Best Pairings: Excellent with seafood or meat paella, used as a dip or spread.
• Preparation or Recipe: Mix mayonnaise with minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve chilled.

20. Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

• Flavor Profile: Piquillo peppers are sweet and mild, often stuffed with a flavorful filling such as cheese or seafood.
• Best Pairings: Complements any type of paella, offering a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
• Preparation or Recipe: Stuff piquillo peppers with a filling of choice (such as cheese or tuna), then bake or serve cold.

21. Roasted Almonds

• Flavor Profile: Roasted almonds have a crunchy texture and a slightly nutty, savory flavor that adds a nice contrast to paella.
• Best Pairings: Ideal as a snack or appetizer before or alongside paella.
• Preparation or Recipe: Roast almonds in the oven with a touch of salt or other seasonings until golden and fragrant.

22. Fried Calamari

• Flavor Profile: Fried calamari is crispy on the outside with tender, slightly sweet squid inside, providing a satisfying texture and flavor.
• Best Pairings: Great with seafood or mixed paella, adding a crispy, savory element.
• Preparation or Recipe: Coat squid rings in flour or batter, then fry until golden and crispy. Serve with a lemon wedge and dipping sauce.

23. Spanish Rice or Couscous

• Flavor Profile: Spanish rice or couscous is a flavorful side dish that can be seasoned with herbs and spices to complement paella.
• Best Pairings: Works well with all types of paella, especially when served as a side or as part of a larger meal.
• Preparation or Recipe: For added flavor, cook rice or couscous with spices like saffron, paprika, and garlic. Serve as a side dish or mixed with vegetables.

24. Panzanella Salad

• Flavor Profile: Panzanella is a Tuscan bread salad with a tangy vinaigrette, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and crusty bread, offering a refreshing and hearty flavor.
• Best Pairings: Complements all types of paella by adding a refreshing, hearty side.
• Preparation or Recipe: Toss chunks of stale bread with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, basil, and a vinaigrette made from olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

25. Grilled Shrimp Skewers

• Flavor Profile: Grilled shrimp skewers are savory with a smoky flavor from grilling, often seasoned with spices or herbs.
• Best Pairings: Excellent with seafood or mixed paella, adding an extra layer of seafood flavor.
• Preparation or Recipe: Marinate shrimp in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs, then thread onto skewers and grill until cooked through.

26. Sautéed Mushrooms

• Flavor Profile: Sautéed mushrooms have a rich, umami flavor with a tender, slightly caramelized texture.
• Best Pairings: Pairs well with all types of paella, especially meat or vegetable versions.
• Preparation or Recipe: Sauté mushrooms in olive oil with garlic, onions, and herbs until golden and tender.

27. Baked Brie with Jam

• Flavor Profile: Baked brie is creamy and rich, often topped with sweet fruit jam, offering a contrast of savory and sweet flavors.
• Best Pairings: Great as an appetizer or with any type of paella, adding a touch of indulgence.
• Preparation or Recipe: Bake a wheel of brie cheese until soft and gooey. Top with fruit jam (like raspberry or fig) and serve with crackers or bread.

28. Sliced Chorizo

• Flavor Profile: Sliced chorizo is a cured sausage with a spicy, smoky flavor that adds depth to any meal.
• Best Pairings: Complements paella by adding a spicy, savory element that enhances the overall flavor.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve thin slices of chorizo on a platter or add them to dishes as a flavorful component.

29. Hummus with Pita Bread

• Flavor Profile: Hummus is creamy and slightly tangy, made from chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice. Pita bread is soft and slightly chewy.
• Best Pairings: Works well as an appetizer or light side dish with paella, providing a smooth, flavorful contrast.
• Preparation or Recipe: Serve hummus with slices of warm pita bread for dipping. Hummus can be homemade or store-bought.

30. Roasted Chickpeas

• Flavor Profile: Roasted chickpeas are crunchy and savory, with a lightly spiced flavor.
• Best Pairings: Ideal as a snack or appetizer before paella, adding a crunchy and nutritious element.
• Preparation or Recipe: Toss chickpeas with olive oil and spices (like cumin or paprika) and roast in the oven until crispy.

31. Fruit Salad

• Flavor Profile: Fruit salad offers a fresh, sweet contrast with a mix of juicy fruits.
• Best Pairings: A refreshing dessert or side is served well after a rich paella meal.
• Preparation or Recipe: Combine a variety of fresh fruits such as berries, melons, and citrus. Toss with a bit of honey or mint for extra flavor.

32. Flan

• Flavor Profile: Flan is a creamy caramel custard with a smooth, rich texture and a sweet caramel topping.
• Best Pairings: Perfect as a dessert following a savory paella meal, offering a sweet and indulgent finish.
• Preparation or Recipe: Bake a custard mixture of eggs, milk, and sugar, then cool and invert to serve with caramel sauce.

33. Crema Catalana

• Flavor Profile: Crema Catalana is a Spanish dessert similar to crème brûlée. It has a rich, creamy custard base topped with a caramelized sugar crust.
• Best Pairings: It is ideal for dessert after a paella meal, providing a sweet and satisfying end.
• Preparation or Recipe: Cook a custard base with eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon, then refrigerate and top with caramelized sugar before serving.

Conclusion

Enhance paella’s rich, savory flavors with crusty baguettes, flavorful garlic bread, refreshing sangria, and rich churros.

Each item offers its unique taste and texture, complementing the diverse ingredients of paella and adding variety to your meal.

By exploring these 33 options, you can create a well-rounded dining experience that satisfies various tastes and preferences.

Whether you choose a fresh tomato salad, a hearty Spanish tortilla, or a sweet dessert, these pairings help balance and elevate your paella.

With these suggestions, you can enjoy a delicious and memorable paella meal for any occasion.