Winter Foods in Spain: The Best Hearty Spanish Stews and Soups to Try

Here are some of my favorite winter foods in Spain, including our family’s go-to Spanish hearty stews and soups. These are must-try dishes if you’re visiting Spain during the colder months – or perfect to save and cook at home anytime you want a taste of traditional Spanish comfort food, no matter where you are.

This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Winter Foods in Spain

Winter in Spain may not always mean snow-covered streets – unless you’re heading into the Pyrenees – but it always means something delicious simmering on the stove. While autumn already sparks the comfort-food cravings across much of the country, it’s winter that truly fills Spanish kitchens with the aromas of slow-cooked stews, thick soups, and warming dishes that bring families together.

If you’re visiting Spain in winter and want to eat like a local, here are the most beloved Spanish winter dishes from our own family table – favorites enjoyed from the mountains of Asturias to the Mediterranean coast. And for each dish, you’ll also find the recipe we use at home, so even if you can’t visit Spain in the colder months, you can still bring a taste of Spanish winter into your own kitchen.

romantic things to do in andorra — *Pyrenees of Spain in winter*

Fall foods in Spain — *Seasonal Comfort Dishes to Enjoy in Spain*

*A roundup of my favorite soups and stews from Spain*

The Best Hearty Spanish Stews and Soups to Try

After living in Spain for many years, these soups and stews have become some of my favorite healthy comforts, whether I’m traveling or at home. Here are the best hearty regional specialties to try in Spain during winter – or to cook at home for a cozy Spanish-themed dinner.

1. Fabada Asturiana

Fabada Asturiana is one of Spain’s most iconic dishes and the most famous specialty from Asturias in northern Spain. It’s made with large white beans (fabes), chorizo, morcilla, and pork belly – hearty, comforting, and perfect for cold days.

Since Asturias is a naturally cool and rainy region (the last time I visited in July, I was wearing a jacket!), you can truly enjoy fabada there all year round. In the rest of Spain, especially in the east and south, we usually save it for the winter months because of the warmer climate. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Asturias Spain Covadonga Lakes — *Just for reference – this was Asturias in July*

2. Marmitako

The Basque Country is one of Spain’s top regions for food lovers, and many of its best local specialties revolve around fish and seafood thanks to its close connection to the Atlantic.

Marmitako is a delicious Basque fishermen’s stew that was traditionally prepared on boats during tuna season. It combines tuna, potatoes, peppers, and smoky paprika into a warm, comforting dish. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Basque fish soup in Spain — *Basque Marmitako – Traditional Fisherman’s Tuna Stew in Spain*

basque country itinerary bermeo — *Bermeo – the Basque fishing village where I tried Marmitako for the first time*

3. Cabbage Stew With Chickpeas & Potatoes

My husband Carlos comes from a rural corner of Valencia, and both of his parents grew up in post–Civil War Spain. Back then, households depended on humble, mostly vegetable-based ingredients, making this cabbage and potato stew a staple in his grandmother’s kitchen. Meat was a rare luxury, reserved for special occasions in his father’s family.

Personally, I love this stew even more than many meat-based dishes. It’s light yet incredibly comforting and hearty. The recipe combines cabbage, chickpeas, potatoes, and sometimes a touch of chorizo to deepen the flavor. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Traditional Cabbage with chickpeas and potatoes stew In Spain

4. Cod Stew With Chickpeas & Spinach

This Spanish Chickpea, Cod & Spinach Stew, known in Spain as Potaje de Vigilia, is a humble and traditional dish enjoyed during Lent and Holy Week for generations. While it’s especially comforting in the winter – like many chickpea-based dishes in our Spanish family – I personally love the addition of spinach, which adds a fresh, hearty touch. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Spanish Chickpea Cod Spinach Stew Potaje de Vigilia

5. Cuttlefish Lentil Stew

Lentils are a staple of traditional Spanish cuisine, yet I rarely see them take center stage in restaurants across the country during my travels. At home, however, my Spanish mother-in-law cooks lentils several times a week, just like many other Spanish households I know.

While there are countless ways to prepare lentil soup or stew, in the coastal regions we love pairing them with cuttlefish, slow-cooked until all the flavors meld beautifully. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

*Mediterranean Cuttlefish and Red Lentil Stew*

6. Olla Gitana

Olla Gitana, or Spanish gypsy stew, was one of the dishes that truly surprised me during my visit to the Murcia region. This hearty, comforting stew brings together pears, chickpeas, squash, and a medley of other vegetables, creating a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.

