If you regularly organise events, you’ll know that one of the trickiest questions to answer is “how much food should I order?”. Too little is a disaster; too much blows the budget and creates waste.
Galician empanada, thanks to its format and versatility, is an increasingly popular choice for caterings, cocktail receptions and corporate events. But precisely because it’s different from standard canapés, calculating quantities can be confusing.
In this guide, we share the ratios we use with our trade clients, adjusted according to the type of event, duration and guest profile.
The starting point: portion or slice?
Before doing the maths, it’s worth clarifying how empanada is served at events:
Full portion: A generous serving, similar to what you’d get in a restaurant as a main course or substantial starter. Approximately 150–200g per person.
Cocktail portion: A smaller cut, designed to be eaten standing up without cutlery. Between 60–80g per person. Several portions per full serving.
Mini or bite-size format: Very small portions (30–40g) for canapé-style nibbles. Ideal for longer receptions with a variety of options.
The format you choose will determine how much empanada you need and how you present it.
Ratios by event type
Standing cocktail reception (no meal to follow)
A cocktail where the food served IS the meal. Guests expect to leave satisfied.
| Duration | Empanada portions per person | Approximate equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 hours | 2-3 portions | 120-180 g (4-6 oz) |
| 2-3 hours | 3-4 portions | 180-240 g (6-8.5 oz) |
| +3 hours | 4-5 portions | 240-300 g (8.5-10.5 oz) |
Note: These ratios assume empanada is part of a varied selection (canapés, cured meats, cheeses, etc.). If empanada is the main offering, increase by 20–30%.
Welcome cocktail (with meal to follow)
An aperitif before sitting down to a meal or buffet. The aim is to whet the appetite, not fill people up.
| Duration | Empanada portions per person | Approximate equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 30-45 min | 1 portion | 60-80 g (2-3 oz) |
| 45-90 min | 1-2 portions | 80-120 g (3-4 oz) |
Tip: For this format, offer a variety of flavours in small portions. Two different bites are better than one large one.
Buffet
Empanada is part of a table with multiple options. Guests help themselves.
| Rol of empanada | Amount per person |
|---|---|
| One option among many | 80-100 g (3-3.5 oz) |
| Featured item on the buffet | 120-150 g (4-5 oz) |
| Star of the show (Galician-themed buffet) | 150-200 g (5-7 oz) |
Important: For a buffet, always calculate an extra 15–20%. People go back for what they like, and empanada is usually one of the first things to run out.
Sit-down lunch or dinner
Empanada is plated as a starter or as part of a tasting menu.
| Use in the menu | Amount per person |
|---|---|
| Sole starter | 100-120 g (3.5-4 oz) |
| Part of several starters | 60-80 g (2-3 oz) |
| Main course (rare, but possible) | 180-220 g |
Presentation: For a sit-down meal, empanada can be plated with a garnish (Padrón peppers, salad, a dusting of paprika) to elevate the experience.
Corporate event / working lunch
Working breakfasts, coffee breaks, lunch meetings. Practical format, no table service.
| Occasion | Amount per person |
|---|---|
| Coffee break (mid morning) | 60-80 g (1 small portion) |
| working lunch | 150-180 g (5-6 oz) |
| End-of-day nibbles | 100-120 g (3.5-4 oz) |
Operational advantage: Empanada doesn’t require cutlery or a deep plate. It’s eaten by hand and doesn’t make a mess. Ideal for meetings where people continue working while they eat.
Weddings and celebrations
Weddings have their own rules. Empanada typically appears at three points:
| Ocassion | Amount per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome cocktail | 60-80 g (2-3 oz) | As part of the aperitif selection |
| Late-night snack (midnight) | 100-120 g (3.5-4 oz) | Prime time for empanada |
| Next-day brunch | 80-100 g (3-3.5 oz) | Very welcome after the party |
Trend: A late-night snack featuring Galician empanada is increasingly popular at weddings in northern Spain. It’s comforting, easy to serve and much appreciated at 2am.
