Beef Empanadas
Beef Empanadas are a savory Latin American classic made with seasoned ground beef, green olives, and aromatic spices, all wrapped in a flaky, golden crust. Perfect for celebrations or a delicious snack, these empanadas are baked to perfection and easy to customize with your favorite fillings. Serve them with a fresh salad, rice, and beans, or your favorite dipping sauce for a flavorful meal that everyone will enjoy!
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Pastry cutter or fork (for mixing dough)
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 Round cutter or small bowl (for cutting dough circles)
- 1 Large skillet (for cooking the beef filling)
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring the filling)
- 1 Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (for lining the baking sheet)
- 1 Pastry brush (for applying egg wash)
- 1 Fork (for sealing the edges of the empanadas)
- 1 Knife (for chopping ingredients)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 Cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ Cup Unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
- 1 Large egg
- ½ Cup Cold water
- 1 tbsp White vinegar
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 Small onion, finely diced
- 1 Clove, minced
- ½ Cup Green olives, chopped
- ½ Cup Tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Hard-boiled egg, chopped (optional)
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 Beaten with 1 tbsp water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter (or your fingers) to blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cold water, and vinegar.
- Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it lightly until smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet, cooking until softened.
- Stir in the green olives, tomato sauce, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes until the flavors meld together.
- Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool. Stir in the chopped hard-boiled egg if using.
Step 3: Assemble the Empanadas
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Use a round cutter or a bowl to cut out 4- to 5-inch circles of dough.
- Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of each dough circle.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Transfer the empanadas to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake the Empanadas
- Brush the empanadas with the beaten egg wash to give them a golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and crispy.
- Let them cool slightly before serving.