16 Tapas Party Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many tapas for 15 people? ›

As a rule of thumb, two or three tapas per person is usually enough. So, if you're making tapas for two, then four to six dishes would be the perfect amount.

Traditional tapas include mixed olives, garlicky shrimp, fried baby squid, meatballs, and chorizo. Whether you're craving briny seafood or crispy potatoes, these are our best tapas recipes.

Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid).

Some will say that calamares a la Romana are one of the best Spanish tapas. It's battered-fried calamari that Spaniards usually serve with a slice of lemon, however, some prefer without it.

If the guest list has fewer than 45 people, plan on using roughly 6 different appetizers. For more than 45 guests, approximately 8 different appetizers. The rule of thumb for smaller gatherings is that 3 types of appetizers are suitable for 8 to 10 guests; 4 or 5 types of appetizers for 14 to 16 people.

Rules to Plan By

Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.

Tortilla de Patatas might be the most common tapa out there. It's also known as a Spanish Omelette however it really has no relation to the classic French dish. Tortilla is a perfect mix of softened potato slices mixed with egg that are fried into a cake like shape.

Bet on variety. There must be dishes for all tastes, but without being excessive. Cook only a few dishes and plan tapas to assemble or have things from the store on hand, such as roasted nuts, olives or cheeses. The frozen appetizers you usually reserve for receptions also turn into express tapas.

Portion sizes will vary by restaurant, but typically, ordering 2 to 3 tapas per person gets the job done. So a party of 4 would order 8 to 12 tapas between them. Don't be afraid to ask your server if you haven't ordered enough food, and remember, your friends are there to help if you've ordered too much.

Black pudding and chorizo

The first is made with rice and the second is served grilled or cooked in cider. Other popular pork tapas include picadillo(chopped and breaded meat), and chicharrones and torreznos, made mainly from bacon.

What is tapas style buffet? ›

Originating in Spain, tapas are small plates of food served as light snacks during happy hour or as appetizers before the main course. Tapas restaurants are growing in popularity in the US because they create a communal dining experience where guests can nibble multiple items without filling up on any dish.

Their popularity has grown, and tapas are now often eaten as the main meal. They can be thought of as samplers, or you can make a complete meal by combining two or more tapas to enjoy a variety of flavors.

Tapas are Spanish appetizers, meant to be eaten in just a few bites. Traditional tapas include mixed olives, fried baby squid, meatballs and chorizo.

But aren't Tapas just the same as little appetizers? The answer is absolutely not! In the Spanish cuisine, an appetizer, called an aperitivo, is a supplement to a full meal, while the tapas are something completely different, another way of having your whole lunch or dinner.

A tapa (Spanish: [ˈtapa]) is an appetiser or snack in Spanish cuisine.

How Many Appetizers Do You Need Per Person? This seems like a straightforward question, but there are a few factors that go into this delicious calculation. “Typically, I plan for 4 to 8 pieces per guest, with an average of 6 pieces,” says Curtis. Here's how she breaks things down from there.

However, you can trust us that 2 to 3 tapas per person are really enough! In case you still want to have the feeling to have your own place ... you take a bit of each tapas on your plate and put together your very own dish. This way you know how much you ate in the end and you make sure that you really had enough.

A good rule of thumb when working with your caterer on just how many hors d'oeuvres to choose is as follows: for 10 – 12 guests a minimum of 5 selections, 25 guests a minimum of 9 selections and for 50 guests, a minimum of 13 selections.