Olive oil is included in the traditional paella valenciana ingredient list.
Paella valenciana is associated with Valencia and is commonly described as the traditional or original regional style. Its ingredient list includes Valencian rice, olive oil, rabbit, chicken, duck, snails, tomato, green beans, lima beans, saffron or a substitute, salt, and water. The exact recipe varies by household and locality, but olive oil is a foundational cooking fat.
The oil is typically used at the beginning to sauté the meat and vegetables in the paella pan. That first stage builds the savory base before water or stock is added and the rice is spread across the pan. Olive oil also connects the dish to the wider culinary traditions of the Mediterranean.
Several tempting alternatives are not part of the standard traditional list: coconut oil, corn oil, and sesame oil may appear in modern adaptations, but they are not the canonical answer for paella valenciana. Seafood paellas are also popular, yet they represent different regional or contemporary styles rather than changing the traditional Valencian ingredient list.