Adjustments by guest profiles
The ratios above are averages. Adjust according to your audience:
| Factor | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Mostly adult men | +15-20% |
| Mostly women | -10% |
| Older guests | -10-15% |
| Children present | -20% (they eat less but try everything) |
| Event with plenty of alcohol | +15-20% (alcohol increases appetite) |
| Sporting or outdoor event | +20-25% |
| Formal event with lots of choice | -10% (people eat less out of etiquette) |
Variety of flavours: how many types to offer
It’s not just about the total quantity, but the variety. Our recommendation by number of guests:
| Guests | Empanada varieties |
|---|---|
| Up po 30 | 2-3 flavours |
| 30-80 | 3-4 flavours |
| 80-150 | 4-5 flavours |
| +150 | 5-6 flavours |
Balanced combination: Always include at least one meat option (zorza or pork), one fish option (tuna or cod) and one seafood option if the budget allows. If there are vegetarian guests, add the vegetable empanada.
Practical example: cocktail for 100 people
Event: Product launch, 2-hour cocktail with no meal to follow.
Base calculation:
- 100 people × 3 portions = 300 portions
- 300 portions × 70g (2.5 oz) = 21kg (46 lb) of empanada
Adjustment for profile: Mixed audience, corporate event with open bar → +15%
- 21kg × 1.15 = 24.15kg → Round up to 25kg (55 lb)
Distribution by flavour (4 varieties):
- Tuna empanada: 7kg / 15.5 lb (28%)
- Zorza empanada: 6kg / 13 lb (24%)
- Cod empanada: 6kg / 13 lb (24%)
- Scallop empanada: 6kg / 13 lb (24%)
Result: A balanced variety of sea and land, with scallop as the premium option to elevate the event.
Practical example: wedding with 150 guests
Occasions with empanada: Welcome cocktail + late-night snack
Welcome cocktail (1 hour, before the banquet):
- 150 people × 1 portion × 70g (2.5 oz) = 10.5kg → 11kg (24 lb)
- 3 varieties: tuna, meet, vegetable
Late-night snack (midnight):
- 150 people × 1.5 portions × 70g (2.5 oz) = 15.75kg
- Adjustment +10% (hungry guests after dancing) → 17kg (37.5 lb)
- 3 varieties: zorza, cod with raisins, cockles
Total for the wedding: 28kg (62 lb) of empanada distributed across 5 different flavours between the two services.
Tips to avoid waste
Order in stages if possible. For longer events, it’s better to receive two deliveries than to have all the empanada from the start. That way, the second batch comes out of the oven closer to serving time.
Cut as you go. Keep whole empanadas in reserve and cut according to the pace of the event. It’s easier to cut more than to “uncut”.
Have a plan B for leftovers. Empanada keeps well refrigerated for 2–3 days. You can offer it to the catering team, the organisers or donate it if the event allows.
Communicate with the client. If you work in catering, always confirm final guest numbers 48–72 hours beforehand. A 10% variation is normal; more than that requires adjusting the order.
Quick reference table: quantities at a glance
| Event type | Grams per person | For 50 people | For 100 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short cocktail (1h) | 80-100 g | 4-5 kg | 8-10 kg |
| Long cocktail (2–3h) | 150-180 g | 7,5-9 kg | 15-18 kg |
| Buffet (one option) | 80-100 g | 4-5 kg | 8-10 kg |
| Buffet (star of the show) | 150-200 g | 7,5-10 kg | 15-20 kg |
| Sit-down starter | 100-120 g | 5-6 kg | 10-12 kg |
| Wedding late-night snack | 100-120 g | 5-6 kg | 10-12 kg |
| Coffee break | 60-80 g | 3-4 kg | 6-8 kg |
We work with you to get it right
At Costumes, we’ve been supplying artisan empanada to caterers, hotels and event organisers for years. We know that every event is different and that generic quantities don’t always work.
If you have an event coming up and need help calculating quantities, choosing varieties or planning logistics, get in touch. We’re happy to advise with no obligation.
