Empanada vs Burrito: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

This comparison highlights the nutritional differences between empanadas and burritos.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

The empanada has 335 calories and 11.3 g of protein, while the burrito has 191 calories and 11.5 g of protein. The burrito is lower in calories.

Empanadas and burritos are popular foods with distinct origins and flavors. This comparison examines their nutritional profiles to help you understand their differences.

What Is the Difference Between Empanada and Burrito?

An empanada is a pastry filled with various ingredients, often baked or fried. It is typically made with dough that encases savory or sweet fillings. A burrito is a Mexican dish consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling, which can include beans, rice, meat, and vegetables. It is often served with various toppings.

Empanada vs Burrito: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of empanadas and burritos.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Beef empanada Beef and bean burrito
Calories 335 kcal 191 kcal
Protein 11.3 g 11.5 g
Carbs 31.2 g 19.5 g
Sugar 1.8 g 2.2 g
Fat 18.4 g 7.5 g
Fiber 2 g 3 g
Sodium 440 mg 570 mg

Which Is Better, Empanada or Burrito?

For weight loss: The burrito has 191 calories, making it a lower-calorie option compared to the empanada, which has 335 calories.

For muscle and protein: The burrito contains 11.5 g of protein, slightly higher than the empanada's 11.3 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: The empanada has 31.2 g of carbs and 1.8 g of sugar, while the burrito has 19.5 g of carbs and 2.2 g of sugar.

How to Track Empanada and Burrito Accurately

Portion sizes and macro content can often be misjudged, leading to unexpected calorie intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use only and should not be considered medical advice. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

The burrito has 11.5 g of protein, while the empanada has 11.3 g.

Which has fewer calories?

The burrito has 191 calories, whereas the empanada has 335 calories.

What is the fat content of each?

The empanada contains 18.4 g of fat, while the burrito has 7.5 g of fat.

How much sugar is in each food?

The empanada has 1.8 g of sugar, and the burrito contains 2.2 g of sugar.

What are the carbohydrate values?

The empanada has 31.2 g of carbs, while the burrito has 19.5 g of carbs.

What is the fiber content of each?

The empanada contains 2 g of fiber, and the burrito has 3 g of fiber.

Key Takeaways

  • Empanada: 335 calories, Burrito: 191 calories.
  • Empanada: 11.3 g protein, Burrito: 11.5 g protein.
  • Empanada: 31.2 g carbs, Burrito: 19.5 g carbs.
  • Empanada: 1.8 g sugar, Burrito: 2.2 g sugar.
  • Empanada: 18.4 g fat, Burrito: 7.5 g fat.
  • Empanada: 2 g fiber, Burrito: 3 g fiber.

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