10 easy tapas to make with Spanish charcuterie

No need to spend two hours in the kitchen for a successful tapas night. With a few good Spanish cured meats, some bread and three ingredients, you've got everything for a table that looks like a bar in Seville. Here are 10 easy tapas, with no complicated recipes.

1. Pan con tomate with Serrano ham

The Catalan classic. Toasted bread rubbed with garlic then with a halved tomato, a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a slice of Serrano laid on top. Ready in 3 minutes.

2. Chorizo pan-fried in red wine

Thick slices of chorizo, 2 minutes on high heat, then a glass of red wine to deglaze. Let it reduce for 5 minutes. Spear with a cocktail stick.

3. Lomo, manchego and olive oil

Thin slices of lomo, shavings of manchego, a dash of olive oil and pepper. The contrast between paprika and sheep's cheese is perfect.

4. Fuet, olives and toasted almonds

Fuet sliced on the diagonal, a bowl of green olives, salted toasted almonds. The tapa to nibble while the rest is being prepared.

5. Melon and ham

Balls or slices of ripe melon with Serrano or, for big occasions, Bellota. A little pepper, nothing else.

6. Scrambled eggs with chorizo

Fry diced spicy chorizo for 1 minute, add beaten eggs and stir over low heat until creamy. Serve on toast.

7. Potatoes with chorizo

Baby potatoes roasted in the oven, with slices of mild chorizo added for the last 10 minutes so they flavour the whole dish.

8. Quick ham croquettes

A thick béchamel, chopped Serrano ham trimmings, shape, bread, fry. Longer, but always the table's favourite tapa.

9. Lomo, fig and honey toast

Toasted bread, lomo, fresh fig in quarters, a drizzle of honey. Sweet-savoury and elegant.

10. Chorizo-stuffed dates

Pitted dates, stuffed with a small piece of chorizo, 5 minutes in the oven. Surprising and addictive.

How to organise the evening

• Allow 100 to 150 g of charcuterie per person if the tapas are the meal.
• Plan 5 to 6 different tapas for 6 people, including 2 or 3 cold ones that can be prepared in advance.
• Serve the tapas in several waves, as in Spain, rather than all at once.
• To drink: a young Rioja, a well-chilled beer or a homemade sangria.

Frequently asked questions

Which cured meats to buy for a tapas night?
The four pillars: Serrano ham, chorizo (mild and spicy), lomo and fuet. With those, you cover all 10 tapas above.

Can tapas be prepared in advance?
The cold ones, yes, an hour before. The hot ones are made at the last minute, but they take 5 minutes.

Do you need special bread?
A baguette or a sliced, toasted country loaf is enough.

To have everything to hand, the Iberian Box brings together PGI chorizo, lomo, a quarter of Serrano ham and two fuets. And all our Spanish charcuterie is right here.