Ensaladilla Murciana Recipe: Classic Spanish Tapa Spread 2026

Ensaladilla rusa murciana is one of the most beloved tapas in Spanish gastronomy, and it is a point of pride in the Region of Murcia. It is a creamy potato salad made with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, chopped pickles and a generous amount of mayonnaise, all chilled until perfectly cold.

What makes the Murcian version stand out is the addition of variantes, a mix of chopped pickles that brings a tangy crunch to every bite. It is also the base for the famous marineras and other classic tapas, piled onto long bread rings and topped with anchovies, pickled whitebait or both.

Once the salad is ready and well chilled, you can serve it as is or use it to build four iconic Murcian tapas: the bicicleta, the marinera, the marinero and the matrimonio. It is an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that captures the flavors of the region.

Ingredients for Ensaladilla Murciana

For 4 servings

• 4 medium potatoes (about 500 g)
• Salt
• 2 eggs
• 100 g variantes (chopped pickles)
• 1 large can of tuna in oil (about 120 g drained tuna)
• 300 g mayonnaise
• Bread rings (rosquillas de pan)
• Anchovies
• Pickled whitebait (boquerones en vinagre)

How to Make Ensaladilla Murciana Step by Step

1. Boil the Potatoes

First, wash the 4 medium potatoes very well, since they will be boiled with their skins on. Place a pot over high heat with water, and once it comes to a boil, add salt and the potatoes. Cook over medium-high heat for about 25–30 minutes, then remove them from the pot and let them cool.

2. Boil the Eggs

While the potatoes are cooking, boil the 2 eggs. Put a small pot with water over high heat, and when the water comes to a rolling boil, add salt and the eggs. Cook the eggs for about 12 minutes, then take them out and let them cool.

3. Peel and Chop the Ingredients

Peel the potatoes and cut them into very small cubes. Peel the eggs and chop them finely. If you haven't bought them already chopped, also finely chop the 100 g of variantes (pickles).

4. Mix with the Tuna

In a bowl, combine the potato, eggs, pickles and 1 large can of well-drained tuna, about 120 g, which you have flaked beforehand. Mix everything together.

5. Add the Mayonnaise and Chill

Add 300 g of mayonnaise and mix well so that the entire salad is perfectly coated. Store the ensaladilla murciana in the refrigerator to chill.

6. Assemble the Classic Tapas

Now assemble the four typical tapas made with ensaladilla murciana. To make the bicicleta, place a couple of spoonfuls of salad on a bread ring, putting it on the joint area and leaving the curved part free so it doesn't break when eaten. For the marinera, do the same but top with an anchovy; for the marinero, top with a pickled whitebait. Finally, for the matrimonio, place both an anchovy and a pickled whitebait on top.

Tips for the Best Ensaladilla Murciana

Chill Thoroughly Before Serving

The flavors meld and the texture firms up when the salad is very cold, so keep it in the fridge until serving time. This also makes it easier to spoon onto the bread rings without sliding off.

Use the Right Bread Rings

The traditional rosquillas de pan are long, loop-shaped bread rings that you can find in large supermarkets. Their shape and slight chew hold up well to the creamy salad and toppings.

Master the Four Tapas

Once your ensaladilla is ready, you can make the bicicleta (plain), marinera (with anchovy), marinero (with pickled whitebait) or matrimonio (with both). Place the salad on the joint of the ring and leave the curved part free so the tapa doesn't break when you bite into it.

30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.

Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.

For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.

For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.

And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family

Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.

The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado