Description
Golden, crispy beef empanadas filled with seasoned ground beef, onion, and warm spices, perfect for parties, family dinners, or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (360 g) all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) cold water
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 whole egg, beaten (for brushing if baking)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper if baking.
- In a large bowl, combine all purpose flour, fine salt, and baking powder.
- Cut in cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add cold water and mix until a dough forms. Knead lightly just until smooth, then cover and rest for 15 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook chopped onion until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in paprika, ground cumin, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat and allow filling to cool completely.
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness and cut into 5 inch circles.
- Place a spoonful of cooled beef filling in the center of each circle. Fold into a half moon shape and crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal.
- If baking, brush tops with beaten egg and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. If frying, cook in hot oil until crisp and golden on both sides.
- Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overfill to prevent leaking during cooking.
- Let the filling cool before assembling to avoid soggy dough.
- Freeze assembled uncooked empanadas for up to 2 months.
- Reheat baked empanadas in the oven to restore crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg