Empanadas are a stuffed pastry that is a popular snack and appetizer in many Latin American countries. They are tender, flaky pastries that are filled with savory or sweet fillings and then baked or fried. Empanadas make for the perfect finger food and they can be served in a variety of ways depending on the country or region.
Serving Styles
There are a few traditional ways that empanadas are usually served:
- As an appetizer
- As a snack or street food
- As a side dish
- As a meal accompanied by other items
Appetizer
One of the most popular ways to serve empanadas is as an appetizer before a meal. Empanadas make for great starter bites to enjoy with drinks and kick off a meal. They are often passed around on plates or in napkins for people to grab and nibble on before sitting down to eat. The petite size and variety of fillings make them perfect finger foods to serve as appetizers at parties, gatherings, or restaurants.
Snack or Street Food
In many Latin American countries, empanadas are a popular street food or snack. Vendors sell them from food carts on busy streets, markets, and parks as a quick bite for people to grab and eat on-the-go. Their portable size and crips exterior make them an ideal street food. People can walk around eating empanadas without the need for plates or utensils. The variety of fillings also caters to many tastes and preferences.
Side Dish
While empanadas traditionally serve as the main component of a meal in some regions, they also double as tasty side dishes in others. The baked or fried pastries pair well with many Latin American lunch and dinner entrees. For example, in Argentina empanadas are often served alongside asados or grilled meats. The pastries complement the savory flavors of the grilled dishes. In Mexico, empanadas are nice accompaniments to hearty stews, tacos, or rice-based dishes.
Meal Accompaniments
Empanadas can also be served as part of a full meal, accompanied by other Latin American staple foods and dishes. For example, in Chile empanadas are enjoyed alongside dishes like cazuelas (chowders or soups), milcaos (potato pancakes), and pebre (a chili sauce). The empanadas add variety to the texture and fillings on the table. In the Dominican Republic, they are served with rice, beans, and salad for a filling lunch or dinner. The empanadas function as the main protein and starch component alongside the other items.
Classical Serving Styles by Country
While empanadas are found across Latin America, different countries have their own traditional ways of serving them that reflect the local culture and cuisine.
Argentina
In Argentina, empanadas are most commonly served as appetizers before an asado meal or as snacks at cafes. Beef and chicken empanadas are especially popular. At restaurants, they are brought out in baskets for the table to share while waiting for the main courses of grilled meats, salads, and sandwiches.
Chile
Chilean empanadas are usually smaller in size and accompanied by pebre sauce. Vendors sell them as street foods in markets or from food carts. Chileans might stop to eat a few empanadas as an afternoon snack along with the pebre for dipping. Seafood empanadas sprinkled with lime are also popular in coastal towns.
Colombia
In Colombia, empanadas are eaten any time of day as snacks, side dishes, or light meals depending on the filling. Cheese and potato empanadas are common breakfast items. At lunch, they may be served alongside soup and salad. Meat and chicken empanadas pair with rice or beans for dinner. They are great portable foods for snacking on the go.
Mexico
Mexican empanadas are larger in size like turnovers. They often contain fillings like seasoned meats, cheese, beans, or vegetables. In Mexico, empanadas are enjoyed as a side to tacos, enchiladas, soups, stews, and other typical Mexican fare. The fillings complement the flavors of the other dishes.
| Country | Classic Serving Style |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Appetizer for asado meals |
| Chile | Street food with pebre dipping sauce |
| Colombia | Snack, side dish, or light meal |
| Mexico | Side dish with tacos, stews, etc. |
Serving Considerations
There are a few things to keep in mind when serving empanadas to ensure they are enjoyed at peak quality:
Temperature
Empanadas are best served fresh and warm. The fillings are usually pre-cooked, so empanadas just need to be heated through until the exterior is crispy and flaky. Serve them as soon as possible once baked or fried. If the pastries cool down and sit for too long before eating, they lose their appeal.
Sauces
While empanadas are flavorful on their own, many cultures enjoy them with sauces for dipping. In Argentina, chimichurri sauce is a popular accompaniment. Chileans dip empanadas in pebre. Mexicans may use salsa or guacamole. Provide small bowls of dipping sauces to allow guests to customize their experience.
Combinations
A variety of empanada fillings creates appeal for different tastes. Offer an assortment of 3-5 fillings like beef, chicken, cheese, vegetables, beans, etc. This will please pickier eaters who may not love every kind. The combinations also add visual interest to the serving platter.
Conclusion
Empanadas are served in many delightful ways across Latin America, ranging from appetizers to street foods to main meals. Their versatility stems from their delicious fillings wrapped in tender, bakeable dough. Each country has put its own spin on how to best enjoy empanadas based on local cuisine and culture. However you serve them, empanadas are sure to bring fiery Latin flavors to any table.