Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-empanada-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is an Empanada Vegetarian? (It Depends on the Filling & Dough)

An empanada is a filled pastry, and the answer depends on two things: what is inside and what the
dough is made of. Here is how to tell a vegetarian empanada from a meat one, and a vegan one from
both.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Empanadas vary: the filling can be beef, chicken, cheese or vegetables.
> - The dough may be made with lard or butter, which makes it non-vegan.
> - Cheese and vegetable empanadas are vegetarian; meat fillings are not.
> - A vegan empanada uses oil-based dough and a plant filling.

**TL;DR: Empanadas vary: the filling can be beef, chicken, cheese or vegetables, and the dough
may be made with lard or butter.** A cheese or vegetable empanada is vegetarian; a vegan one uses
oil-based dough and plant fillings.

## The two things that decide it

1. **The filling**: classic fillings are **beef, chicken or ham-and-cheese** (not vegetarian);
   cheese, spinach, corn or mushroom fillings are vegetarian.
2. **The dough**: traditionally made with **lard or butter** (not vegan), though many bakeries
   use vegetable oil or margarine.

So even a "vegetable" empanada can be non-vegan because of the dough.

## How to find a vegan empanada

- Look for **"vegan" or "vegetarian"** labeling (check the dough for lard/butter).
- Ask the vendor: **"¿la masa lleva manteca o mantequilla?"** (does the dough contain lard or butter?).
- Fillings like spinach, corn (humita), mushroom or lentil are the plant-based options.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Cheese or vegetable filling: skip beef/chicken.
- **Vegan?** Oil-based dough + plant filling.

See our [Empanada dish guide](/food/colombia/empanada/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*