Beef Empanadas Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter)
cold and cut into small cubes (1 stick
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 large egg
lightly beaten
- ¾ pound lean ground beef
- ½ yellow onion
diced
- 4 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper
finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 large egg
lightly beaten
Directions
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together.
- 2
While the dough chills, make the filling: Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and cooked through.
- 3
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Beef Empanadas Recipe
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About this Recipe
Imagine biting into a golden, flaky pastry enveloping a rich, savory ground beef filling—that's the comforting delight of homemade beef empanadas. This recipe helps you create that beloved experience right in your kitchen, perfect for a satisfying meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to these delicious empanadas lies in the harmonious pairing of a tender, flaky dough and a deeply seasoned ground beef filling. The inclusion of cold butter and baking powder in the dough helps achieve a light, airy texture that crisps beautifully when baked. Meanwhile, the filling combines lean ground beef with aromatic yellow onion, garlic, spicy jalapeño, and a robust blend of cumin and oregano, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
What to Expect
You can look forward to a truly satisfying culinary adventure with these beef empanadas. Each one promises a delightful contrast: a delicate, slightly crisp exterior yielding to a hearty, flavorful interior. The ground beef filling is rich and savory, enhanced by the subtle warmth of jalapeño and the earthy notes of tomato paste and spices. With the gentle sweetness of frozen peas, this dish offers a balanced and comforting taste experience.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to personalize your empanadas to suit your taste. For a milder flavor profile, you can easily omit the jalapeño pepper. To add a bit of tang, consider incorporating a tablespoon of chopped green olives into the filling alongside the peas. If you're looking for an alternative to ground beef, other ground meats like pork or turkey could be used, though the flavor profile would shift.
Serving & Context
These beef empanadas are wonderfully versatile, perfect for anything from a casual weeknight dinner to an elegant party snack. Serve them warm with a side of your favorite salsa, a zesty chimichurri, or simply enjoy them on their own for a satisfying treat.