Cuban-Inspired Beef Empanadas
What You Should Know
You'd spot these Cuban-inspired beef empanadas in the frozen prepared foods case or hot bar at Whole Foods, pulled out for a quick weeknight dinner, weekend brunch, or party platter. They give a nostalgic, comforting, indulgent vibe — a handheld, savory snack that promises homemade warmth but built for convenience. The flaky texture and stable shelf-life come from industrial dough ingredients (enriched flour, palm shortening, baking powder) and small-ingredient additives (natural flavors, powdered milk), which hint at factory processing rather than a single-ingredient home recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Ingredients
Beef, Empanada, (cooked, grass, fed, ground, beef,, tomato, sauce, [tomato, puree, (water,, tomato, paste),, less, than, 2%, of:, salt,, onion, powder,, garlic, powder,, citric, acid,, natural, flavors],, onions,, potatoes,, red, bell, peppers,, olives, [olives,, water,, red, peppers,, salt,, sunflower, oil,, citric, acid],, raisins,, extra, virgin, olive, oil,, capers, [capers,, water,, vinegar,, salt],, cumin,, garlic,, salt,, cornstarch,, black, pepper,, dough, [enriched, wheat, flour, (niacin,, reduced, iron,, thiamin, mononitrate,, riboflavin,, folic, acid,, malted, barley, flour),, organic, palm, fruit, shortening,, water,, liquid, cage, free, whole, eggs, with, citric, acid,, milk, (vitamin, d3), and/or, whole, powdered, milk,, deactivated, yeast,, aluminum, free, baking, powder, (sodium, acid, pyrophosphate,, sodium, bicarbonate,, corn, starch,, monocalcium, phosphate),, salt,, annatto, seed])..
Flagged Ingredients:
- •sunflower oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
Dietary Labels
Ultra-Processing Assessment
Ultra-Processed
Why this score?
This is a ready-to-heat manufactured pastry combining refined ingredients (enriched flour), industrial fats (palm shortening), additives (baking powder, powdered milk) and 'natural flavors', consistent with NOVA group 4 ultraprocessed foods.
Others also viewed
Lemon Rosemary Chicken Breast
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Cheese & Crackers Snack Break
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Oven Roasted Turkey
Applegate Farms
Paleo Friendly Grilled Salmon
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Rosemary Ham
FRA MANI
Macaroni and Cheese
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Oyster Crackers, 0.5 OZ
WESTMINSTER CRACKER
Virginia Ham
Wellshire Farms
Classic Rotisserie Chicken
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Pulled Rotisserie Chicken
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Chicken Scallopini
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Lemon Rosemary Chicken Breast
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Common Questions about Cuban-Inspired Beef Empanadas
Well, 'healthy' can mean different things depending on your goals! These empanadas have a decent amount of protein and are low in sugar, which is great for a quick snack or meal. However, they do have a moderate amount of saturated fat and sodium, so if you're watching those, it's good to enjoy them in moderation.