Authentic Homemade Beef Empanadas Recipe: Flaky Crust, Savory Filling & Perfect Comfort Food
Embark on a culinary journey with our incredible Homemade Beef Empanadas! Featuring a perfectly flaky, golden crust and a rich, savory beef filling, these delightful pockets of flavor are the epitome of comfort food. Prepare to fall in love with every bite!
(I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #LaurasLean campaign, sponsored by Laura’s Lean. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.)
Mastering the Art of Homemade Beef Empanadas
Get ready to absolutely LOVE this homemade beef empanada recipe! Each empanada is a delightful package of savory goodness, wrapped in a tender, flaky pastry crust that simply melts in your mouth. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, bringing warmth and satisfaction with every bite.
Many people are familiar with the concept of filled pastries, but have you ever crafted empanadas from scratch? Some might confuse them with enchiladas, and while both feature a delicious filling encased in a wrap, their differences are quite distinct. Empanadas utilize a simple, often rich pastry dough, which is then folded and crimped to seal the filling before being baked or fried. Enchiladas, on the other hand, typically wrap ingredients in corn or flour tortillas, often bathed in a savory sauce and baked until bubbly. Both are incredible in their own right, but the empanada offers a unique, portable, and utterly satisfying texture profile.
However, if your craving leans more towards the cheesy, saucy goodness of enchiladas, don’t miss out on my Enchilada Casserole recipe! It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser and incredibly easy to make.
For those mindful of their health and seeking premium ingredients, I wholeheartedly recommend using Laura’s Lean Ground Beef for your empanada filling. This isn’t just any ground beef; it adheres to stringent standards, ensuring it’s low in fat while still packed with flavor. Beyond its impressive nutritional profile, Laura’s Lean sources its beef from farmers who are committed to raising cattle without ever using added hormones or antibiotics. Their cattle are also always vegetarian-fed, ensuring a high-quality product that you can feel good about serving to your family. Choosing such a high-caliber ingredient truly elevates the taste and health benefits of your homemade empanadas.
Effortless Homemade Beef Empanadas: A Simple Guide
Making beef empanadas is a wonderfully rewarding experience, much simpler than you might imagine. At its heart, it involves encasing a hearty, flavorful beef filling within a delicate, yet robust, dough. The beauty of these savory pockets lies in their versatility. The beef filling can be as elaborate or as simple as you desire, incorporating everything from finely diced vegetables like peas and carrots, to a blend of cheeses, or even a kick of spice from chili peppers. You have complete control to adjust the heat level to suit your preference, making them mild enough for the whole family or fiery for those who enjoy a zesty bite.
One of the many advantages of homemade empanadas is their incredible convenience once prepared. They store beautifully, making them an ideal meal-prep option or a quick snack to grab on the go. Enjoy them warm straight from the oven, or savor them cold – they are equally delicious! In many cultures, empanadas were, in essence, the original fast food, offering a satisfying and portable meal long before modern drive-thrus came into existence. Their timeless appeal is a testament to their perfect blend of flavor, texture, and convenience.
Crafting Your Perfect Empanada Dough
The foundation of an exquisite empanada is its crust, and you have two primary paths to take: making your own dough or opting for the convenience of pre-made. For those seeking ease, pre-made empanada dough is readily available in the freezer section of most grocery stores, typically alongside other pastry doughs or frozen pie crusts. This can be a fantastic shortcut for busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor.
However, I encourage you to consider making the dough from scratch. It’s a surprisingly straightforward process that requires minimal effort and yields superior results. The act of mixing ingredients and gently kneading the dough can be quite therapeutic, almost reminiscent of the simple joys of playing with Play-Doh! The fresh taste and flaky texture of homemade dough are truly unmatched, making the extra step well worth it.
When preparing your dough, a traditional approach often involves using pan juices from your cooked beef, which infuses the crust with an incredible depth of flavor. This method adds a rich, savory dimension that complements the filling perfectly. Alternatively, if you’re aiming for a slightly healthier version of your homemade beef empanadas, you can drain the beef juices and substitute them with skim milk. This option helps to reduce fat content without compromising the texture of the dough, offering a lighter alternative while maintaining that desirable flakiness. Experiment with both to discover your preferred taste and texture!
The Heart of the Empanada: A Versatile Ground Beef Filling
The beauty of empanadas truly shines when it comes to the filling. This is where your culinary creativity can run wild! The base of savory ground beef is just the beginning. Imagine adding a medley of vibrant vegetables like sweet peas, finely chopped carrots, or even corn for a touch of sweetness and texture. For those who love a little heat, a dash of cayenne pepper, a pinch of chili flakes, or even some finely minced jalapeños can elevate the spice level. If you prefer a milder profile, simply omit the spicier ingredients.
But why stop at beef? While these are “beef” empanadas, the filling concept is incredibly adaptable. If chicken or pork is more to your liking, feel free to substitute! Ground chicken or shredded pork can create equally delicious variations. For a vegetarian twist, consider a filling of black beans, corn, roasted peppers, and cheese. The possibilities are truly endless.
Historically, and to this day, homemade empanadas often serve a wonderful purpose: giving leftovers a delicious second life. They are a brilliant way to transform yesterday’s meal into an exciting new dish, reducing food waste and sparking joy at the dinner table. Imagine a flavorful beef stew or a roast that gets reborn into these delightful pockets – no one will ever guess they were once leftovers! In fact, you might even find your family “accidentally” leaving food on their plates just to encourage another batch of these irresistible empanadas!
