Goya Foods makes frozen and fresh empanadas sold in most US supermarkets

Goya Foods is a food company that produces Latin American products, including frozen empanadas. You can find their empanadas in the frozen food section of most major grocery chains — Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and regional supermarkets typically stock them. Goya empanadas come in several flavors: beef, chicken, cheese, and seasonal varieties. The company also sells the dough separately if you want to make your own.

Goya is a family-owned business founded in 1936 and is one of the largest Hispanic-owned food companies in the United States. They distribute products across the country through standard grocery supply chains, not through specialty stores only. If your local supermarket does not carry Goya empanadas in stock, you can order them online through grocery delivery services like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, or directly from some retailers' websites.

Key Takeaways

  • Goya empanadas are sold frozen in the freezer section of most US supermarkets, not fresh at the deli counter.
  • Common flavors include beef, chicken, and cheese, with seasonal options rotating throughout the year.
  • You can buy Goya empanada dough separately to fill and bake your own if you prefer homemade versions.
  • Online grocery delivery services carry Goya products if your local store does not stock them regularly.

Goya empanada varieties and what is inside them

Goya's standard empanada line includes beef, which is seasoned ground beef in a fried pastry shell. The chicken variety contains shredded chicken with sofrito and spices. Their cheese empanada is typically a blend of cheeses — the exact mix varies by product line. Goya also releases seasonal or regional flavors depending on the time of year and which part of the country you are in.

Most Goya empanadas are sold frozen and come in boxes of four to six pieces. They are designed to be heated in an oven or air fryer, though some can be microwaved. The cooking time is usually 15 to 20 minutes in a standard oven at 400°F. Check the box for exact instructions, as cooking time varies slightly by empanada type and your equipment.

How to find Goya products near you

The easiest way to locate Goya empanadas is to check your supermarket's freezer section — look near other frozen Latin American foods or in the general frozen appetizer area. If you do not see them, ask a store employee; many supermarkets stock Goya products but may keep them in a different location depending on store layout.

If your local store does not carry Goya, you have several options. Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart+ grocery delivery all stock Goya products and can deliver to your home. Some specialty Latin American grocery stores also carry a wider range of Goya products than mainstream supermarkets. You can also check Goya's official website, which has a store locator tool to find retailers in your area that carry their products.

Price range and package sizes

Goya empanadas typically cost between $3 and $6 per box, depending on the store, location, and current sales. A standard box contains four to six empanadas. Prices vary by region — urban areas and stores with higher operating costs may charge more than rural supermarkets. Warehouse clubs like Costco sometimes carry larger multipacks at a lower per-unit cost.

Goya empanada dough, sold separately for homemade versions, is usually cheaper per serving than pre-filled empanadas but requires you to fill and cook them yourself. The dough typically costs $2 to $4 per package and makes enough for 4 to 6 empanadas depending on size.

Goya empanada ingredients and dietary information

Goya empanadas contain wheat flour, vegetable oil, and the filling ingredients listed above. Most varieties contain salt, spices, and sometimes sofrito (a Latin American seasoning base made from peppers, onions, and garlic). Check the nutrition label on the box for exact ingredient lists, as formulations can change and vary by flavor.

If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, read the label carefully. Most Goya empanadas contain wheat and are fried in vegetable oil. Some varieties may contain soy, dairy, or other common allergens depending on the filling. Goya does not currently produce a widely available gluten-free empanada line, though this may change — check their website or call their customer service line for the most current product information.

Storing and cooking Goya empanadas at home

Keep Goya empanadas in your freezer until you are ready to cook them. They do not need to be thawed before cooking. Preheat your oven to 400°F, place the empanadas on a baking sheet, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. If you prefer a crispier exterior, brush them lightly with oil before baking.

An air fryer is another popular cooking method — cook at 380°F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Microwaving is faster but produces a softer crust; follow the box instructions for microwave timing, which is usually 2 to 3 minutes. Once cooked, empanadas are best eaten when ready while still warm, though leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.

Other Goya products you might find near the empanadas

In the same freezer section where you find Goya empanadas, you will likely see other Goya frozen products: croquetas (fried potato or meat cylinders), tostones (fried plantain slices), and frozen rice and beans. Goya also makes shelf-stable products like canned beans, rice, sofrito, and cooking oils that are stocked in the regular grocery aisles.

If you are building a Latin American meal around empanadas, Goya's other frozen sides pair well with them. Many shoppers buy Goya empanadas alongside their frozen plantains or rice to create a complete meal. The brand is designed to be a one-stop source for Latin American cooking ingredients and prepared foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Goya empanadas fried or baked?

Goya empanadas are pre-fried before freezing. When you cook them at home, you are reheating them. You can bake them in an oven or air fryer for a crispier result, or microwave them for speed. The pastry shell is already cooked, so home cooking just warms the filling and crisps the exterior.

Can I cook Goya empanadas from frozen without thawing?

Yes, you do not need to thaw them. Cook them directly from the freezer — just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Frozen empanadas typically take 15 to 20 minutes in a 400°F oven or 10 to 12 minutes in an air fryer at 380°F.

Where is Goya Foods based?

Goya Foods is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey. The company was founded in 1936 and remains family-owned. They operate distribution centers across the United States and have expanded their product line significantly since their founding, though empanadas and other Latin American foods remain core products.

Do Goya empanadas contain any common allergens?

Most Goya empanadas contain wheat and are fried in vegetable oil. Depending on the flavor, they may also contain dairy, soy, or other allergens. Always read the label on the specific variety you are buying, as ingredients vary by filling type and formulations can change.