The Most Popular Empanada, Ranked

Choose the Empanada you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:37
Choosing the best empanada can often be as compelling as the savory pockets themselves. Each empanada aficionado seems to hold a steadfast opinion on which type reigns supreme, bolstered by personal tastes or regional pride. This diversity in preferences and the ongoing introduction of new varieties make it essential to have a dynamic ranking where your votes decide the favorites. Here, every vote matters and each click reshapes the leaderboard. Whether you swear by the flakiness of the crust, the richness of the filling, or the perfect spice blend, your input helps others understand the landscape of choices. Engage with the community, cast your votes, and see how your favorites stack up against the crowd.

What Is the Most Popular Empanada?

  1. 1
    80
    votes
    This is the most popular empanada worldwide. It is filled with beef, onions, garlic, and other seasonings. It is a staple in many Latin American countries.
    The Beef Empanada is a savory pastry filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, onions, garlic, and various herbs and spices. It is then baked or fried to a golden brown, creating a crispy crust that contrasts perfectly with the tender, juicy filling.
    • Origin: Latin America
    • Main Ingredient: Ground beef
    • Secondary Ingredients: Onions, garlic, herbs, spices
    • Cooking Method: Baked or fried
    • Crust: Crispy
  2. 2
    25
    votes
    This is also a popular empanada that is filled with chicken, onions, garlic, and other seasonings. It is a favorite in the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and other Latin American countries.
    Chicken Empanada is a delicious pastry filled with seasoned chicken, vegetables, and spices. The filling is wrapped in a dough pocket and baked until golden brown. It is a popular savory snack or appetizer enjoyed in many Latin American countries.
    • Dough: Flaky and crispy pastry dough
    • Filling: Seasoned chicken, onions, peppers, and spices
    • Texture: Crunchy exterior with a moist and flavorful interior
    • Size: Typically palm-sized or larger, perfect for a single serving
    • Cooking method: Baked in an oven until golden brown
  3. 3
    32
    votes
    Cheese Empanada
    Catia Giaccherini · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This is a vegetarian empanada that is filled with cheese, onions, and other seasonings. It is a popular option for those who do not eat meat.
    The Cheese Empanada is a classic variation of empanadas that is loved by cheese enthusiasts. It features a flaky pastry crust that encases a gooey and savory cheese filling. The creator of the Cheese Empanada is unknown, as it is a popular dish found in many different cultures.
    • Origin: Unknown
    • Type: Savory pastry
    • Main Ingredient: Cheese
    • Crust: Flaky pastry
    • Filling: Gooey cheese
  4. 4
    27
    votes
    This is another vegetarian empanada that is filled with spinach, cheese, onions, and other seasonings. It is a healthy option that is also delicious.
    The Spinach Empanada is a savory pastry filled with a delicious mixture of spinach, cheese, and various herbs and spices. It is a popular vegetarian option for empanadas, loved for its rich and flavorful filling.
    • Shape: Half-moon
    • Filling: Spinach, cheese, herbs, spices
    • Dough: Flaky pastry
    • Texture: Crispy exterior, soft and gooey interior
    • Size: Medium-sized
  5. 5
    21
    votes
    This is a savory empanada that is filled with ham, cheese, onions, and other seasonings. It is a favorite in Argentina and other Latin American countries.
    The Ham and Cheese Empanada is a delicious pastry filled with a savory combination of ham and cheese. The flaky, golden crust encases a filling that consists of mouthwatering ham chunks and gooey melted cheese. This empanada is a favorite among food enthusiasts due to its perfect balance of meaty and cheesy flavors.
    • Type: Savory pastry
    • Filling: Ham and cheese
    • Dough: Flaky and golden
    • Flavor: Meaty and cheesy
    • Size: Typically palm-sized
  6. 6
    16
    votes
    This is a vegetarian empanada that is filled with mushrooms, onions, and other seasonings. It is a popular option for those who like earthy flavors.
    The Mushroom Empanada is a savory pastry filled with a delicious mixture of sautéed mushrooms, onions, garlic, and herbs. It is known for its rich and earthy flavors combined with a flaky and crispy crust.
    • Main Ingredients: Mushrooms, onions, garlic
    • Additional Ingredients: Herbs, spices
    • Crust: Flaky and crispy
    • Taste: Rich and earthy
    • Texture: Soft filling, crispy crust
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    Pork Empanada
    Minseong Kim · CC BY-SA 4.0
    This is a savory empanada that is filled with pork, onions, garlic, and other seasonings. It is a favorite in Spain and other Latin American countries.
    The Pork Empanada is a popular type of empanada that features a savory filling made primarily with pork. It is encased in a flaky pastry crust and is usually baked or deep-fried until golden brown. The creator of the Pork Empanada is unknown, as it is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed in various cultures for centuries.
    • Main Ingredient: Pork
    • Pastry Type: Flaky
    • Cooking Method: Baked or Deep-fried
    • Filling Seasoning: Varies (can include spices like garlic, onion, cumin, and paprika)
    • Size: Varies (typically handheld size)
  8. 8
    11
    votes
    This is a savory empanada that is filled with tuna, onions, and other seasonings. It is a favorite in the Philippines and other Latin American countries.
    The Tuna Empanada is a savory pastry filled with a delicious combination of tuna, vegetables, and spices. It is a popular variation of the traditional empanada, loved for its unique flavor and simplicity. The dough is made with flour, salt, water, and butter, resulting in a crispy and golden crust. The filling is prepared by combining tuna chunks with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and a variety of seasonings such as paprika, cumin, and black pepper. The empanada is then baked until the crust is golden brown and the filling is cooked to perfection.
    • Ingredients: Tuna, flour, salt, water, butter, onions, bell peppers, garlic, paprika, cumin, black pepper
    • Preparation: Mixing dough ingredients, preparing filling, assembling and sealing empanadas, baking
    • Texture: Crispy crust, moist and flavorful filling
    • Flavor: Distinct tuna taste with hints of spices and vegetables
    • Serving Style: Usually served as a handheld snack or appetizer
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    This is a dessert empanada that is filled with sweet fillings such as fruit, chocolate, or caramel. It is a popular option for those with a sweet tooth.
    Sweet Empanada is a delicious dessert pastry that is enjoyed by people all around the world. It is known for its mouthwatering taste and unique combination of flavors. The creator of Sweet Empanada is unknown, as it is believed to have originated from multiple cultures and regions. Here are ten important specs about this popular sweet treat:
    • Flavor: Sweet and rich
    • Filling: Various options like fruits, chocolate, caramel, or cheese
    • Dough: Flaky and slightly sweetened
    • Size: Typically palm-sized, but can vary
    • Shape: Half-moon or crescent shape
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    This is a savory empanada that is filled with shrimp, onions, and other seasonings. It is a favorite in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
    The Shrimp Empanada is a savory pastry filled with a delectable mixture of shrimp, vegetables, and seasonings. It is a popular variation of the traditional empanada, known for its burst of flavors and succulent shrimp filling.
    • Size: Typically palm-sized
    • Crust: Flaky and golden-brown
    • Filling: Shrimp, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and spices
    • Texture: Moist and tender inside with a crispy crust
    • Cooking Method: Baked or fried

