Empanadas and tacos are two of the most popular dishes in Mexican cuisine, but what sets them apart?
In this empanadas vs tacos blog post, we’ll take a look at the differences between these two dishes and see how you can enjoy them both with your friends and family.
So, which one will you choose for your next meal?
Read more: What To Do With Leftover Boiled Eggs?
What are empanadas?
First, an empanada is a type of pastry that is filled with savory or sweet ingredients.
The dough can be made from flour, corn, or potatoes, and the empanada can be fried, baked, or boiled.
Empanadas are popular in many Latin American countries, but they originated in Spain.
What are tacos?
Tacos, on the other hand, are a type of Mexican dish that consists of a corn or flour tortilla filled with meat, cheese, and vegetables.
They can be fried, baked, or grilled, and they are typically served with salsa and sour cream.
Empanadas vs tacos – The main differences
Origins
For the origin of these two dishes, empanadas originated from Spain while tacos are Mexican.
The fact that tacos are Mexican is quite evident given the ingredients used such as corn tortillas which are not really common in Spain.
Tortilla
Empanadas are usually made with wheat flour tortillas while tacos use corn tortillas.
There are also times when potatoes or yuca dough is used for empanadas.
As for tacos, flour tortillas are the most common type.
Shape
Empanadas are usually in the shape of a semicircle while tacos are in the form of a rectangle.
This is because empanadas are meant to be fried and they tend to puff up when cooked while tacos remain flat when grilled or baked.
Filling
The fillings for empanadas and tacos can vary depending on the region or country.
However, some of the most common fillings for empanadas include beef, chicken, ham, cheese, and vegetables.
As for tacos, the most popular fillings are ground beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetables.
Cooking methods
Empanadas can be cooked in different ways such as frying, baking, or boiling.
However, the most common way of cooking them is by frying.
Tacos, on the other hand, are typically grilled, baked, or fried.
The difference in cooking methods makes a big impact in terms of taste and texture.
Taste
The taste of empanadas and tacos also differ.
Empanadas are usually more savory while tacos are a bit more on the sweet side.
This may be because of the tortilla used in tacos.
Corn tortillas have a sweeter taste than wheat tortillas.
Cost
Another difference between these two dishes is the cost.
Empanadas are usually more expensive than tacos because of the ingredients used and the way they are cooked.
Nutritional values
In terms of nutritional values, empanadas and tacos are both quite similar.
They both have carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
However, empanadas have a bit more cholesterol than tacos.
Each serving of empanadas has about 20% of the recommended daily value while tacos have only 10%.
Calories per serving
Each serving of empanadas has about 200 calories while tacos have about 150 calories.
Popularity
Both empanadas and tacos are quite popular in Mexican cuisine.
However, tacos are more popular than empanadas.
This is because they are easier to make and they can be served as a main dish or as a snack.
Empanadas are usually served as appetizers or as a side dish.
Which one tastes better?
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.
Some people may prefer the taste of empanadas while others may prefer tacos.
However, most people would agree that both dishes are quite tasty.
If you like the taste of Mexican food, then you will probably enjoy both empanadas and tacos.
Tips for making empanadas
Here are some of my personal tips for making empanadas:
- Use a good quality wheat flour tortilla to make the dough. This will give your empanadas a better texture.
- Don’t overfill the empanadas or they will be difficult to fold.
- Make sure that the filling is cold before you put it in the dough. This will help keep the empanadas from falling apart.
- Fry the empanadas in hot oil for about 2 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce such as salsa or ranch dressing.
Tips for making tacos
For making tacos, you should keep these tips in mind:
- Use a soft tortilla such as flour or corn tortillas. This will make them easier to fold.
- Don’t overfill the tacos otherwise, they will be difficult to eat.
- Make sure that the filling is cold before you put it in the tortilla. This will help keep them from becoming soggy.
- Grill, bake, or fry the tacos for about 2 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Serve them with your favorite toppings such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Empanadas vs tacos – Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.
Both empanadas and tacos are quite popular and they both have their own unique taste and texture.
If you are a fan of Mexican food, then you will probably enjoy both of these dishes.
However, if you can only choose one, then I would recommend trying tacos first.
They are easier to make and they can be served as a main dish or as a snack.
Empanadas, on the other hand, are usually served as appetizers or as a side dish.
Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy it.