To further enhance the health aspect and ensure maximum flavor, using a premium ingredient like Laura’s Lean Ground Beef is a game-changer. Its low-fat and high-protein content are fantastic benefits, but it’s the superior quality of the beef that truly amplifies the overall taste of your empanadas. Starting with excellent ingredients lays the easiest path to achieving consistently delicious and satisfying results every time you cook. The robust, clean flavor of quality beef shines through, making your homemade empanadas truly unforgettable.
What to Serve with Homemade Beef Empanadas
While homemade beef empanadas are satisfying enough to be a standalone meal, pairing them with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience to a whole new level. Consider these delightful accompaniments:
- Pork Chili Verde – If you’re hosting a gathering or simply want a more substantial meal, serve the empanadas as a flavorful appetizer, then follow up with a hearty bowl of this rich pork chili verde as your main course. The bold flavors complement each other beautifully.
- Easy Vegetable Soup – Nothing says comfort quite like a warm bowl of soup on a chilly or rainy day. Pairing your savory homemade beef empanadas with a light, easy vegetable soup creates an ultimate comfort meal that’s both nourishing and incredibly satisfying.
- Cajun Red Beans and Rice – For a nod to traditional Hispanic meals, where beans and rice are often served as a staple side, try this recipe with a zesty Cajun twist. The creamy texture of the beans and the aromatic rice provide a fantastic contrast to the flaky empanadas, adding a delicious depth of flavor to your spread.
- Fresh Green Salad – A simple, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich empanadas, adding freshness and a healthy crunch.
- Homemade Salsa or Chimichurri – Offer a vibrant homemade salsa or a zesty chimichurri sauce for dipping. These fresh condiments can brighten the flavors of the beef filling and add an extra layer of culinary excitement.
Without further delay, here’s the recipe for your delectable homemade beef empanadas!
Homemade Beef Empanadas
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Ingredients
Flaky Empanada Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ stick unsalted butter (6 ounces of butter), very cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
- ¼-½ cup milk (or beef pan juices for richer flavor)
Savory Beef Empanada Filling:
- 1 pound Laura’s Lean Ground Beef (92% lean or higher recommended)
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp. Avocado oil or other high-smoke point oil
- 2 Yellow onions, sliced into thin circles or finely diced
- 1 Tbsp. Smoked Paprika (for depth of flavor)
- 6-8 Castelvetrano Olives or other favorite green olive, roughly chopped
- 2 hard boiled eggs, cut into small rounds or chopped
- 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt or more to taste
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Savory Filling
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In a medium saucepan or large skillet, heat the unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced or finely diced yellow onions to the pan and drizzle them with the avocado oil (or other high-smoke point oil).
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Sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become translucent, typically about 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt to help them release their moisture and caramelize. Next, add the Laura’s Lean Ground Beef to the pan.
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Cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a flat spatula as it cooks to ensure an even, crumbly texture. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains.
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Once the beef is thoroughly cooked, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Then, stir in the smoked paprika and ground cumin, mixing well to distribute the spices evenly throughout the filling. The aroma will be incredible!
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Remove the pan from the heat and allow the beef mixture to cool completely. This step is crucial as warm filling can make the dough difficult to handle. Once cooled, gently stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs and green olives. Set the filling aside while you prepare the empanada dough.
Step 2: Craft the Flaky Dough
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In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the very cold, cubed unsalted butter. You can mix this by hand, using your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs, or pulse in a food processor until the mixture is sandy with pea-sized pieces of butter. Add the large egg and gradually add the milk (or beef pan juices if using) in small increments, combining until a cohesive, somewhat clumpy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; overworking the dough can lead to a tough crust.
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Divide the dough into two large balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a thin sheet, about ⅛-inch thick. Using a round cookie cutter, a glass, or a small bowl (I used a small round bowl for reference), cut out circular disc shapes for your empanada wrappers. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut out additional circles until all dough is used. You can use these dough discs immediately, or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake Your Empanadas
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Take one homemade empanada circle and place a spoonful of the cooled beef filling onto one half of the dough. Be mindful not to overfill, as this will make it difficult to seal the empanada properly. Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons per disc, depending on its size.
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Gently fold the unfilled side of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with your fingers to seal. Then, using the tines of a fork, firmly press around the outer edges of the crust to create a decorative, secure seal (this is called “repulgue” in some cultures). Hint: For extra adhesion, you can lightly brush the inside edges of the dough with an egg wash (one beaten egg with a tablespoon of water) before folding.
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Place the assembled empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray. Transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 15-20 minutes while you preheat your oven to 375º F (190º C). Chilling helps the crust hold its shape and become flakier during baking.
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Once the oven is preheated, remove the empanadas from the refrigerator. If you made an egg wash earlier, lightly brush the tops of each empanada with it; this will give them a beautiful golden-brown sheen. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for approximately 18-25 minutes, or until the crusts are golden and puffed. To achieve an even more pronounced golden color and crispy finish, you can carefully turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, watching them closely to prevent burning.
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Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve your delicious homemade beef empanadas warm and enjoy every savory bite!
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Please note: This post is part of the #LaurasLean campaign, sponsored by Laura’s Lean, for which I received compensation from Carusele. Rest assured, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are genuinely my own and reflect my honest experience with the product.