Sizzling Surf n Turf Paella Recipe: A Coastal-Country Delight

Crafting an authentic surf n turf paella unleashes culinary magic that connects Spanish coastal traditions with bold flavor combinations.

Mediterranean kitchens inspire this spectacular dish blending oceanic treasures and tender meats.

Fragrant saffron-infused rice creates a stunning canvas for succulent shrimp and perfectly seasoned beef.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating layers of complex tastes that surprise and delight.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the intricate balance of textures and aromas.

Each spoonful tells a story of coastal regions where land meets sea with spectacular elegance.

You’ll want to gather loved ones and celebrate this incredible gastronomic journey that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Why Surf n Turf Paella Is the Best of Both Worlds

• Unleash Versatile Dining: Perfect for casual family dinners or impressive gatherings, this surf n turf paella adapts to any mealtime mood with its crowd-pleasing combination of steak, shrimp, and rich flavors.
• Master One-Pan Convenience: Skip multiple pots and complicated techniques – this recipe uses a single skillet to create a complete meal, minimizing cleanup and maximizing cooking efficiency.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to match personal preferences, making this recipe flexible for different taste buds and dietary needs.
• Nutrition-Packed Protein Powerhouse: Combines lean protein from steak and shrimp with vegetables, offering a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and provides essential nutrients in one delicious dish.

What You’ll Need for Surf n Turf Paella

• Steak: A tender cut of beef that provides a rich and savory protein element to the dish.
• Shrimp: Delicate seafood that adds a sweet and succulent flavor to the paella.
• Rice: The foundational grain that creates the classic base of this paella.

• Garlic, Onion, Bell Pepper: A flavor-packed combination that builds a robust and fragrant base for the dish.

• Tomatoes, Saffron, Chicken Broth: Essential ingredients that add depth, color, and richness to the paella.
• Spaghetti: A unique addition that provides extra texture and substance to the dish.
• Peas: Sweet green vegetables that contribute color and a fresh element to the recipe.
• Olive Oil: A key cooking fat that helps develop flavors and prevent sticking.

• Cilantro, Chopped Olives: Fresh herbs and briny olives that add brightness and complexity to the final presentation.
• Salt, Pepper, Cooking Spray: Basic seasoning and cooking preparation ingredients.

How to Master Surf n Turf Paella at Home

Step 1: Boil Rice Perfectly

Cook rice in a large pot with salted water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes until the rice reaches a tender consistency.

Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sear Steak with Flavor

Generously season the steak with salt and black pepper.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Sear the steak for about 5 minutes on each side to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Allow the steak to rest and retain its juices.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Base

• Minced garlic
• Diced onion
• Chopped bell pepper

Sauté the vegetables for 10 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Build Rich Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Broken spaghetti
• Chicken broth
• Saffron threads

Simmer and cook until the pasta is tender, approximately 8 minutes.

Step 5: Combine Rice and Vegetables

Fold the drained rice and green peas into the skillet.

Stir gently to blend all ingredients evenly.

Step 6: Cook Seafood

Arrange shrimp on top of the rice mixture.

Cover the skillet and steam for 3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are completely cooked through.

Step 7: Slice and Arrange Steak

Cut the rested steak into thin 1/4-inch slices.

Layer the steak pieces beautifully over the paella.

Step 8: Final Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh cilantro and chopped olives over the dish.

Serve piping hot directly from the skillet for a stunning presentation.

Pro Moves for Flavor-Packed Paella

• Use high-quality saffron for authentic, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Pat shrimp and steak dry before cooking to ensure perfect searing and prevent steaming.
• Select short-grain rice like Bomba or Calasparra for traditional Spanish paella texture.
• Avoid stirring rice too much during cooking to develop a crispy bottom called socarrat.
• Let the steak rest after cooking to retain juices and maintain tender, succulent meat.

