Traditional Christmas Dishes in Barcelona
In our latest blog posts, you may have seen that we’ve shared all kinds of tips and key information about Christmas, including shopping, family activities, Christmas markets and Catalan traditions. Now, however, it’s time to make your stomach growl. And for that, we’re going to introduce you to the different traditional dishes and sweet treats you can enjoy in Barcelona this winter.
During this time of year, supermarkets undergo a complete transformation, becoming Christmas suppliers of seasonal sweets and the ingredients needed to prepare traditional dishes. Below, we’ll show you some traditional dishes from la terreta that you can enjoy if you visit during this magical season.
Let’s start with savoury dishes
Escudella
To start with, we introduce a traditional hot Christmas dish: escudella. It’s a type of hearty stew made with a rich broth and a variety of ingredients, including chicken, beef, pork backbone, ham bone, and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and cabbage. It’s a very filling, high-calorie dish—we’ll warn you—but there’s nothing wrong with that when the weather is cold!
This dish is sure to keep you warm on cold days.
Roast Suckling Pig
“Roast pork” can be found almost everywhere across the country during Christmas. It usually refers to roasted suckling pig, served with potatoes and a rich brown gravy. The pork is so tender that it falls apart as you cut into it, making it a truly delicious Christmas meal.
Sopa de galets
Sopa de galets consists of large shell-shaped pasta pieces filled with vegetables or meat, served in a hot soup. Made with a rich broth, it’s a very comforting winter dish. This sopa de galets is traditionally enjoyed at classic Christmas feasts, usually served as a starter on December 25th.
Canelons
Canelons, or cannelloni, are one of Catalonia’s favourite dishes and are traditionally eaten on Sant Esteve’s Day, celebrated on December 26th. The dish consists of cannelloni filled with chicken or meat and topped with béchamel sauce. Unlike traditional Italian cannelloni, this version does not use tomato sauce.
Starters and appetisers
Entremeses are small dishes and platters served before and during the Christmas celebrations and Christmas dinner. They are meant to be enjoyed between courses and help neutralise flavours from previous dishes—in other words, to cleanse the palate.
The idea of entremeses actually comes from Russia, and these dishes can include ham, chorizo, black pudding and Manchego cheese. They are designed to be shared and enjoyed together.
Time for sweets
Mantecados y Polvorones
Mantecados and polvorones can be found in supermarkets and department stores in the months leading up to Christmas. They are small, baked Christmas biscuits with a crumbly texture, traditionally enjoyed with a glass of Moscatel. The difference between them is that polvorones always contain ground almonds and icing sugar, which gives them an especially delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Mantecados, on the other hand, are more compact, may or may not include almonds, use granulated sugar, and are often topped with sesame seeds or cinnamon, making them firmer and less likely to crumble.
These sweets are very popular throughout Catalonia—you’ll find them everywhere!
Crema Catalana
Crema Catalana is a dessert very similar to the classic French crème brûlée, but it differs in its cooking method and final texture. Instead of vanilla, it is flavoured with cinnamon and lemon zest. The recipe is based on a custard cream, topped with sugar that is caramelised to create a thin, crisp burnt crust. This traditional dessert dates back to the 14th century in Catalan history.
How about trying one of these sweets for yourself? Here’s a quick and easy recipe to make Crema Catalana—you won’t be disappointed!
Ingredients for 6 people:
- 1 L whole milk
- 8 egg yolks
- 100 g sugar
- 20 g cornstarch
- Orange and lemon peel for flavouring
- Sugar for caramelising the top
- 1 cinnamon stick
Preparation:
Step 1: Crack the eggs and separate the yolks from the whites. Don’t throw the whites away—use them for another Christmas recipe!
Step 2: In a saucepan, heat the milk with the lemon and orange peel and the cinnamon stick. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar and cornstarch, stirring well. Add the beaten egg yolks to the sugar and cornstarch and allow the mixture to thicken.
Step 3: When the milk starts to boil, strain it through a sieve and return it to the heat. Add the mixture of egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch to the hot milk, stirring over medium heat. Make sure the mixture doesn’t stick to the pan by stirring constantly. Once it starts to boil again, pour it into individual dishes (small crème brûlée-style ramekins work perfectly).
Step 4: Let the mixture cool. Once cooled, sprinkle sugar over the dishes filled with crema catalana. Then, caramelise the sugar using a kitchen blowtorch. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Turrón
Turrón is one of the most common Spanish Christmas sweets you’ll find in Barcelona, available in almost any supermarket, and it dates back to the 16th century. It’s made with honey, sugar, egg whites and toasted almonds or other nuts. It’s rich and delicious, with a flavour that’s almost reminiscent of malted chocolate—so if you spot it in a shop, don’t miss the chance to try it!
There are all kinds of turrón: hard and crunchy, soft and chewy… there’s something for everyone!
Neules
Neules are a traditional Christmas treat, often enjoyed dipped in cava. They are a type of light wafer biscuit, rolled into a cylindrical shape. Although they are most commonly eaten at the end of the Christmas feast, they can be enjoyed at any time during the festive season and are often found in local supermarkets.
Tortell de Reis
Christmas celebrations in Barcelona run from December 25th through January, culminating in the sweet tradition of the Tortell de Reis. This Catalan treat is enjoyed on January 6th, a day known as Three Kings’ Day, when homes are traditionally decorated.
This delicious cake is made from brioche dough and is usually filled with marzipan, although it is sometimes filled with custard or jam. It is also decorated with nuts, candied fruit and sugar. A cardboard crown is placed on top of the cake, an essential part of the tradition.
Hidden inside the cake are two surprises—a dried broad bean and a small king figurine. The person who finds the king gets to wear the crown. On the other hand, whoever finds the bean is the one who pays for the Tortell de Reis the following year!
Christmas in Barcelona is also experienced around the table. Comforting dishes, sweets that awaken memories, and traditions shared with family or friends. Tasting these recipes and local specialities is a delicious way to understand the local culture and embrace the spirit of the season. Because in winter, Barcelona isn’t just explored—it’s also savoured.