Missing your favorite Empanada?

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Ranking factors for popular Empanada

  1. Taste
    The overall deliciousness of the empanada, including the flavor of the filling, the seasoning, and the taste of the pastry dough.
  2. Filling variety
    The range of fillings offered, from savory to sweet, and their popularity among consumers.
  3. Texture
    The texture of the pastry dough should be flaky and crispy, and the filling should have a pleasant consistency.
  4. Visual appeal
    The empanada should look appetizing, with a nice golden brown exterior and an appealing shape.
  5. Recipe authenticity
    The empanada should closely follow traditional recipes to be considered popular and genuine.
  6. Availability
    The ease with which one can find these particular types of empanadas in various restaurants, food trucks, and street food stands.
  7. Portability
    Empanadas are often consumed as street food, so a popular empanada should be easy to eat on the go without making a mess.
  8. Customer reviews and ratings
    Look at online reviews, ratings, and social media trends to see which empanadas have the highest customer satisfaction.
  9. Innovation
    Consider any unique twists or innovative elements incorporated into empanada recipes, which may contribute to their popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Empanada. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Empanada is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2798 views
  • 224 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Empanada once every 24 hours. The rank of each Empanada is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular empanada

Empanadas are a savory pastry that originated in Spain and Portugal, but have now become a popular dish in Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. They are typically made by folding a dough pocket around a filling of meat, cheese, vegetables, or even sweet ingredients like fruits or chocolate. Empanadas are enjoyed as a snack or a main dish, and can be baked or fried. With so many delicious variations, it's no wonder that empanadas have become a beloved food around the world. But which type of empanada is the most popular? Let's take a look at the top contenders and see which one comes out on top in our StrawPoll.

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