Empanadas are popular pocket pastries that are a staple in Latin American cuisine. They can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients, but one of the most common versions uses beef and cheese. These aren’t a low-calorie food, though, and should be consumed only occasionally.

An average empanada weighs 89 grams. Each beef empanada has 298 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database. The calorie count can increase significantly depending on the type of cheese used; 15 grams of a reduced-fat, shredded Mexican cheese blend would add around 40 calories.

Each beef and cheese empanada has more than 16 g of fat, meaning more than 147 calories from fat. The nearly 28 g of carbohydrates account for 111 calories, and the 10 g of protein give each empanada 40 calories from protein.

It’s rare that you only buy one empanada at a time. More commonly, you get three to six empanadas to make a plate for a meal. It’s important to remember that the calorie figures noted here are only for one pastry, and you’ll need to calculate the calories for your entire plate.