Empanadas argentinas, or Argentinian empanadas, make up a group of traditional Argentinian pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, from meat to cheese and vegetables. Although they are mostly enjoyed in their savory form, there are sweet dessert varieties filled with ingredients such as dulce de leche and quince.
The dough, typically made with wheat flour, is rolled thin and folded over a filling, and the resulting parcel is then baked or fried to golden perfection. Traditional empanadas often feature ingredients such as ground beef, onions, and spices, giving them a robust and savory flavor.
VARIATIONS OF Empanadas Argentinas
MOST ICONIC Empanadas Argentinas
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This is an extreme version of a steak sandwich – filled with thinly sliced lomo steak, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, mayonnaise, chimichurri sauce, ham, cheese, and a fried egg, sandwich de lomo or lomito is a behemoth of a sandwich that is sure to satiate even the hungriest consumers.
However, this delicious sandwich is open to innovation – some might substitute the steak with pork, or put aubergine slices into it, along with any other ingredient that comes to mind. Popular both in Argentina and Uruguay, it can easily be found at numerous street carts dispersed throughout the metropolitan areas of both countries.
MOST ICONIC Sandwich de lomo
View moreThese empanadas are a specialty of the region of Tucumán, and they are quite different than numerous empanadas found in Buenos Aires. Tucumanas are typically handmade according to old, traditional recipes, and are characterized by a crispy dough and ideal proportions of dough and fillings.
The dough is made with wheat flour and beef fat, and it is then usually filled with beef, chicken, or tripe, along with other ingredients such as onions, hard-boiled eggs, paprika, and cumin. Authentic Tucumanas should be baked in a clay oven, and it is best to enjoy them with a glass of local wine on the side.
MOST ICONIC Empanadas Tucumanas
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Choripán is the ultimate in Argentine street food, a sandwich consisting of a chorizo sausage and a variety of condiments in a crusty bun. It is usually consumed on the go, since it is mostly sold at street stands throughout Latin America.
The name choripán is derived from two words: chorizo, referring to the sausage, and pan, meaning bread.
MOST ICONIC Choripán
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Bondipan (or bondiola) is a classic sandwich originating from Argentine. Similar to the more famous choripan, this sandwich is made with bondiola de cerdo, pork shoulder that's roasted or grilled to perfection and served in crusty french bread.
The succulent and salty pork is drizzled with lemon juice and often topped with chimichurri. If desired, a bit of chili sauce can also be added to the sandwich. The sandwich is typically sold as street food, and people usually enjoy it while standing by the bar.
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Humitas is a dish popular throughout South America, especially in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. The dish consists of corn cakes that are cooked in corn husks. In Argentina, humitas are usually made with corn, onions, and spices, and depending on the region, milk, red peppers, cheese, and spring onions might also be added to the combination, which is wrapped in corn husks and boiled.
In Ecuador, humitas are steamed and are usually made with ground corn, eggs, onions, and variable spices. The Chilean version adds basil and butter to corn and onions, and their humitas are boiled or baked. In Peru and Bolivia, people also prepare sweet humitas with added cinnamon and raisins.
MOST ICONIC Humita
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Tortilla santiagueña is a type of flatbread consisting of wheat flour, melted cow fat, and coarse salt. The dough is typically baked on a parrilla until nicely brown. A classic Argentine treat, these tortillas are typical for the north of the country, but are especially popular in Santiago del Estero, where they are sold as street food on almost every corner.
They are consumed hot, either on their own or with a ham and cheese filling, and usually accompanied by a cup of mate.
Panchuker is a popular snack originating from Argentina. It can be found at numerous street food stalls in the country and consists of a sausage that's covered with a waffle-like coating. The snack is served on a stick for easier consumption, just like a corn dog.
There are many versions of panchuker and some of them contain cheese, while others are accompanied by sauces. Panchuker can also be found in Uruguay and other South American countries, but it's the most popular in the Argentine province of Tucumán.
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