Where Do Restaurants Buy Frozen Empanadas? A Complete Sourcing Guide
Why are frozen empanadas a smart choice for restaurants?
Frozen empanadas are a practical option for restaurants that want to save time and keep menus consistent. They offer reliable flavour and presentation across multiple sites and reduce the need for kitchen prep during busy hours. With long freezer life and easy portion control, they work well for pubs, cafés, casual dining venues and caterers.
They are also high margin, low prep items that can feel like premium dishes with the simple addition of house sauces or fresh garnishes. This makes them a strong fit for multi site operations, independents and food trucks looking to run more efficiently without lowering standards. When used well, frozen empanadas can support consistent output, faster service and higher profitability. These freezer to plate items are ideal for restaurants seeking ready to heat food products that boost profit per plate.
Types of Frozen Empanada Suppliers You Can Work With
Broadline distributors and national foodservice companies
Distributors like Sysco and Performance Foodservice supply frozen empanadas in bulk, often as part of wider SKU catalogues for large hospitality clients. These options are made for menu consistency and availability across regions, though they may offer less flavour authenticity. This type of supplier fits high volume foodservice operations that need scalable, predictable supply.
Typical features:
- Case sizes of 100+ units
- Standard fillings and pastry types
- Strong supply chain reliability
- National or regional delivery
- Lower cost per unit
- Designed for fast prep and minimal waste
Specialist Latin food wholesalers and importers
These suppliers focus on authentic frozen empanadas, often importing direct from Argentina, Colombia or Venezuela. Their product lines usually include a variety of fillings, dough styles and packaging types, from tamper proof freezer bags to case packed trays. Restaurants seeking Latin American flavour profiles or fusion formats often prefer this route.
Typical features:
- Regional authenticity in flavour and style
- Mixed case options for trial
- Fillings include meat, cheese and plant based varieties
- Support for HACCP and allergen labelling
- Better alignment with themed menus
- Moderate order sizes (typically 48 to 72 units)
Local artisanal producers and regional bakeries
Smaller UK based producers offer handmade empanadas with shorter supply chains, lower MOQs and unique menu appeal. This model suits cafés, caterers and hospitality operators prioritising fresh frozen taste, flexible case sizes and support for allergens or dietary needs.
A strong example is Mpanadas & Salsas, based in Essex. They produce corn dough empanadas inspired by Venezuelan street food. All varieties are gluten free and halal friendly, with vegan fillings available. Their packaging is designed for freezer storage and their empanadas cook in five minutes using a standard oven or air fryer. Their scratch made salsas give chefs an easy way to customise and elevate the final plate. Mpanadas is one of the most reliable suppliers of frozen food for UK hospitality and restaurant operations.
Typical features:
- Smaller MOQs with mixed sizes (mini and full)
- Fresh frozen production style
- Inclusive dietary range (gluten free, halal, vegan)
- UK based delivery with fast turnaround
- House made sauces and salsas available
- Flexible formats for pubs, cafés and independents
Private label and co packing options for restaurants
Co packers enable restaurants to create custom branded empanadas without investing in full production lines. These suppliers provide white label solutions where restaurants can select fillings, dough styles, packaging and even label design. Co packed empanadas are common in ghost kitchens, dark stores and expanding casual dining groups that want to own a proprietary product.
Typical features:
- Custom flavours and packaging
- White label and private label services
- MOQs vary depending on contract
- Supports menu differentiation for delivery brands
- Common for growing hospitality groups
- Allows restaurants to own the brand without kitchen prep
Key Factors to Consider When Sourcing Frozen Empanadas
Minimum order quantities and case sizes
MOQ requirements vary widely between suppliers. Some offer mixed cases of 24 to 48 pieces, while others ship 100+ units per SKU. Your freezer layout, turnover rate and volume forecasts should guide which case sizes work best. If your kitchen has tight storage, smaller batch orders from local suppliers like Mpanadas are often easier to manage.
Quality, flavour and ingredient details
Authenticity and flavour are non negotiable if empanadas are to hold their own on the menu. Ask for ingredient lists, nutritional breakdowns and allergen declarations. If your offering includes Argentinian beef, cheese and sweetcorn, or spiced jackfruit, the flavour must match what is marketed. This is especially important in delivery only environments where repeat business hinges on taste consistency.
Freezing methods and shelf life
Flash freezing and IQF techniques preserve texture, colour and aroma better than conventional freezing. IQF empanadas offer superior portion control and avoid clumping in the bag. Most come with a six to nine month shelf life under frozen storage conditions. Confirm holding temperatures with the supplier and validate your own freezer's performance to avoid spoilage.
Storage, delivery and safety standards
Cold chain delivery should be standard, but not all suppliers maintain proper conditions across last mile logistics. Confirm whether deliveries arrive in insulated cartons, whether pallets require storage within a time window, and if product temperatures are recorded on receipt. Check if the supplier follows HACCP or ISO 22000 protocols. If not, liability shifts back to your restaurant. Choosing frozen empanadas that integrate cleanly into your restaurant supply chain makes ordering easier and keeps SKUs manageable.