While it may not be my personal favorite, I consider it one of the most unique and memorable winter comfort foods in Spain. You can explore our full family recipe here.

Olla Gitana Food in Murcia — *Spanish Gypsy Stew or Olla Gitana Murciana*

7. Escudella

Escudella is Catalonia’s quintessential winter stew – traditionally served at Christmas but enjoyed throughout the colder months. I had the pleasure of tasting it in the Catalan Pyrenees, but if you visit Spain in winter, you can also find it in restaurants along the Costa Brava and in Barcelona. This hearty dish brings together pasta, vegetables, and a rich assortment of meats, making it the ultimate comfort food.

escudella catalán food travel — *Escudella is Catalonia’s quintessential winter stew*

8. Cocido Madrileño & Spanish Chickpea Stews

Cocido Madrileño is one of the most iconic Spanish dishes to try when visiting Madrid in winter. In my post Spain for Foodies, I share the best restaurants to sample it. The traditional version is rich and hearty, packed with a variety of meats and bones.

Across Spain, many households also enjoy a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version: a warming stew of chickpeas, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic spices – perfect for a cozy winter lunch. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Easy Mediterranean Chickpea and Seasonal Veggies Stew — *Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Stew with Seasonal Veggies*

9. Pumpkin & Carrot Soup

While pumpkin and carrot soup isn’t among Spain’s most famous dishes – the spotlight usually goes to sweet treats like buñuelos de calabaza or pastissets de cabello de ángel (a traditional sweet paste often bought as a culinary souvenir) – pumpkin plays an essential role in our Spanish family’s fall cooking. We add it to stews, and sometimes even to tortilla de patata.

This soup is a simple, velvety, and nourishing delight – one of our family’s favorite starters on chilly nights. My Spanish in-laws enjoy it as a starter for lunch several times a week throughout the fall and winter. Sometimes we elevate it with a touch of nutmeg or a sprinkle of crispy jamón on top. You can find our full family recipe here.

Crema de calabaza spanish soup — *Homemade Pumpkin and Carrot Soup*

Fluffy Pumpkin Spanish Omelette — *Pumpkin omelet with olive oil toast is one of our family’s favorite winter comfort breakfasts*

10. Cuttlefish & Potato Stew

While chickpeas and lentils are staples in our Spanish family’s everyday cooking, nothing beats the comforting, calorie-packed potato dishes. Though Ireland is internationally famous for its potatoes, in rural Spain, potatoes are still king.

My Spanish father-in-law grew up in a humble countryside home, where most of his mother’s dishes revolved around potatoes. Even today, he adores anything made with them – though, mindful of staying in shape, he doesn’t eat them every day.

One of our favorite winter dishes is potatoes slow-cooked with tender cuttlefish in a rich, paprika-tinted broth – a true cozy comfort food. Check out the full recipe here.

*Traditional Spanish Cuttlefish and Potato Stew*

11. Rib Stew With Potatoes

While I mostly gravitate toward Spanish vegetarian soups and stews, my husband Carlos is a true meat lover – even when it comes to more unusual Spanish tapas like oreja and morro. One of his favorite Spanish winter dishes is Spanish Rib Stew with Potatoes.

This hearty dish is traditionally found in Spain’s mountain regions, but even though we live near Valencia, it has become a favorite in our home during the winter holidays. Slow-cooked ribs, tender potatoes, and a rich, flavorful broth come together to create a meal so comforting that Carlos calls it “comfort in a bowl.” You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Comfort in a Bowl Spanish Pork Rib Stew with Potatoes — *Comfort in a Bowl – Spanish Pork Rib Stew with Potatoes*

12. Pork Cheeks in Red Wine

Pork Cheeks in Red Wine (Carrilleras al Vino Tinto) is one of Spain’s most traditional main dishes, perfect for the colder months. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork cheeks braised in rich red wine make it a winter favorite in Spanish homes. It’s also an ideal dish for sharing at family gatherings – this is actually how I first tried it years ago at my Spanish husband’s aunt’s home. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

*Spanish Pork Cheeks in Red Wine Recipe*

13. Rabo de Toro

A traditional Spanish oxtail stew, Rabo de Toro is a true delicacy. The meat is slow-cooked until it’s incredibly tender and falls apart effortlessly, creating a rich, decadent, and unforgettable dish.

