Adobe Stock | Photo by Brent Hofacker
Whether you like ‘em with chicken, beef, or corn and goat cheese, every kind of empanada shines at these Hudson Valley eateries.
By Sabrina Sucato and Olivia Watson
Biting into an empanada is bliss. In one mouthful, the harmony of flaky dough and flavorful fillings delivers the best kind of edible comfort. Like mac and cheese or homemade chocolate cake, the handheld pockets soothe the soul and satisfy the stomach. Sized somewhere between Italian calzones and Asian dumplings, the Spanish-style pita pockets come stuffed with everything from beef and chicken to cheese and vegetables.
While empanadas are still something of a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, the mostly savory, sometimes sweet half-moons are fast developing a cult following among locals in the know. Take a scroll through some of our favorite empanada spots in the area, then get ready for a foodie field trip!
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Asador Don Pedro
Blauvelt
Order: Alicia’s Empanadas de Carne
If you’re in the mood for home-cooked Latin dishes, be sure to try Asador Don Pedro. Chef Oscar makes Alicia’s Empanadas de Carne, which includes two beef turnovers. Finish your meal off with a delectable dessert, such as the bread pudding or flan, which is a sweetened egg custard with caramel on top.
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Baja 328
Beacon
Order: Brisket Empanada
Looking for some bold flavors? Try out Baja 328’s NYS Plymouth beef brisket empanada, or the NYS local cheese blend empanada. Pair it with one of the 130 tequila options and enjoy the live entertainment. With this combination, get ready for a flavorful and enjoyable experience.
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Baked by Susan
Croton-on-Hudson
Order: Chicken Pot Pie
As if Baked by Susan’s cupcakes and pies weren’t enough of a temptation, the Croton bakery’s homemade empanadas are all the savory excuse you need to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. Susan’s all-butter crust tastes like a cross between traditional empanada dough, puff pastry, and pie crust in the best way. Fillings, meanwhile, vary across the board from go-to beef and black bean and cheddar to comfort food-friendly chicken pot pie, zucchini and three-cheese cheddar, and oven-roasted potato. Whether you pick up a few for an impromptu dinner or order a box for a family get-together, you’ll be surprised you never sampled Susan’s savory stuff sooner.
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Empanada Master
Monroe
Order: Pernil Empanada
Based in Monroe, the red Empanada Master food truck is worth tracking down at fairs and festivals. Traditionally fried, the sizeable pockets get stuffed with beef, beef and cheese, chicken, plain cheddar cheese, or pernil (pork). If you want a vegetarian option, try out the veggie version made with spinach, corn, roasted red peppers, and onions. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! The tres leche cake is delightful in its own right.
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Maura’s Kitchen
Nyack
Order: Veggie Empanada
One bite of this home-cooked, Peruvian empanada is all it takes to fall in love with the menu at Maura’s. Dunk the handheld into the accompanying spicy aji sauce and prepare to relish the crunchy goodness. Pair your empanada platter with a side of plantains or an avocado salad.
Related: Where to Order the Tastiest Birria Tacos in the Hudson Valley
Rojo Tapas and Wine
Tivoli
Order: Empanadillas de Picadillo
If you love to munch on small bites instead of diving into a serious dinner spread, you’ll be all over the options at Rojo Tapas. Order a nice glass of Spanish red, then pair it with the empanadillas de picadillo, the Cuban-style pockets stuffed with ground beef. Whether you split them with a friend or enjoy them all on your own, you’ll be amazed by the hidden flavor inside the bite-sized treats.
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Sasha’s Famous Empanadas
Westtown
Order: Spinach and Mozzarella
If Sasha’s isn’t on your radar yet, it’s time for a road trip to Westtown to find the “famous” dough pockets that locals can’t stop eating. Begin with the original beef, cheese, or chicken versions if you want to sample the basic flavor or munch on an Oreo delight for a fun, sweet twist. If you’re looking for a vegetarian version, the spinach and mozzarella cheese rendition is a treat for everyone.
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Tito Santana
Beacon
Order: Kale and Sweet Potato Empanada
Tito Santana prides itself on its flavorful and fresh grub, and provides a variety of unique empanada options. Dig into the beef, brisket, or chipotle chicken empanadas. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try out the scrumptious kale and sweet potato empanada. With such a variety of empanada options, everyone should be able to find something to their liking.
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Twisted Soul
Poughkeepsie
Order: Corn and Goat Cheese Empanada
Specializing in baked Argentinian empanadas, Twisted Soul offers options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Keep it classic with the chicken or beef versions or delight your taste buds with the corn and goat cheese or, when available, the sweet potato variety. Take the first few bites unadulterated to sample the pure, slightly spicy notes, then dunk them headfirst into the accompanying chimichurri sauce for a flavor that you won’t be able to forget. P.S. Go for the three for $8 deal if you’re looking for an under-$10 lunch that doesn’t sacrifice on taste.
Related: Stuff These Easy Empanadas With Ground Turkey (or Whatever You Want)
