Here’s a classic, crowd-pleasing beef empanadas recipe—golden, flaky, and packed with flavor 🥟
🥟 Beef Empanadas (Traditional Style)
Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish.
🧾 Ingredients
Empanada Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup cold butter, cubed
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup cold water (as needed)
(Shortcut: store-bought empanada discs work great)
Beef Filling
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
- Salt & black pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup olives, chopped (optional but traditional)
- 2 tbsp raisins (optional, Argentine style)
- 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped (optional)
🔥 Instructions
1. Make the Filling
- Sauté onion in oil until soft
- Add garlic and spices; cook 30 seconds
- Add beef and cook until browned
- Stir in tomato paste, olives, raisins, egg
- Season to taste and let cool completely
(Cooling is key—hot filling tears dough.)
2. Assemble
- Roll dough thin and cut 4–5 inch circles
- Add 2 tbsp filling to center
- Fold over, seal edges, crimp with fork
3. Cook
Bake:
- Brush with egg wash
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes
OR Fry:
- Fry at 350°F (175°C) until golden
😋 Why These Work
- Savory, juicy filling
- Flaky crust
- Perfect balance of spice and richness
🌎 Popular Variations
- Argentine: Olives + egg + raisins
- Mexican: Add potatoes and chili
- Colombian: Spiced beef & potato
- Cuban: Sweet and savory with olives
🔥 Headline Ideas
- Golden Beef Empanadas Everyone Loves
- The Secret to Juicy Beef Empanadas
- Homemade Empanadas That Beat Takeout
If you want, I can:
- Make this air fryer-friendly
- Share a no-fry baked version
- Adjust spices for mild or spicy tastes
Just tell me!