Last year, we prepared it for New Year’s Eve in Spain – and it will probably make an appearance again this year! Our full recipe is set to go live on the Viva Spanish Kitchen blog this month, and I’ll update this post with a link as soon as it’s published.

Rabo de toro Traditional Spanish tapas — *Rabo de toro is also one of the fall favorites in our Spanish family*

14. Castilian Garlic Soup

Castilian Garlic Soup (or Sopa Castellana) is a comforting classic from central Spain, in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha – the region famously associated with Spain’s national hero, Don Quixote.

Many Castilian dishes use simple, humble ingredients, yet they are always hearty and satisfying. This garlic soup is made with garlic, bread, smoked paprika, and topped with a perfectly poached egg. Simple, yet bursting with flavor, it was one of the first winter dishes we wanted to make this season at home – I realized it had been ages since I last enjoyed it on a family trip to Cuenca.

Castilian garlic bread soup in spain — *Castilian Garlic Soup This Winter in Spain*

cuenca hanging houses spain madrid to valencia — *Cuenca makes a perfect day trip from Madrid for anyone looking to savor hearty, authentic Castilian dishes.*

15. Spanish Lean Pork in Tomato Sauce

Spanish Lean Pork in Tomato Sauce (or Magro con Tomate) is one of Spain’s most beloved traditional meat stews and is also commonly served as a tapa in classic Spanish bars. Tender lean pork slowly simmered in a rich tomato sauce makes for a simple, comforting dish – perfect served with potatoes or rice. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Magro con tomate traditional spanish tapa — *Spanish Lean Pork in Tomato Sauce*

16. Pote Asturiano

Pote Asturiano is another famous hearty stew from Asturias. Often overshadowed by fabada, it’s equally delicious as a winter dish. Made with greens, beans, and potatoes, it’s rustic, smoky, and perfect for warming up on cold days. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Winter Foods in Spain The Best Hearty Spanish Stews and Soups to Try — *Pote Asturiano is a traditional Spanish stew from the Asturias region*

17. Spanish Lentil Soup With Chorizo

Years ago, Jamie Oliver stirred controversy in the Spanish media for adding chorizo to paella – a major no-go in Valencia, where traditional paella must stick to its classic ingredients.

Yet chorizo remains a beloved ingredient in Spanish soups, stews, and even pasta dishes. Its smoky flavor, combined with warm broth and fresh vegetables, makes for the ultimate comfort dish with a gentle, spicy kick. You can find our favorite Spanish Lentil Soup with Chorizo recipe right here.

18. Spanish Potato Stew With Mushrooms

Another fantastic Spanish vegetarian stew is Spanish Potato Stew with Mushrooms. Its flavor depends greatly on the type of mushrooms used, which is why in our family, it’s one of the few dishes we don’t make year-round.

We love using níscalos or robellones, mushrooms popular along Spain’s eastern coast and typically available from October to December. This makes it a perfect fall dish that slowly transitions into our winter menu. Tender potatoes, earthy mushrooms, and smoky paprika come together to create an irresistibly comforting stew. You can find our detailed family recipe here.

Vegetarian Spanish Potato Stew with Mushrooms — *Spanish Potato Stew With Mushrooms*

*How to Make Spanish Potato Stew with Mushrooms*

Spanish Christmas Cheese plate — *Cheese Platter on Our Spanish Christmas Table*

5 Comments

Samantha on November 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM

These all sound so good, but I’m a big fan of white beans so I’d have to try the Fabada Asturiana!
Her asian adventures | solo female traveler on November 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM

Being form spain my self, I can confidently say this is one of the best winter foods in spain lists I have ever seen! You have managed to find the best (and local) food from all around the country! Once again, great list!
Aditi S on November 27, 2025 at 7:25 PM

Thank you for this guide to winter eats in Spain — I especially loved how you highlighted hearty classics like bean- and cod-stews alongside lighter vegetarian versions of the soup that make the colder months feel a little cozier.
Julia on November 28, 2025 at 5:46 AM

Hello! Oh, your list of dishes is so useful! I have been to Spain in winter and wandered what I could eat to keep warm. Thank you for sharing. I’m sure this information will help a lot of tourists!
Tania on November 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM

Thank you so much for sharing Cabbage Stew With Chickpeas & Potatoes. It sounds so good!

Winter Foods in Spain: The Best Hearty Spanish Stews and Soups to Try

Winter Foods in Spain