15 Spanish Summer Recipes to Beat the Heat

Last Updated on May 9, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: July 16, 2018

When it gets hot in Spain, there are a few dishes you’ll see on our table all summer long. With a focus on cold soups and salads using market-fresh produce, simple seafood and refreshing wine-based drinks, these are the 15 Spanish summer recipes that we turn to when the thought of turning on the oven is just too much.

Traveling to Spain in the summer? Here’s the best 6 things to do during summer in Spain!

Cold Soups

Gazpacho

By far Spain’s most famous contribution to the world of cold soups, gazpacho is a tried-and-true classic, and Spanish summer staple. It’s a simple mixture of tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil, sherry vinegar, and salt that’s so refreshing on a hot day.

Watermelon Mint Gazpacho

When you’re ready to take your gazpacho to the next level, make watermelon and mint gazpacho for a surprising and refreshing combination.

Salmorejo

Gazpacho’s richer cousin, salmorejo is also a cold, tomato-based soup, but it takes things to the next level with additions of stale bread and lots of olive oil.

Ajoblanco

Ajoblanco is a creamy white soup made from a base of almonds, and is a Malaga staple! It dates back to the times of Moorish rule in Spain, centuries before tomatoes made it to the Iberian Peninsula. Ajoblanco the original cold Spanish soup, and one of our favorite Spanish summer recipes.

Salads

Ensalada Mixta

Vegetarians might be surprised to learn in Spain that ensaladilla mixta (Spanish mixed salad) isn’t a vegetarian dish—it usually includes tuna! The beauty of this recipe is that you can customize it to your heart’s content.

Ventresca Salad

We’re back with the tuna! Ventresca is tuna belly, one of Spain’s gourmet tinned goods that will make you re-think your whole relationship with canned tuna. This fresh salad pairs it with blood orange and avocado to bring out the flavors in each ingredient.

Ensalada Malagueña

Ensalada malagueña is a summer salad of potatoes, oranges, cod and olives. It’s a refreshing salad with Moorish origins. This surprising combination is incredibly helpful in keeping locals – and visitors – cool during the hot summer months.

Papas Aliñás

If you want to get particular, papas aliñás are really patatas aliñadas—but it’s a recipe from Cádiz and that’s just too many syllables! Papas aliñás are potatoes “dressed” in olive oil and tuna, and they’re perfect for a summer day.

Zanahorias Aliñadas

Cousin of the above papas aliñás, these marinated carrots are vinegary, garlicky, and one of our absolute favorite Spanish summer recipes.

Ensaladilla Rusa

Step up your potato salad game by bringing Spanish potato salad (or is it Russian?!) to your next barbecue! Potatoes, tuna, hard boiled egg, peas, carrots and lots of mayonnaise come together to make this summer classic.

Seafood

Boquerones en Vinagre

If you think you don’t like anchovies but you’ve never tried boquerones en vinagre, we beseech you to withhold your judgement and give them a try. And if you still don’t like them afterwards—sorry, we can’t be friends.

Gambas Cocidas

There’s a wealth of delicious fresh shrimp to be found at your local Spanish fish market, and they’re best enjoyed simply. Boil them up, pair with cold beer or manzanilla sherry, and enjoy on a terrace.

Spanish Summer Recipes: Drinks

Tinto de Verano

You’ve heard all about sangría, we’re sure. But tinto de verano is the local’s choice for a refreshing summer wine cooler. It doesn’t get much simpler than red wine + lemon soda, but if you need a recipe, we’ve got you covered.

Summer Sangría

This super fruity and light traditional Spanish sangría is perfect for a summer cookout. This recipe is an authentic version that isn’t super sweet and can easily be customized to your tastes.

Gin and Tonic

If you’re surprised to see a gin and tonic on this list of Spanish summer recipes, then you clearly don’t know that Spain was the country that consumed the most gin in the whole world in 2017! It’s simple to make and is one of our favorite drinks in San Sebastián.

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Spanish Summer Foods FAQs

What foods do people eat in Spain during the summer?
Popular Spanish summer foods include cold soups like gazpacho and salmorejo, refreshing salads, grilled seafood, tortilla española, and light rice dishes. Many traditional summer recipes focus on seasonal produce, olive oil, and simple preparations that help beat the heat.

What is the most popular Spanish summer dish?
Gazpacho is one of the most popular Spanish summer dishes. This chilled tomato-based soup from Andalusia is made with fresh vegetables and olive oil, and is especially popular during hot weather because it’s light and refreshing.

What drinks are popular in Spain during the summer?
Popular Spanish summer drinks include tinto de verano, sangria, rebujito, and chilled white wines like albariño or txakoli. Tinto de verano—a mix of red wine and lemon soda—is especially popular among locals because it’s lighter and more refreshing than sangria.

Are Spanish summer recipes healthy?
Many Spanish summer recipes are considered healthy because they rely heavily on vegetables, seafood, legumes, olive oil, and fresh ingredients. Spain’s Mediterranean-style diet emphasizes simple cooking methods and seasonal produce.

What ingredients are commonly used in Spanish summer recipes?
Common ingredients in Spanish summer cooking include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, olive oil, garlic, seafood, fresh herbs, and rice. Seasonal produce and minimally cooked ingredients are key parts of traditional Spanish warm-weather meals.