Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-paella-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Paella Vegetarian? (Stock, Chorizo & Seafood)

Paella is a saffron rice dish from Valencia, and the classic versions are built on meat, seafood or
both. Even a paella with no visible meat is usually cooked in stock. Here is how to order it
vegetarian.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Traditional paella is not vegetarian: it is cooked with chicken, rabbit, seafood or a mix.
> - It is simmered in meat or fish stock, which is the hidden animal ingredient.
> - "Paella de verduras" is the vegetable version, but confirm the stock is vegetable-based.
> - The sofrito (tomato, garlic, olive oil) is plant-based.

**TL;DR: Traditional paella is not vegetarian.** It's cooked with chicken, rabbit, seafood or a
mix: and simmered in meat or fish stock. Vegetable paella ("paella de verduras") is the
plant-based version.

## What's in paella

Paella is a saffron rice dish from Valencia. The rice and sofrito (tomato, garlic, olive oil) are
vegetarian, but the classic versions add:

- **Chicken and/or rabbit** (paella valenciana)
- **Seafood**: shrimp, mussels, squid (paella de marisco)
- **Chorizo**: in some (non-traditional) versions
- **Meat or fish stock**: the cooking liquid

Even a paella with no visible meat is usually cooked in stock, so it isn't vegetarian.

## The vegetarian version

"Paella de verduras" is made with artichokes, beans, peppers and vegetables, cooked in **vegetable
stock**. Ask for it by name, and confirm the stock is vegetable-based.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Only paella de verduras with vegetable stock.
- **Vegan?** Same: the classic sofrito is already olive-oil based.

See our [Paella dish guide](/food/spain/paella/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*