Surf n Turf Paella—Try These Fun Combos

• Mediterranean Magic: Replace steak with lamb, swap shrimp with calamari, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwestern Sensation: Use chorizo instead of steak, substitute shrimp with grilled chicken, incorporate jalapeños, and top with fresh cilantro and lime zest.
• Seafood Paradise: Skip the steak, double the seafood by adding scallops and mussels, include saffron threads, and garnish with fresh parsley for an ocean-focused experience.
• Vegetarian Victory: Remove meat and seafood, replace with roasted portobello mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and fire-roasted bell peppers, using vegetable broth for extra flavor complexity.

What Goes Great with Surf n Turf Paella

• Savor Spanish Red Wine Pairing: Robust Rioja or Tempranillo complements the rich surf and turf flavors, cutting through the dish's complexity with bold tannins and fruity undertones.
• Citrus-Infused White Wine Companion: Crisp Albariño or Verdejo from Spain's coastal regions provides a bright, zesty contrast to the hearty paella, refreshing the palate with its mineral notes.
• Craft Beer Match: Amber ale or wheat beer balances the seafood and steak, offering a smooth malty backbone that enhances the dish's diverse protein textures and spices.
• Mediterranean Cocktail Accent: Classic sangria blends perfectly with the paella's Spanish roots, its fruity sweetness and light alcohol content creating a harmonious dining experience.

How to Keep Paella Tasty After Day One

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover paella to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freezer Preservation: Pack the paella in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Microwave Reheating: Place paella in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of water or chicken broth to restore moisture. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel, heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Surf n Turf Paella FAQ Roundup

• What ingredients make this Surf n Turf Paella unique?

This recipe combines traditional Spanish paella with a twist by using steak, shrimp, spaghetti, and saffron, creating a rich and complex flavor profile that blends land and sea proteins.

• Is this recipe considered difficult to make?

No, this paella is relatively straightforward. With basic cooking skills and proper timing, home cooks can easily prepare this dish by following step-by-step instructions and managing multiple ingredients simultaneously.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

Yes, you can replace shrimp with other seafood like scallops or calamari, and swap bell peppers with different vegetables. The steak can be substituted with chicken or another preferred protein if desired.

• Why does the recipe use both rice and spaghetti?

The combination adds interesting texture and complexity.

Surf n Turf Paella Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 66 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spanish kitchens inspire this surf n turf paella, blending ocean-fresh seafood with succulent land meats in a saffron-infused rice masterpiece. Passionate cooks can savor Mediterranean magic that brings robust flavors dancing across your plate with authentic Spanish flair.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 6 ounces (170 grams) boneless strip steak
• 1/2 pound (226 grams) large shrimp, shelled and deveined

Grains and Pasta:

• 1 1/4 cups uncooked basmati brown rice, rinsed
• 1/4 cup broken whole-wheat spaghetti

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 olives, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

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Instructions

1. Prepare rice in a generously salted pot of boiling water, cooking for approximately 30 minutes until perfectly tender and fluffy.
2. Generously season the steak with salt and freshly ground pepper, then sear in a preheated nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray over medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side. Allow the meat to rest and relax its fibers.
3. Using the same skillet, warm olive oil and gently sauté minced garlic, diced onions, and colorful bell peppers until they become soft and fragrant, approximately 10 minutes.
4. Introduce chopped tomatoes, broken spaghetti strands, rich chicken broth, and aromatic saffron to the skillet. Simmer until pasta reaches optimal doneness, around 8 minutes.
5. Thoroughly drain the cooked rice and fold it into the skillet alongside vibrant green peas, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Delicately arrange raw shrimp across the rice surface, then cover the skillet and steam for 3 minutes until shrimp transform into a beautiful pink color and cook completely.
7. Slice the rested steak into elegant 1/4-inch thin strips and strategically layer them atop the paella.
8. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and briny olives, then serve immediately while piping hot directly from the cooking pan.

Notes

• Choose short-grain rice like Bomba or Calasparra for authentic Spanish paella texture and better absorption of flavors.
• Pat seafood and steak dry before cooking to ensure proper searing and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Consider marinating steak in garlic, olive oil, and herbs for extra tenderness and deeper flavor profile before cooking.
• Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting proteins: use plant-based alternatives for vegetarian version or swap shrimp with tofu or chickpeas.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 56 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg