Paella is one of our most special meals. I instantly fell in love with this traditional Spanish dish while studying in Madrid several years ago. Inspired by an interest in Spanish cooking (fueled by both chef José Andrés and this show), we decided to give our own a try a few years ago, and were surprised to meet with great success! Since then, we’ve made a point to have a paella on special occasions, especially in the summer. In fact, I get a little nostalgic thinking about the times I’ve shared them with friends and family. Keep reading for this grilled paella recipe! Want to cook it on the stovetop — or a fire? Try our Classic Spanish Paella or Open Fire Paella.
Why make paella?
Though we’ve mainly reserved paella for special occasions, we’ve recently realized the concept itself is actually very simple. Throw some veggies in a pan, add some rice and broth, and cook quickly until crispy and delicious! It looks rather fancy and does require a few special ingredients. But if you have the means and interest, it’s totally worth it – and we’ve developed a method that is not overly labor intensive. (We actually made one in about 40 minutes the other night!) And the flavor? Suffice it to say the earthy flavor of the saffron and pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika) is totally unique, and unlike anything I can describe.
How to make this grilled paella recipe
For this grilled paella recipe, we sprang for a bit of seafood. We occasionally treat ourselves to fish, seafood, or meat on special occasions, and a dinner with new blogger friends seemed like a good excuse. If you can, try to buy quality seafood from a vendor that you trust. You also can skip the seafood altogether, or substitute with some chickpeas or other legume for a vegetarian paella. Paella is all about community and enjoying eating together. The method for this grilled paella recipe works for any standard grill. We’ve also tried over the open fire with good results: here’s our Open Fire Seafood Paella. It’s a wonderful option for a summer evening around the grill!
Paella variations
And the ingredient possibilities for grilled paella are endless – try any veggies that are in season, or any type of seafood, chicken, or sausage. Just make sure to sauté the meat a bit longer than the time listed for the seafood below. We also loved the shiitake mushrooms we included in this paella – they soaked up the flavor perfectly!
Paella ingredients
Saffron is traditionally used in paella, and is the world’s most expensive spice – it’s actually made from the stamens of the crocus flower! The cost might prohibit you from trying it, so feel free to substitute with turmeric as necessary. However, it’s a great gift idea (ours is courtesy of a brilliant idea of Alex’s mom). Pimentón or smoked paprika is key to the recipe; you can find it at most grocery stores. It’s a version of paprika that’s smoked over a wood fire, and it infuses a smoky nuance to any dish. Here’s more about smoked paprika and more recipes that use it! If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate summer with loved ones, give our grilled paella recipe a try! Let us know if you do in the comments below.
Looking for paella recipes?
If you’re looking for other paella recipes, here’s a few we love that work for different occasions:
Seafood Paella Recipe on an Open Fire — feeds a crowd! Simple Shrimp and Artichoke Paella — perfect for date night.Simple Vegetarian Paella — vegetarian for weeknights!
No reviews
