An Argentinian dinner party is empanadas, chimichurri, Malbec, a simple salad, and Franui for dessert. Plan 3 to 4 empanadas per adult, one bottle of wine per 2 to 3 guests, and 90 minutes of eating time. Bake the empanadas 15 minutes before guests arrive.
This is the format Pedro grew up with in Argentina and the one we recommend to Argentum customers hosting at home in Sydney. Easy, high-impact, low-stress.
The Argentinian dinner party format
Argentinian home dinners are informal, generous, and long. The food arrives in waves rather than plated courses. Empanadas as a shared main. Chimichurri, salads, and wine on the table the whole time. Conversation runs late. Dessert appears whenever there's a natural break.
You do not need a dining room. Argentina hosts on balconies, in kitchens, around low coffee tables. If you can seat everyone within arm's reach of a plate, you're set.
Empanada quantities: the math
Plan for 3 to 4 empanadas per adult if empanadas are the main. Reduce to 2 to 3 per adult if you're serving a full asado alongside. Add 1 extra per guest if any are teenagers or heavy eaters.
Quick sizing table
- 4 guests: 12 to 16 empanadas (three 4-packs or one 12-pack)
- 6 guests: 20 empanadas (Chef's Box, $85)
- 8 guests: 24 to 32 empanadas (two 12-packs, or a Chef's Box plus a 12-pack)
- 10 guests: 30 empanadas (Weekly Family Box, $132)
- 15 guests: 40 to 60 empanadas (Family Box + 12-pack, or a Party Box)
- 20 guests: 60 empanadas (Party Box, $319 baked / $279 frozen)
Flavour mix
The five Argentum flavours cover most dietary needs when mixed together. Recommended split for a group of 10:
- 10 Carnivore (beef, the crowd favourite)
- 6 Athlete (chicken, appeals to lighter eaters)
- 6 Classic (three-cheese, vegetarian)
- 4 Patagonia (vegan, covers the vegan guest)
- 4 Habibi Yalla (open-top beef, adds visual variety)
The Chef's Box already comes as a curated mix if you want to skip the maths.
Drinks planning
Wine
- 1 bottle per 2 to 3 guests, planning conservatively
- 60 percent Malbec, 40 percent Torrontés or another white
- Serve Malbec at 16 to 18°C, Torrontés at 8 to 10°C
Beer
Have a six-pack of Argentinian-style lager or Australian pilsner as a backup. Not everyone drinks wine.
Non-alcoholic
Sparkling water with lemon slices. Mate for the after-dinner. Espresso to close.
Sides and sauces
Keep it simple. Empanadas are the star.
- Chimichurri (essential). Make it 2 hours before guests arrive, or use Pedro's chimichurri jar.
- Green salad with lemon dressing. Rocket, watercress, cos.
- Argentinian potato salad or roasted vegetables.
- A wedge of good cheese and olives for arrivals.
Do not serve rice, pasta, or heavy starches. Empanadas are already carb-rich.
Dessert
Franui (chocolate-covered raspberries) is the modern classic. Straight from the freezer. Small, sharp, no plating required. Alfajores or dulce de leche on toast are the traditional choices. Argentum sells Franui alongside the empanadas for exactly this reason.
Timing template (8 guests, 6:30pm start)
- 2pm: Make chimichurri, chill wine (whites and beer)
- 5pm: Prep salad ingredients, boil potatoes for salad
- 6pm: Preheat oven, set the table
- 6:15pm: Take empanadas from freezer, put on lined trays
- 6:20pm: Bake first tray
- 6:30pm: Guests arrive. Cheese, olives, first drinks
- 6:45pm: First empanadas on the table with chimichurri. Salads out.
- 7:30pm: Second bake round (if needed for larger groups)
- 8:30pm: Dessert (Franui) and coffee
- 10pm+: Second bottle of Malbec, longer conversations
Baking logistics for parties
Two rules that save every host:
- Bake in rounds. Empanadas are best within 45 minutes of the oven. If you're serving 40, bake 20 at a time, 40 minutes apart.
- Use two ovens if possible. Doubles your capacity and lets you serve waves.
Full baking method: how to bake frozen empanadas perfectly. 190°C fan-forced, 18 to 22 minutes, straight from frozen.
Setup and decor (optional)
- Wooden boards for the empanadas, small ceramic bowls for chimichurri.
- Candles low on the table. Argentinian dinner lighting is warm and dim, not overhead.
- A playlist of Argentinian music: tango for atmosphere, or Andrés Calamaro and Charly García for a livelier feel.
- Napkins on the table. Empanadas are handheld, they leak a little.
Common hosting mistakes
- Baking everything at once. Empanadas go from perfect to lukewarm in 45 minutes. Bake in rounds.
- Under-ordering. Argentinians eat more than most. Always err on the side of one extra 4-pack.
- Forgetting chimichurri. The single most-missed item. Make in advance or order the jar.
- Serving too many sides. Empanadas are the main. Two sides maximum.
- Chilled Malbec. Red wine at fridge temperature loses all character. 30 minutes on the bench before serving.
- Not enough napkins. Handheld food, warm filling, casual eating. Plenty of napkins.
Where Argentum fits
Argentum's boxes are built for these gatherings.
- Chef's Box: 20 empanadas, $85. Perfect for 5 to 6 guests.
- Weekly Family Box: 30 empanadas, $132. Perfect for 8 to 10 guests.
- Party Box: 60 empanadas, $319 baked / $279 frozen. Perfect for 15 to 20 guests.
Delivered frozen across Sydney from our Bondi Beach kitchen. For larger events (30 guests plus), see catering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many empanadas per person for a dinner party?
Plan 3 to 4 empanadas per adult if empanadas are the main course. Reduce to 2 to 3 per adult if you're serving a full asado alongside. Add 1 extra per guest for teenagers or heavy eaters.
What wine goes with an Argentinian dinner party?
Malbec is the traditional choice, especially with beef empanadas like Carnivore. Torrontés (Argentinian white) works better with chicken and vegan options. Plan 1 bottle per 2 to 3 guests, roughly 60 percent red 40 percent white.
Can you host a dinner party in a small apartment?
Yes. Argentina hosts in kitchens and balconies routinely. Empanadas are handheld, so you don't need a formal dining table. Everyone within arm's reach of a plate is enough.
What sides go with empanadas at a dinner party?
Keep it simple: chimichurri (essential), green salad with lemon, and Argentinian potato salad or roasted vegetables. Two sides maximum. Empanadas are already rich.
When do you bake the empanadas for a dinner party?
15 minutes before guests arrive. Empanadas are at their best within 45 minutes of the oven. For groups of 20 or more, bake in rounds, 40 minutes apart, rather than all at once.
What dessert works for an Argentinian dinner party?
Franui (chocolate-covered raspberries from Patagonia, served frozen) is the modern classic. Alfajores or dulce de leche on toast are the traditional alternatives. Small, sweet, no plating required.
How much wine do I need for a dinner party?
One bottle per 2 to 3 guests, conservatively. For 10 guests plan 4 to 5 bottles. Split between Malbec and Torrontés at roughly 60/40.
Final word
Empanadas, chimichurri, Malbec, salad, Franui. Bake in rounds, wine on the table, low lights, no rush. That's the entire framework.
The Weekly Family Box is the go-to for 8 to 10 guests. Delivered frozen across Sydney. Code FIRST5 for $5 off orders over $85.
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