Homemade Empanadas

This homemade empanada recipe is so easy for anyone to make from scratch! The dough is made with just a few ingredients and comes together really quickly. Once you have the dough rolled out, and the filling prepared and kept in place; the whole recipe comes together in just a few steps, and you’ll have delicious homemade empanadas in no time.

Related: How to make scones recipe

Empanada filling options are endless, you can fill them with anything from chicken to beef and/or vegetables. I love the classic beef filling, but shredded chicken, pork, or even vegetables would be great. You can even use my easy shepherd’s pie filling for it. So feel free to get creative with this beef empanada recipe.

Whether it’s savory or sweet, empanadas can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or dessert! In this post, I will share my favorite homemade beef empanada recipe that is sure to delight everyone in your home. I will cover the basic procedures, the different types of fillings that you can choose from, and the tips for making the best beef empanadas every time. So grab your ingredients and let’s get started.

What is an empanada?

Empanadas are a type of savory pastry or turnover typically filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese. The dough is made from flour, water, salt, and fat (usually lard) and is rolled out into a thin crust. It is then filled with whatever filling the recipe calls for, folded over into a half-moon shape, and crimped along the edges. They make a great appetizer or main dish and are perfect for parties or picnics.

There are many different ways to make empanadas, they can be baked or fried in oil and are often served with dipping sauces such as chimichurri or salsa. There are many different types of empanadas from all over the world. For example, in Spain, they are called Empanadas Gallegas and usually contain tuna, sardines, chorizo, and sofrito sauce.

What country are empanadas from?

Empanadas originated in Spain and Portugal, but they are now widespread in South American countries like Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela. In some regions of Latin America (Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic), they are called Pastelitos. While in America they are known as meat pies. In India, they are called samosas and typically have a potato-based filling. In Jamaica, they are known as beef patties and pastillas in Puerto Rico.

Traditional empanadas vary in size and shape depending on the region, but are typically circular and about 4-6 inches in diameter. The fillings also vary depending on the region, but some common fillings include beef, chicken, ham, spinach, mushroom, shredded cheese, and fruits.

In the Philippines and other parts of Asia, empanadas are typically made with rice flour dough and filled with meat or vegetables. In Argentina, beef empanadas are popular too they often include hard-boiled eggs in the filling and are seasoned with warm spices. Also in Chile, you could find chicken, pork, or cheese fillings mixed with hard-boiled eggs, olives, and raisins.

Puerto Rican empanadas are made with ready-to-use dough wrappers, ground beef, goya sauce, shredded cheese, sofrito, olives, and different blends of spices. No matter what country you’re in or what type of empanada you are used to eating, one thing is for sure – they’re always delicious!

Types of empanadas

• Beef Empanadas– These are typically made with ground beef, onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. The filling is enclosed in a dough made from flour, water, salt, and fat (usually lard, vegetable shortening, or butter).
• Chicken Empanadas– These are similar to the beef version, but with shredded or ground chicken instead of beef as the primary protein. Other common ingredients in chicken empanadas include potatoes, peas, carrots, and corn. The filling is seasoned with onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder.
• Cheese– As you might guess, these types are filled with shredded cheese and sometimes with vegetables! They’re often served with a side of salsa or guacamole.
• Ham and Cheese– These empanadas fillings consist of ham and cheese, and are often served with a dipping sauce such as ranch dressing or sour cream.
• Vegetarian empanadas– These can be filled with a variety of vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers.
• Spinach and Feta-These are other types of vegetarian empanadas filled with spinach, feta cheese, and seasonings such as garlic and onion powder.
• Chilean– They often contained ground beef, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and raisins.
• Argentinian empanadas– They are typically made with a beef or chicken filling and seasoned with warm herbs and spices. They can be baked or fried.
• Mexican empanadas– They can be either sweet or savory, and often have a chicken or pork filling. They are usually fried in oil.
• Empanada Gallega– These types are originally from Galicia in northwestern Spain. They are typically filled with fresh fish or seafood, such as tuna, sardines, shrimp, or lobster. Other common ingredients include onions, peppers, and potatoes.
• Sweet Empanadas– While most turnovers are savory, there are also sweet versions available. These are typically filled with fruit fillings such as apples, strawberries, or bananas; they can be served with a sweet dipping sauce such as caramel or chocolate, and are great for a delicious dessert or snack.

Ingredients for Homemade Empanadas

• 2-pounds ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup carrots, finely diced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup Yukon gold potatoes, finely diced
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/3 cup diced celery stalks
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Ingredients for empanada dough

• 3 cups of flour or you can use 1 package of pre-made pie crusts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup of cold butter
• 1 egg

How to make Homemade empanadas from scratch

For the empanada dough

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Cut in 1/2 cup of cold butter and work them into the flour with your clean fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Once the ingredients are combined, whisk 1 large egg, add to it, and slowly stir in 1/2 cup of ice-cold water. Stir the mixture with a spatula after each addition until the flour is completely wet. Once you have a wet dough, drop the spatula and use your clean hand to bring it together.

Now, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for 3 minutes until it is smooth and easy to manage. Place the dough back into the bowl, then cover and let it rest for 30 minutes in the fridge while you make the empanada filling.

How to make the empanadas filling

Place a large saucepan over medium heat, and add some vegetable oil, to it once it is hot, go in with some chopped onions and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.

