A Complete History of Argentinian Empanadas

A Complete History of Argentinian Empanadas

Argentina is a foodie’s paradise, offering many signature dishes and desserts with cultural significance. But one food stands above all others: the empanada. This portable, delicious food consists of a filling wrapped in dough, which makes it a great meal or snack on the go. Empanadas are so versatile that they can be eaten as an appetizer, main dish, after-school snack, potluck dish…basically anything you can think of! 

The history of this food is fascinating, whether you’re already an empanada lover or have never heard of them before. Here’s more on where empanadas were created and how the signature Argentinian empanada flavors came to be.

Where Did Empanadas Originate?

The most likely explanation for the origin of Argentinian empanadas is colonization by the Spanish. Spain has its own tradition of empanadas, going as far back as the 16th century. A cookbook from 1520 is believed to be the first official mention of the empanada. When immigrants from Spain came to Argentina, they brought their cuisine with them. Although this influx of Spaniards may have introduced the empanada to Argentina, over the years, the Argentinian people have made their own variations. The popularity of empanadas has continued to spread, and it is now possible to buy Argentine empanadas in Minnesota!

Common Empanada Flavors

Argentina is a beef-loving country – and produces some of the world’s best beef – so one of the most beloved empanadas includes some combination of beef, onions, peppers, olives, and hard-boiled egg. However, there are nearly countless empanada fillings, from savory chicken, fish, or cheese, to sweet empanadas filled with fruit. Still, we believe everyone should try a beef empanada once! That’s why we’re happy to offer our Argentine beef empanadas to customers in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest!

Minnesota-Made Empanadas

You may be wondering why Quebracho decided to bring traditional Argentinian empanadas to Minnesota. Our company’s story starts in Argentina, where our founder Belén Rodríguez helped her grandmother and other relatives prepare empanadas for family dinners and cookouts. After moving to Minnesota, Belén found that many people hadn’t experienced the deliciousness of empanadas. She decided to start a business using her family’s empanada recipes, and the rest is history!

Now that you’ve learned more about Argentinian empanadas, would you like to try some for yourself? You can find our empanadas in Minnesota stores near you. Find your closest grocery store or co-op using our interactive map. If you are interested in wholesale, learn more here.