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Tag: empanada recipe

  • Beef Empanadas: Pocket-Sized Happiness

    Beef Empanadas: Pocket-Sized Happiness

    Empanadas are what happens when a dumpling and a pie fall in love.

    Flaky, buttery dough. Savory ground beef, onions, olives, and raisins. Baked until golden. 45 minutes. Made for dipping. Made for sharing. (Or not. No judgment.)

    Ingredients

    Makes 12-15 empanadas.

    For the Dough:

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
    • 1 large egg
    • ¼ cup cold water
    • 1 tbsp white vinegar

    For the Filling:

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 small onion, finely diced
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp oregano
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • ¼ cup green olives, chopped
    • 2 tbsp raisins (optional)
    • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)

    For Egg Wash:

    • 1 egg, beaten

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Make the Dough

    1. Whisk flour and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture looks like coarse meal.
    2. Whisk egg, water, and vinegar. Add to flour mixture. Mix until dough forms.
    3. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

    Step 2: Make the Filling

    1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain fat.
    2. Add onion and garlic. Cook 3 minutes until soft.
    3. Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
    4. Add olives and raisins (if using). Remove from heat. Stir in chopped eggs if desired. Let cool.

    Step 3: Preheat and Roll

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
    2. Roll dough to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into 4-5 inch circles.

    Step 4: Fill and Seal

    1. Place 1 tbsp filling in center of each circle.
    2. Fold dough over. Seal edges with a fork.
    3. Brush with beaten egg.

    Step 5: Bake

    1. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
    2. Cool 5 minutes. Serve warm with chimichurri or hot sauce.

    Summary

    Prep Time: 20 minutes | Chill Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 20-25 minutes | Total Time: ~1.5 hours

    Yield: 12-15 empanadas

    Difficulty: Medium

    Storage Notes

    Fridge:

    Store baked empanadas in an airtight container for 4 days.

    Reheat:

    Oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.

    Freezer Friendly:

    Freeze unbaked empanadas for 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

    Pro Tip:

    Don’t overfill. Less filling = easier sealing = fewer blowouts.