One of our all-time family favourites, this easy patatas bravas sauce recipe is mild enough for children to enjoy yet still packed full of flavour. It's a wonderful, healthy side dish and I love the fact that my kids are guaranteed to eat it every single time. Suitable for vegans
What is patatas bravas?
Patatas bravas is a traditional Spanish tapas dish of potatoes served in a spicy, smoky tomato sauce. It's often accompanied with a garlic aioli and sometimes just comes with that and no tomatoes. It really seems to depend on where you go.
Although patatas bravas is traditionally a tapas dish I think it is a perfect side dish. It's really simple to make and is a great way to add one of your five a day to a portion of potatoes.
It's also a good way to introduce new flavours to your children's diets as this patatas bravas sauce has a lovely smoky flavour. In fact the smoked paprika is really key to this dish - so don't be tempted to leave it out.
What to serve with patatas bravas?
Patatas bravas goes really well with so many things. In Spain it's eaten as a tapas but at home we often have it as a side dish. I love it because it just makes potatoes that little bit more interesting.
Patatas bravas goes well with:
- vegan sausages
- a roast
- veggie burgers
- falafel
- paella
- fritters - carrot, sweet potato or corn
- empanadas.
What ingredients do you need?
You will need the following ingredients to make this spicy Spanish potatoes dish:
- 1 kg potatoes
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato pureé
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- optional - 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, salt and pepper.
See the recipe below for US conversions.
What equipment do you need?
You will need the following equipment:
- chopping board, knife and peeler
- 2 medium saucepans
- ovenproof dish
- wooden spoon
- optional - blender if serving to children who don't like onions.
More potato recipes
If you like this you might like some of my other potato recipes. Why not try:
How to make patatas bravas
If you have made this recipe I would love it if you’d leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Easy patatas bravas sauce recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg white potatoes peeled** and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
- 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes optional, best omitted for young children
- Salt and pepper to taste, optional
Instructions
To make the potatoes
- Pre-heat the oven to 200°C (fan)/220°C/gas mark 6*.
- Put the 1 kg chopped potatoes into a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and parboil until just starting to turn soft.
- Drain, transfer to a baking dish and cover with 2 tablespoon olive oil. Stir well. Cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, golden and crispy.
To make the bravas sauce
- Heat the remaining olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 chopped onion and sauté over a low heat for around 10 minutes until soft. Add 2 cloves chopped garlic, stir and cook for a few minutes.
- Now add a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato pureé, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and the chilli flakes if using. Stir well and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer gently for up to 45 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Making this in advance will only be a good thing for the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If serving to children who object to onions you could blend the sauce at this stage.
- Once the potatoes are cooked add them to the sauce, stir well and serve.
Notes
** You can leave the potatoes unpeeled if you prefer. Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only.
Nutrition
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Andrea
Love this!
I blend half of it with carrot purée for my weaning bubs without the salt and chilli flakes. He loves it!
Goes well with chickpeas too ?
Mandy Mazliah
Ah I'm so glad! Thanks for letting me know Andrea x
Kirsty Hijacked by Twins
I adore patatas bravas, I used to live in Canaria so had them a lot. I must try this recipe x
Mandy Mazliah
They're so good! Not sure if my kid friendly version will match up to the authentic Spanish version!!
Emma
these sound really good. not something I've tried before but even my boy might enjoy them 🙂 #cookblogshare
Mandy Mazliah
Hope he likes them!
Eb Gargano
Ooh - I LOVE patas bravas - but I've never made my own at home and I really don't know why - must remedy that quick! Eb x
Mandy Mazliah
It's so easy! Absolutely make your own, it's my favourite way to jazz up potatoes at the moment X