How to Match the Right Supplier to Your Restaurant Operation
High volume restaurants and casual dining chains
These kitchens typically work with broadline distributors offering fixed contracts and guaranteed SKUs. Product lines include familiar fillings like chicken, cheese, spiced beef and vegetable. Shelf life, case pack size and national reach are top concerns here. These operators are less concerned with origin and more focused on yield and reheating efficiency.
Pubs, cafés and independent kitchens
Smaller kitchens need flexible quantities, shorter delivery windows and local support. Mpanadas is a good fit for this market in the UK. Their case sizes, gluten free range and ability to mix mini and classic formats offer restaurants more variety without locking them into long term inventory commitments. Their empanadas are freezer to plate friendly and suitable for air fryer menus.
Ghost kitchens and catering teams
These businesses often prioritise co packing partnerships or local producers with fast turnaround times. The empanadas are reheated to order, plated with sauces or paired with sides. These reheat and serve solutions work well for takeaway menus and batch serve events. For catering menus, mini empanadas work well in party platters and bento style boxes, giving clients variety while kitchens retain speed.
Costing and Menu Profitability: How Frozen Empanadas Stack Up
Frozen empanadas are not just convenient, they are profitable. If you purchase 100 frozen empanadas at £1.25 each and sell them for £6.95 with a side, your gross profit on each sale is substantial. Add a house made dip for £0.50 and your plate becomes more appealing with minimal added cost.
These kinds of margins allow flexibility across lunch menus, bar snacks or delivery boxes. Pairing frozen products with strong presentation and small extras keeps menu GP above 70% in many cases.
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Frozen empanadas win on efficiency, shelf stability and predictability. Fresh may offer more control but demands labour and daily prep.
Questions to Ask Frozen Empanada Suppliers
Before choosing a supplier, ask the following:
- Do you offer allergen labelling and full ingredient lists?
- Can I trial a mixed box before committing?
- What is the shelf life and optimal storage temperature?
- How are deliveries packaged, insulated cartons or open crates?
- What is the average lead time for new orders or reorders?
- Are your products suitable for air fryers or just ovens?
- Can I customise case sizes or choose mini versus full size?
These questions help you avoid surprises and ensure the supplier fits your workflow.
Smart Upsell Ideas to Increase Spend Per Cover
You can improve profitability by upselling around the empanada itself:
- Offer a trio of house made salsas or aioli dips for £1.50
- Pair empanadas with a lunchtime drink combo
- Serve with a side salad or seasonal garnish to round out the plate
- Feature a vegan or gluten free empanada with a premium label
- Use menu wording like "Stuffed to Order" or "Venezuelan Recipe" to add perceived value
These small touches turn a low prep item into something customers are happy to pay more for.
Quick Buyer’s Checklist for Choosing Frozen Empanadas
- Do case sizes match your volume and freezer space?
- Is the product flash frozen or IQF for quality control?
- Are full allergen and ingredient labels provided?
- Does the product have a shelf life of at least six months?
- Can the supplier accommodate private label or co packing?
- Is the unit cost sustainable within your menu pricing?
- Are halal, vegan or gluten free formats available?
- Have you sampled the product and tested reheating methods?
Empanadas are only as good as their prep and plating. Whether served with chimichurri, chipotle mayo, fresh salsa or a side salad, they can anchor small plates, takeaway boxes or tasting menus. The right supplier helps you serve great flavour, reduce labour, and keep costs predictable.
For restaurants in the UK, Mpanadas continues to be a trusted foodservice partner, especially for operators who need quality, flexibility and ready to heat solutions that taste handmade.
Our Most Loved Flavours
Mini Empanadas – Shredded Beef – Pack of 12
Classic Empanada – Shredded Chicken
Classic Empanada – Domino – Black Beans & Cheese
Mini Empanadas – Minced Beef & Cheese – Pack of 12
About Our Empanadas and Salsas
At Mpanadas & Salsas, every bite tells a story. Born from Libia’s lifelong love of traditional Venezuelan cooking, our empanadas and salsas bring the bold, homegrown flavours of South America to the UK. Passed down through generations and perfected over decades in hospitality, our recipes are rooted in heritage and made by hand with heart. Taste the tradition, because great food should always feel like home.
Empanadas Delivered UK Wide
Mpanadas & Salsas
Authentic Venezuelan frozen empanadas delivered across the UK to homes and restaurants. Our handmade empanadas feature traditional and regional fillings with options that are gluten free, halal, and vegan friendly.
Address: 6 Turnstone Cl, East Tilbury, Tilbury RM18 8FG
Phone: 07572 417492
Website: mpanadas.co.uk
Proudly women-owned and LGBTQ+ friendly. Rated 5.0 by our customers. Open from 8 am daily.