Description
Spicy beef empanadas deliver a mouthwatering journey through Latin American culinary traditions. Crispy pastry pockets packed with seasoned ground beef offer a perfect balance of savory flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup green olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup beef broth
Dough and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 package empanada dough discs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pan over medium heat until fully cooked and no pink remains.
- Incorporate chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Blend in olives, raisins, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper, allowing spices to meld for 2 minutes.
- Pour beef broth into the mixture, simmering until liquid reduces and filling thickens, then remove from heat and cool completely.
- Configure oven to 375°F (190°C) for baking or prepare oil for deep-frying.
- Position beef mixture centrally on each empanada dough disc, leaving adequate border for sealing.
- Carefully fold dough over filling, creating a crescent shape, and crimp edges using fork tines to secure.
- For baking: Coat empanadas with beaten egg wash and arrange on lined baking sheet, then bake 25-30 minutes until golden and crisp.
- For frying: Submerge empanadas in hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns deep golden and crispy.
- Transfer to serving plate and accompany with fresh salsa or preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for best flavor and juiciness without excessive greasiness.
- Spice Customization: Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder and paprika according to personal heat tolerance.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free empanada dough or make homemade dough with alternative flour blends like almond or rice flour.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or plant-based meat alternatives for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg