Description
Learn how to make delicious Empanadas from scratch with this easy recipe. These savory pastries are filled with a flavorful beef mixture and can be baked or fried to crispy perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped green olives (optional)
- 1 hard-boiled egg (chopped, optional)
To Finish:
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- Oil for frying or baking
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg, water, and vinegar, then knead the dough until smooth. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Make the Filling: Cook ground beef in olive oil until browned. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, spices, and tomato sauce. Simmer until thickened. Stir in olives and egg. Cool.
- Assemble Empanadas: Roll out dough, cut circles, add filling, fold, and crimp edges. Brush with egg wash if baking.
- Bake or Fry: Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes or fry until golden. Serve warm.
Notes
- Empanadas can be filled with chicken, cheese, or veggies.
- Dough and filling can be made a day ahead.
- Freeze unbaked empanadas and bake directly from frozen with 5 extra minutes.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer or Main Course
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
