Description
Savory ground beef empanadas blend Latin American culinary traditions with simple ingredients. Flaky pastry pockets filled with spiced meat offer a delicious handheld meal you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup green olives, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dough Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water
Assembly Ingredient:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Craft the pastry dough by blending flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Work cold butter into the mixture using fingertips until it resembles rough crumbs. Gradually incorporate cold water until the dough coheres, then shape into a compact ball and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook thoroughly, crumbling the meat while it browns. Eliminate excess grease from the pan.
- Enhance the meat mixture by integrating tomato sauce, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and green olives. Simmer the filling for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Utilize a round cutter to create circular dough sections.
- Position 1-2 tablespoons of prepared beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold pastry into a half-moon shape, sealing edges by pressing and crimping with a fork.
- Arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush surfaces with beaten egg to achieve a golden finish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry turns a rich, golden brown color.
- Serve immediately alongside preferred condiments like salsa or sour cream for a delightful culinary experience.
Notes
- Keep butter extremely cold to achieve a flaky, tender empanada crust that crumbles perfectly when bitten.
- Pat ground beef dry before cooking to prevent excess liquid and ensure a rich, concentrated filling flavor.
- Swap ground beef with shredded chicken, black beans, or vegetarian alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
- Prepare and freeze uncooked empanadas for up to 3 months, allowing quick and convenient meal preparation anytime.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 333 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 311 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 57 mg