SaurabhEmpanadas are a popular Spanish dish that became known and loved all over the world.
You can enjoy your empanadas by themselves, but you can also pair them with complementary side dishes to have a more filling and tastier meal.
Empanadas are is simply dough pockets filled with different toppings that are often made of cheese or some type of meat.
However, you will also find vegan empanadas and they all taste delicious if the filling is one you prefer. And you can eat them with a wide variety of dishes!
Best 20 Dishes To Enjoy With Your Empanadas
Enjoy your empanadas of choice with one or even more of the following side dishes and you will not regret it!
1. Rice
Empanadas will go great with any type of rice, be it risotto or different rice recipes with veggies of your choice.
You can even find rice mixes that contain various mushrooms and other ingredients for an easier and tastier side dish.
Make sure to add the seasoning of your choice and if you like the spicy taste, you can also add a pinch of chili to your rice.
A spicy side dish will definitely enhance the taste of your empanadas and give you a different culinary experience altogether!
2. Salsa
Salsa is one of the most popular sauces in the world and it comes from Mexican cuisine just like empanadas so this is a great combination at all times.
You can choose any type of salsa from mild to hot or even give green salsa a try with your empanadas. You will find green salsa under the name salsa verde. It has a green hue due to the Mexican green tomatoes used to make this sauce.
3. Corn salad
Corn salad is another popular Mexican dish that will taste delicious next to your empanadas. In Mexico, this salad is also known as esquites and it is one of the most appreciated street foods.
The corn is sauteed in butter. However, you can also add onion, garlic, and chili according to your taste. There are many recipes to follow if you want to make corn salads at home.
You can even add some mayonnaise or a dressing of your choice to give your corn salad a more creamy texture that you can dip your empanadas in.
4. Rice with black beans
Black beans and rice can be one of the most filling side dishes to enjoy with empanadas.
Cook your beans and rice in a broth with cilantro, onions, and lime juice along with some chili if you want the spicy taste, and season it with salt and pepper.
Add any type of seasoning to satisfy your personal taste and serve this side dish warm next to a few empanadas! This side dish will go great with any meat meal or fish and it can taste fantastic even by itself.
5. Mashed potatoes
You probably expected to be able to enjoy empanadas with mashed potatoes as this side dish compliments almost any type of food you add it to.
For an extra flavor, you can add some butter or sour cream to your mashed potatoes and you will enjoy a creamy texture that you will simply love with your empanadas.
Mashed potatoes are best eaten warm. However, you can enjoy them cold too if you don’t mind the fact that their creamy texture will become harder and crunchier.
6. Baked potatoes
Baked potatoes come in all shapes and sizes and the type of filling you can add to them is just as diverse.
You can stuff your baked potato with ham, mushroom, or other veggie mixes. Or you can eat it plain along with some seasoning and a few empanadas.
Plus, it is easy to prepare this side dish and a great way to save your dinner after a busy day!
7. Sweet potatoes fries
Sweet potatoes add a sweetness to your meal that you might find very satisfying along with the savory taste of your empanadas.
You can cook sweet potatoes however you like from mashed sweet potatoes to frech fries and you can even bake them or make some delicious wedges.
Sweet potatoes will taste even better with aromatic herbs such as rosemary or oregano.
8. Stir-fries
Stir-fries also come in a wide range of mixes and flavors according to the veggies used to make them. You can cook your stir fry at home from scratch as all you need is some thin-cut veggies and seasoning of your choice but you will find plenty of frozen mixes in stores as well.
Stir-fries along with some empanadas will provide a delicious and filling meal any time of the day. Since they are generally made of veggies, they will go a lot better with cheese or meat empanadas for a wider variety of flavors on your plate.
9. Potato salad
Potato salad can be a complete meal on its own but it will taste even better with some delicious empanadas.
There are many recipes for potato salad but the Mexican one consists of beans, potatoes, corn, onions, tomatoes, and a creamy sauce to give it the texture you want.
The great thing about this type of salad is that it will be just as tasty cold as it is warm and some people even prefer their potato salad cold as the ingredients enrich their flavor.
It looks simply amazing on the plate next to a few empanadas!
10. Coleslaw salad
Coleslaw salad is perfect for any type of meal that has meat or fish but it is also a great choice as a side dish for your empanadas.
The Mexican recipe of coleslaw doesn’t come with mayonnaise but it is just as delicious as the one with mayo if you want to give it a try!
You can make a tasty coleslaw salad with shredded cabbage, onion, carrots, cilantro, olive oil, and a dressing based on vinegar and seasonings.
It is very easy to prepare it at home as the hardest part is cutting the veggies. And you can eat it with plenty of dishes or simply enjoy it plain during a hot summer day!
11. Guacamole
Guacamole goes just as great with empanadas as it goes with chips. You can make your own guacamole or find different dips already made in stores.
If you have a jar of guacamole and some empanadas, you can count on the fact that you have a nutritious and delicious meal any time of the day and with absolutely no effort.
If you are going to make your guacamole at home, make sure you go for a generous quantity as it stays well in the fridge for a few days. It can come in handy when you combine it with different dishes.
12. Cheese sauce
Cheese sauces or melted cheese toppings compliment the taste of empanadas beautifully. You don’t have to dip your empanadas in your cheese sauce if you don’t like that as you can also use such a sauce as a topping.
If you want to eat freshly made, warm empanadas, using your cheese sauce as a topping over them will give you a very aesthetic and delicious dish to enjoy with your loved ones.
And if you don’t have any cheese sauce you can sprinkle some of your favorite cheese on top of your empanadas and they will taste just as great!
13. Vegetable salad
Empanadas can be very filling by themselves. However, if you have meat empanadas, you will appreciate a salad of fresh veggies next to them.
Use veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions or peppers, and even carrots. You will love the way such a salad combines with the rich taste of your empanadas.
Add the dressing you like to your veggie salad and combine it with your empanadas for a great dinner that is also easier to digest.
14. Sauteed mushrooms
Sauteed mushrooms can be a good choice to add next to your empanadas as well. They are easy to make and if you get sliced mushrooms you can even save more time.
Sautee your mushrooms in butter or olive oil and add so salt, pepper, and garlic according to your taste. Add some onion too when your mushrooms are halfway done because it will give them a sweet taste that adds to your culinary experience.
Serve your sauteed mushrooms warm next to your empanadas for lunch or dinner. And you will definitely try this combination again.
15. Grilled veggies
If you have some grilled veggies from a previous barbecue meal, you can enjoy them next to your empanadas. However, grilled veggies are easy to make as well since all you have to do is slice them and add them on the grill along with some olive oil and seasonings of your choice.
Grilled veggies taste better warm and freshly cooked. Therefore, if you have the time, it is definitely a great idea to prepare them on the spot.
16. Cucumbers and chickpeas salad
If you are looking for a fresh and fast mix as a side dish to your empanadas, you can go for a cucumbers abs chickpeas salad.
Use canned chickpeas as they are already boiled. Therefore, you can simply add them to your salad with no hassle. You can use any kind of cucumbers and slice them thin enough to look good along with your chickpeas.
You can also add onion and garlic since these ingredients enhance the taste of cucumbers and add more flavor to your mix. Make a dressing of your choice as well and you have a great side dish to try with your warm or cold empanadas!
17. Tzatziki
Tzatziki and empanadas are the perfect combos between Mexican cuisine and Greek cuisine. You can find tzatziki already made in almost any supermarket but it is fairly easy to prepare at home.
All this sauce needs is cucumbers shredded very thin, yogurt, olive oil, and garlic. You can also add a small quantity of lemon juice or lime juice for a fresher taste.
Dip your empanadas in tzatziki sauce as it goes great with both cold and warm empanadas!
18. Asparagus
Sauteed asparagus can be a delicious side dish for empanadas as well as for fish dishes.
To obtain a delicious sauteed asparagus, use butter and pepper as this combination will give your asparagus a much better taste.
You don’t have to cook it too long as you want it to stay firm and even crunchy to enjoy it best with your empanadas.
19. French fries
French fries are the best comfort food in the world and if you combine them with empanadas of choice, you can consider yourself culinary spoiled!
Season your french fries with salt, garlic, or whatever spice you prefer to enrich their taste and help them be a better match for your empanadas.
Fries go great with ketchup or some spicy sauce so don’t hesitate to have a dip next to them for a better experience!
20. Cream cheese
Cream cheese is one of the best spreads for sandwiches but few people know that it tastes just as fine with empanadas.
You can choose to enjoy your empanadas with simple cream cheese or one that is flavored with different herbs or even peppers.
Cream cheese comes in a wide range of flavors and you can spread it on your empanadas or use it as a dipping sauce and you will love the outcome!
Is An Empanada A Meal?
In the traditional recipes, empanadas are stuffed with both veggies and meat which makes them nutritious enough on their own.
But if you stuff your empanadas with either only veggies or only meat, chances are that you will feel the need for a side dish to go with them and you can choose either one from the list above.
Many people prefer a side dish with their empanadas so they can enjoy many flavors and textures in their meal.
What Sauce To Serve With Empanadas?
From salsa to guacamole and any type of cheese sauce, your options are endless when you are looking for the best empanada sauce. You will have to follow your preferences as you can’t go wrong.
The best sauce is one that has a bit of spice as empanadas are a Mexican dish so they taste better with a spicy flavor. But if cheese dip sauce is your favorite, definitely go for it!
What To Serve With Chicken Empanadas?
Chicken empanadas are not just tasty but very filling. So, your side dishes will have to be from a lighter category. You can go for a fresh veggie salad along with your chicken empanadas or simply some salsa or guacamole to enhance their flavor.
Avoid heavy side dishes such as those containing mayonnaise or rice and even potatoes as they will be more difficult to digest along with your chicken empanadas.
Summary
Empanadas are easy to make at home. And if you want to add a side dish, you can choose from the 20 delicious options in this guide.
Mexican cuisine is rich in tasty foods. And if you are curious and want to give it a try, empanadas should be on top of your list!
