{"id":6488,"date":"2021-03-26T05:57:52","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T05:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.howtocook.recipes\/?p=6488"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:51:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T16:51:26","slug":"authentic-paella-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howtocook.recipes\/authentic-paella-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Authentic Paella Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Treat your family to the tastes of the world! Hailing from Spain, paella is one of the most popular dishes. Made with toasted rice simmered with shrimp, sausage, and vegetables, this paella recipe<\/strong> packs plenty of flavor in this one-dish dinner. While my kids love it, I definitely make this one for date-night-in with my husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Best<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Paella Recipe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best paella recipe comes from fresh ingredients. As you read through the list, you\u2019ll see everything is wholesome and easy to find. Paella often comes with the reputation that only master chefs can make it, but you\u2019ll soon be a master yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Paella<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paella Ingredients
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Long grain rice<\/strong> \u2013 this is the base of your paella.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Olive oil<\/strong> \u2013 perfect for toasting the rice before adding the liquid to simmer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chicken stock<\/strong> \u2013 gives your toasted rice some moisture when cooking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Shrimp<\/strong> \u2013 one of the most essential proteins for any Spanish seafood paella recipe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chorizo<\/strong> \u2013 this spicy sausage really adds dimension to paella.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Saffron<\/strong> \u2013 just a pinch and you\u2019ll have that signature yellow hue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Garlic<\/strong> \u2013 mince it up to add that pungent taste.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lemon juice<\/strong> \u2013 adds a Mediterranean twist.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chopped veggies<\/strong> \u2013 onions and yellow bell pepper are a must for rounding out the dish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Paella seasonings<\/strong> \u2013 dried oregano, hot Hungarian paprika, red pepper flakes, Italian parsley, and a bay leaf give paella that unmistakable flavor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"Easy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Easy Paella Recipe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The ingredient list may be long, but Spanish paella is easy to make. It takes 30 minutes to come together and another 30 to cook it once the liquid has been added in. After that, it\u2019s merely patience, waiting as your kitchen transforms with the aromas of a Spanish caf\u00e9 on the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    Exercise? …I thought you said Extra Rice.
    Anonymous<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How do you Make Paella from Scratch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • To make this Spanish paella recipe from scratch, you\u2019ll mix some olive oil with the paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper to coat the shrimp. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • You\u2019ll let that refrigerate then turn to your skillet to cook the onion, bell pepper, and sausage. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Set those things aside, add the shrimp, and then move the cooked shrimp to the same bowl as your sausage. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Then, you\u2019ll toast the rice, add the garlic, seasonings, and saffron. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Once the rice toasts, you\u2019ll add the fresh parsley, chicken stock, and lemon juice. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring here and there. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • When it\u2019s cooked, you\u2019ll add the sausage and shrimp mixture to combine before serving.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Spanish Paella Every Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Feel free to add other seafood options if you prefer<\/strong>. You can add mussels or clams to the shrimp or leave out the seafood entirely and use chicken. It\u2019s totally up to you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • While the other seasonings are dried, use fresh parsley<\/strong>. It adds such an impact for the finish, both in color and flavor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make sure you stay on top of that rice<\/strong>. Keep watch as it toasts and then after you add the liquid, stir it intermittently so it doesn\u2019t burn on the bottom.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Cook Paella<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Paella needs a flat pan over high heat. A paella pan is ideal though if you don\u2019t have one, you can use a flat-bottomed skillet or even a wok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What are the main ingredients in paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        In paella, you need rice, saffron, hot Hungarian paprika, chicken stock, lemon juice, chorizo, shrimp, and seasonings to give it that incredible flavor. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What is the most important ingredient in paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Some say the rice is the most important ingredient in paella since it is the base of the dish. But without saffron, it would just be rice with seafood which makes it one of the most important ingredients of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Can<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What rice is used for paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Long grain rice tends to be the best rice for paella. If you have jasmine rice, that would be an excellent choice too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Can you make paella with regular rice?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        You can make paella with any white rice though prepare for the texture to be different from what is authentically served. The key is to toast the rice in the pan properly and then add the liquids. Doing this should make it delicious no matter which rice you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Can<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How is paella traditionally cooked?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        To make it traditionally, paella is cooked in a paella pan over high heat. This helps all the ingredients come together with that spectacular flavor we all love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Can you make paella without a paella pan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Yes, you can make paella without the special paella pan. However, that pan really is the best. Still, a good flat-bottomed skillet will work just as well if that\u2019s all you\u2019ve got.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Which<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What makes a good paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        When it comes to paella, toasting the rice is key. Using a paella pan will also be easier for making this good. And of course, the high heat and saffron all play a role in making the best paella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Which ingredient makes the rice yellow in paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This ingredient is called saffron. It\u2019s a wonderful aromatic floral element that not only brings out the color but also the flavor as well. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What does saffron do to paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Saffron adds a beautiful yellow color to paella. It also has a lovely aroma that adds that extra-special something that makes paella so good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How Long to Bake Paella<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This shrimp paella recipe is cooked on the stove top, though some recipes do have it in the oven. Even still, you\u2019ll need to combine everything on the stove top first, then move it to the oven and bake it for 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Most<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why is my paella rice still hard?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        You probably didn\u2019t add enough liquid. Follow this recipe\u2019s measurements to make sure you\u2019ve got enough chicken stock and lemon juice to see the cooking process through. If at the end of the time the rice is still hard, slowly add a little more liquid to help it cook all the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How do you make paella taste better?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If you follow this recipe, you\u2019ll have all the aromatics and flavors that make paella taste amazing. Also, using fresh ingredients will ensure you get the best taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What goes with seafood Paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        One of our favorite things to eat with seafood paella is Caesar salad. Fried plantains are another lovely match, though if you want something simple, add sauteed green veggies and crusty garlic bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Store Paella<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Paella needs to be covered and stored in the fridge. If you add more seafood to it than this recipe features, you will want to use it all up the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How Long Does Paella Last?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If you make paella with shrimp and chorizo, it will be good in your fridge for about 3 days. If you\u2019ve added mussels, clams, and more, you\u2019ll want to finish it off the next day so it won\u2019t go to waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Homemade<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Can You Freeze Paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        So, what happens when you\u2019ve made a jumbo serving of paella you can\u2019t possibly polish off before it goes bad? Freeze it! Make sure it\u2019s stored in an airtight vessel and be sure to use it up before a month passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Reheat Paella?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Reheating paella is best on the stove top. Add a little more liquid to it so it has the same texture as when you first made it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        Watch How To Make Paella (Video)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n