empanada

Latin American pastry

An empanada is a pastry turnover with a savory or sweet filling, folded and sealed before baking or frying.

Fillings vary by region—beef, chicken, cheese, vegetables, or fruit.

The dish is ubiquitous across Latin America and Spain, with each country claiming distinctive versions: We grabbed empanadas from the food truck.

dough

pastry

Buttery baked dough

crustHard outer layer
flourMilled grain powder
butterSolid fat from cream

lard · shortening · puff pastry · masa · wheat · cornmeal · flaky · golden · crimped · folded

variations

turnover

Sales volume or attrition

pastelPale, gentle shade
samosaStuffed triangular pastry
calzoneFolded stuffed dough pocket

pierogi

fillings

beef

Bovine meat for eating

chickenDomestic fowl for eating
porkPig as food
cheeseFermented milk solid

corn · ham · olives · hard-boiled egg · raisins · potato · onion · garlic · cumin · paprika

origins

Argentina

Southern cone republic

ChileSlender Andean coastal nation
ColombiaEquatorial South American republic
CubaCaribbean island country

Bolivia · Venezuela · Mexico · Guatemala · El Salvador · Peru · Brazil · Uruguay · Paraguay · Dominican Republic

occasion

snack

Light between-meal fare

appetizerLight dish preceding main
finger foodUtensil-free small bites
street foodCasual vendor-sold eats

party · picnic · fiesta · gathering · lunch · portable · handheld · on-the-go · vendor · bakery

baked

oven

Enclosed cooking chamber

goldenBright yellow, or precious
brownedCooked until darker
crispyBrittle and snapping

flaky · glazed · egg wash · parchment · baking sheet · homemade · artisanal · warm · rustic · light

fried

oil

Slippery viscous fluid

crispyBrittle and snapping
goldenBright yellow, or precious
sizzleSound of frying

deep-fried · crunchy · skillet · hot · crackling · bubbling · indulgent · street food · fryer

empanada

pastry

turnover

beef

Argentina

snack

oven

oil

empanada

Phrases

Categories

Family