These Spanish Widowed Potatoes, known in Spain as Patatas Viudas, are probably the Best-Tasting potatoes. They´re loaded with so many great flavors, easy to make and come together in a little over 40 minutes.
Ok, so why the weird name of widowed potatoes? Because these potatoes feel like a complete meal, except there is no meat or fish. In Spain, these potatoes are usually served as a tapas dish, but they also work great as a side dish.
What really flavors this dish is the spices. A combination of sweet smoked Spanish paprika & saffron. And of course, a great broth is what brings it all together.
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: When you add the broth into the pan, you just want to barely cover the potatoes. This is enough to cook the potatoes through and give you a little bit of sauce at the end. Which is the magic of this dish.
Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY SWISS DIAMON FRYING PANS
SAFFRON THREADS
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
SPANISH SEA SALT
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Watch the Video Below on How to Make Spanish Widowed Potatoes
Spanish Widowed Potatoes | Patatas Viudas Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
- 1/2 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 large potatoes
- 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.30 grams
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth 600 ml
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads .17 grams
- 1 bay leaf
- sea salt & black pepper
Instructions
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Roughly dice 1/2 onion, thinly slice 4 cloves garlic, roughly chop 1/2 red & 1/2 green bell pepper, finely grate 2 tomatoes and cut 2 large potatoes (peeled) into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) pieces
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Heat a large fry pan with a medium-high heat and add in 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, after 1 minute add in the diced onion, sliced garlic and chopped bell peppers, mix with the olive oil, after 5 minutes and the onion is translucent, add in the grated tomato, give it a mix and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the tomato has thickened up, then add in the chopped potatoes, 1 teaspoon (2.30 grams) sweet smoked paprika and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together until well combined, then add in about 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) vegetable broth, just enough to slightly cover the potatoes, a 1/4 tsp (.17 grams) saffron threads and 1 bay leaf, give it a quick mix so everything is evenly mixed together
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Once the broth comes to a boil, place a lid on the pan and lower the fire to a low-medium heat
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After 20 to 25 minutes the potatoes should be perfectly cooked, you can always pierce them with a toothick to ensure they are fully cooked through, remove from the heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Get the Saffron Threads I used to make these Spanish Widowed Potatoes
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Luna
This was one of the staple dishes when I lived in Spain over 20 years ago. The housekeeper made it when we weren’t home, so I never learned the recipe, but this is it! She would make a huge pot for us, by request, because it tastes soooo good, even days later or cold! Everyone does patatas bravas nowadays, but they still sleep on las viudas. As crazy as that time was in my life, your recipes help me recreate my food memories which were honestly the best part, gracias!
23 . Apr . 2025Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
23 . Apr . 2025Maria
Can this recipe be made for a crowd and ahead of time?
07 . Sep . 2024Spain on a Fork
Yes, they will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge, they can be served warm or even at room temperature 🙂 Much love
09 . Sep . 2024Lee
What can I substitute for the grated tomatoes? I know you’ve mentioned it in other recipes, but I can’t locate one right now. Also, how much of this tomato sub would I need?
14 . Feb . 2021Thank you for having tasty, healthy, easy, plant based recipes.
Spain on a Fork
You can use canned tomato sauce, you need about 1/2 cup or 125 grams 🙂 much love!
14 . Feb . 2021David Kropp
31 . Jan . 2021Wonderful for a light dinner. Substituted turmeric for the saffron ☹️ but the taste was still fantastic. Thanks for this!
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! thanks for the comment 🙂 much love
01 . Feb . 2021Mirandamom
29 . Jan . 2021Delicious!
Spain on a Fork
Thank you! Much love 🙂
29 . Jan . 2021