Print

Crispy Beef Empanadas

crispy beef empanadas - featured image
Print Recipe

These crispy beef empanadas feature a golden, flaky dough filled with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture. Perfect for quick snacks or entertaining, they offer a satisfying crunch and rich flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 g)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (115 g)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ⅔ cup cold water (160 ml)
  • 1 large egg (for brushing, optional)
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces (about 5 minutes). Don’t overwork it.
  2. Add Cold Water: Gradually pour in the cold water, stirring gently with a fork until the dough just starts to come together. Knead lightly on a floured surface until smooth (around 1 minute). Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Cook the Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parsley or cilantro if using. Let cool slightly.
  5. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ⅛-inch (3 mm) thickness. Use a round cutter (5-6 inches / 13-15 cm diameter) to cut out circles. Gather scraps and re-roll as needed.
  6. Fill and Seal: Place about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Moisten edges with water, fold dough over to form a half-moon shape, and press edges together. Crimp with a fork or fingers to seal completely.
  7. Finish and Cook: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with beaten egg for a golden crust (optional). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  8. Serve: Let empanadas cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!

Notes

Keep butter cold when making dough to ensure flakiness. Chill dough if sticky. Moisten edges with water to seal empanadas well. Rotate baking tray halfway through baking for even browning. For extra crispiness, pan-fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes per side. Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Empanadas freeze well; bake from frozen adding 10 minutes to cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: empanadas, beef empanadas, crispy empanadas, homemade empanadas, savory snack, ground beef recipe, easy empanadas

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/crispy-beef-empanadas-recipe-easy-homemade-savory-filling/