If you have ever wondered what to serve with empanadas for dinner, this one is for you! These classic hand-held treats come in many different forms like sweet or savory, baked or fried, with roots in Spanish, Filipino and Jamaican and Latin American cooking. No matter which style you’re making, here are ideas so you can create a full spread! Empanadas are perfect for game day snacking, tapas-inspired parties or a fun family dinner.
This post focuses on tapas-style empanadas and the small plates, drinks, and bites that pair naturally with them. Think of it like a delicious sharable spread with a mix of juicy meatballs like Greek Chicken Meatballs, simple sides such as Harissa Cottage Cheese Dip, and refreshing drinks that are meant to be nibbled on while mingling rather than one big serving.
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Dark sweet cherries are met with delicious spices and cooked down to make the perfect cherry filling. These sweet empanadas are balanced out with spicy jalapeno and honey chevre. To make this an easy recipe, we are using store-bought pie crust and using fresh cherries since it is indeed cherry season!
Easy Baked Apple Empanadas are everything you love about apple pie– cinnamon spiced, wrapped in a golden flaky crust and baked to perfection. With tender diced apples cooked in warm spices , these apple pie empanadas are a must try during fall!
Fresh Fig Empanadas with Goat Cheese Walnut Filling
If you love Fig Newtons, then you will definitely enjoy the delicious fig taste in an empanada. Fresh Fig Empanadas with Goat Cheese Walnut Filling are both delicious and an impressive appetizer. The pastry dough is filled with fresh figs that are simmered in spices and combined with the delicious flavor of the tangy goat cheese. The walnut gives the fig empanadas a nice added crunch and texture.
Baked Spinach and Feta Empanadas with Ground Chicken
Little bites of goodness loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean. My Spinach and Feta Empanadas with Ground Chicken are quite tasty AND you just can’t have one! These freshly baked empanadas are a delightful combination of fresh spinach, feta cheese, and ground chicken- all wrapped in a golden brown, flaky pie crust.
A tapas party isn’t complete without something refreshing to wash it all down with. While Sauvignon Blanc or Tempranillo is always a good choice, Sangria is the best! Soak up summer fruits with this crisp Stone Fruit Sangria and Sangria Mocktail.
Sparkling Nectarine Sangria with Peaches and Plums
When the temperatures rise, there’s no better way to cool down than with a refreshing glass of Nectarine Sangria. This fruity and vibrant drink is the perfect accompaniment for warm summer days, offering a delightful blend of stone fruits and a touch of sweetness. Whether you’re hosting a summer send off party or just relaxing on your patio, this Nectarine Sangria with Peaches and Plums will become your go-to drink for all your summer occasions.
Get ready for a delicious and alcohol-free twist on a classic Spanish favorite. It’s time to impress your guests with a refreshing White Sangria Mocktail. This drink is easy to make, delivers a burst of fruity greatness and is inspired by Spanish White Sangria. Invite your girls over and tell them you’re having a Tapas Night!
Ready to elevate your next dinner party? This filling and robust Paella features chicken, chorizo, prawns and clams. Perfect for a celebration or an impressive date night in…
This recipe for Spanish Rice with Tomato Sauce is a must have side dish for your dinner table. Just like in this Garlic Turmeric Rice, the long grain rice is sauteed in olive oil along with onion and garlic for optimal flavor. Then it’s seasoned with simple spices- salt, pepper and cumin. Spanish rice is best as a lunch or dinner side dish or meal prep.
This Spanish Tortilla with Mexican Chorizo is a tasty and satisfying appetizer. A traditional Spanish tortilla uses potatoes, eggs and onion- and in this version, I am using Mexican chorizo to add a spicy twist.
Who can say no to juicy cubes of steak?! My 10 Minute Garlic Steak Bites are perfect for any steak lover looking for a delicious and simple meal. These bite size pieces of steak are perfect as a main course or as an appetizer for special occasions. This garlic butter steak bites recipe has a Mediterranean flare added to it with fresh lemon, mint and parsley.
Homemade meatballs truly are the perfect comfort food. My Italian Bison Meatballs are a lighter and wholesome twist. This ground bison meatball recipe contains simple ingredients and the best part is that it has amazing flavor and heartiness just like classic meatballs.
Whether you’re gluten-sensitive or simply craving a healthier meatball alternative, try my Baked Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs. These tasty turkey meatballs showcase that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor if you want to enjoy gluten free foods. They are made with lean ground turkey, simple spices and they’re great for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Juicy Greek Chicken Meatballs, seared and finished in the oven, then topped with a creamy fresh herb Greek yogurt sauce. Packed with protein and perfect over salad, rice or pita.
How does a sizzling platter of garlicky, seafoody goodness sound? Grab some crusty bread for sopping and whip up this famous Spanish tapa, Gambas al Ajillo in your very own kitchen!
Potato side dishes are classic in Spanish cuisine and pair well with empanadas. Whether you like them crispy and roasted like these Roasted Za’atar Potatoes or seasoned with bold spices, these potato recipes will complete your tapas meal.
Roasted Za’atar Potatoes
Breakfast just got better with my Roasted Za’atar Potatoes. Creamy Yukon Gold potatoes are drizzled in extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with my Homemade Za’atar Spice Mix. These Middle Eastern potatoes are perfect as a delicious side dish alongside a Zucchini Crustless Quiche or enjoy them my favorite way with eggs over easy.
Generously seasoned with a Za’atar spice mix and served with a touch of fresh parsley and feta cheese, these fries are a perfect side dish or a delicious snack you won’t be able to resist.
The delicious smokey, slightly spicy patatas bravas flavour that we all love to eat in every tapas place you have ever tried is here, however instead of frying, I coat the potato chunks in a mix of smoked paprika, mild chilli and olive oil before baking them until crunchy & crispy on the outside & soft & fluffy in the interior.
If you want an elegant side dish or just a heart healthy lunch, this one’s for you! My Goat Cheese and Pomegranate Salad with Quinoa is a vibrant and beautiful dish. It hits all textures of creamy and crunchy plus just a little bit of sweet.
This Caprese Pasta Salad is your go-to summer salad when you need something fast and fresh. Pillowy cheese tortellini gets tossed with sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy walnuts, and creamy mozzarella pearls. It all ties together with a refreshing lemon basil vinaigrette.
Creating a grain free and gluten free tabbouleh is easier than you think. My Cauliflower Tabbouleh is fresh, loaded with flavor and light on the carbs. This Mediterrenean cauliflower salad uses riced raw cauliflower florets and fresh herbs such as mint leaves and parsley. Plus it has classic cucumbers and tomatoes with extra-virgin olive oil and a burst of fresh lemon. You can make this for meal prep or have it as a super easy lunch or enjoy with your favorite protein.
Harissa Cottage Cheese Dip is a bold and high protein dip that only takes a couple of minutes to make. This easy dip is a little bit smoky, tangy and creamy. It pairs perfectly with fresh chopped veggies, grilled pita bread or spread it on avocado toast.
Colombian empanada sauce is tomatoes, onions, and cilantro – what could be simpler than that? Yet my time in Colombia taught me that authentic Colombian pico de gallo recipe dazzles in its simple, sharp flavors and perky attitude.
Slow Cooker Marinated Olives are made with fresh garlic, herbs, lemon peel, and a variety of olives. An easy appetizer that’s perfect for entertaining!
Ours is by no way a complete, or expert approach. But it's how my family does it, and we seem to pull together a pretty good platter on most occasions. These guidelines are meant to match most pockets, for as you can imagine, my mother's budget to buy cheese far surpasses my own.
If you have a sweet tooth and want something easy and simple, you'll fall in love with my delightful and easy 3 Ingredient Dessert Dates. Dessert dates are not just a sweet craving satisfaction; they're a great way to enjoy a healthier treat with the added health benefits of natural sweeteners.
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With so many different side dishes to choose from, just pick your favorite empanadas and you will have the perfect spread!
Golden brown croutons really are one the key ingredients to a good salad! My homemade Za’atar Croutons are easy to make and offer herby goodness to your meals. Za’atar spice is a staple of the Middle East. These crispy bites combine the flavors of thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac for a unique twist on traditional…
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This recipe for Spanish Rice with Tomato Sauce is a must have side dish for your dinner table. Just like in this Garlic Turmeric Rice, the long grain rice is sauteed in olive oil along with onion and garlic for optimal flavor. Then it’s seasoned with simple spices- salt, pepper and cumin. Spanish rice is…
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