After that, add in diced celery stalks, and chopped carrots then cook these for 5 minutes until fragrant.

Next, add the ground beef and cook it for 4 minutes try breaking it up into smaller chunks so they cook evenly. Also, add minced garlic and stir it into the meat. Cook for a few more minutes until the beef is no longer pink.

Add the tomato paste to it, and stir. This adds a beautiful red color to the empanada filling. Season with cumin, black pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, red chili flakes, some beef bouillon cubes, and salt to taste. Stir the content and make sure everything comes together beautifully.

Go in with the rest of the veggies which are your finely diced potatoes and frozen peas, and stir. Add about 2 cups of plain water to the content and mix it for the last time. Place a lid over and bring to a simmer on medium heat for 25 minutes. You want both the beef and the potatoes to get cooked nicely at the same time.

Check for doneness and the liquid level. You want most of the liquid to evaporate and if there is still liquid in the filling leave it to cook for an additional 3 minutes until you have a thick but juicy filling left. Once it is ready, take it off the heat and let it cool down completely.

To assemble the empanadas

Take the dough out of the fridge, place it on a lightly floured surface and divide it in half and roll it out to 1/4 thickness; use a biscuit cutter or glass to cut out 3-inch circles from the dough and flatten out each of the small circles again to 5 to 6 inches circle. Repeat this with the remaining dough. I like to work on the dough while it is still chilled.

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of the flattened dough, brush the edges with egg wash to serve as glue, and fold in half. Use your finger to twist and press the edges to seal well.

You can also use a fork to crimp the edges together to seal if desired. Place the filled pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you are done with all the filling and the dough, brush the top with egg wash. This will give them a really beautiful golden color after they have come out of the oven.

Bake your filled pastries for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the crust is golden brown. Now that you have your homemade empanadas out of the oven, leave them to cool down for 15 minutes before serving.

Now, these easy empanadas are ready, you can serve them just right away.

Although each method has its unique benefits, it all depends on what you want. Frying is a quick and easy way to cook them. It allows you to get a crispy and golden brown crust that some people prefer while baked empanadas will take a bit longer to cook, but they are generally healthier since they aren’t fried in oil.

Homemade empanadas can last in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat them, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat them in the oven or microwave.

The fat is added to the dough to make it easier to work with and to prevent the dough from drying out. Also, some recipes may call for a small amount of sugar to be added to the dough. This is only needed if you like your empanadas filling on the sweeter side.

If you like a spicier sauce, try making a spicier sauce like sriracha mayo, chipotle sour cream, salsa verde, or salsa Roja. For those who like their empanadas with a little bit of sweetness, a common sauce to pair with these delicious pastries is dulce de leche. Dulce de leche is a thick and creamy caramel sauce that pairs perfectly with the flaky crust of an empanada. You can also try a dipping sauce made with fruit juices or jam for a sweeter option.

If you want to add a little bit of spice to your dulce de leche, try adding some cayenne pepper or chili powder. Another great dip for empanadas is a simple tomato sauce.

When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw them first, just place them on a baking sheet and bake as directed in the recipe until golden brown. have in mind that frozen empanadas will take a bit longer to cook through compared to when they are not frozen.

Empanada filling ideas

The most common filling for empanadas is ground beef and shredded or ground chicken. However, they can also be filled with turkey, ham, pork, or lamb. Sometimes, they are made by combining meat and cheese. They can also be filled with fish, seafood, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos, and even rice and bean. Some recipes call for fruit fruits such as apples, olives raisins, or berries.

Other common fillings for empanadas include chocolate chips, caramel sauce, and nuts. The fillings can be seasoned with onions, garlic, and some warm herbs and spices like cumin, thyme, chili pepper, cinnamon black pepper, and oregano.

Tips for making the best homemade empanadas

1. Cook the beef filling until most of the liquid has evaporated– If the filling is too runny, the empanadas will become soggy.
2. Make sure the dough is rolled out thinly – About 1/4 inch thick. If it’s too thick, the pies will be doughy and difficult to eat.
3. Allow the filling to cool down first- If you’re assembling your empanada filling on the same day as you plan to bake them, it’s important to let the filling cool completely before adding it to the dough. This will help prevent the dough from becoming gummy or sticky.
4. Be generous with the filling– These little pies are all about the filling, so don’t be stingy. Also, be careful not to overfill your empanadas. Too much filling will make them difficult to seal and can cause them to burst open during the cooking process.
5. Seal the edges well– To prevent the filling from leaking out during baking or frying, brush the edges of the empanada dough with an egg wash before sealing. You can use a fork to press the edges of the dough together after adding the filling or try a different sealing method such as twisting the dough into a rope-like shape.
6. Pre-heat your oven (if baking)– This will help ensure that your empanadas cook evenly and don’t become soggy. If you’re frying them, use enough oil and make sure the oil is at the right temperature so they cook evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
7. Let them cool before eating– Empanadas are best eaten when they have cooled slightly. This will give the dough time to set and for the filling to firm up.

What to serve with empanadas

Empanadas can be served as a main dish or as an appetizer. If you want to keep things simple, a green salad with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and onions is always a good option. This refreshing side dish will help to balance out the richness of the flaky pastry.

For something a little heartier, pair them with Spanish rice, plantain chips, rice and beans, roasted potatoes, or sweet potato fries. These classic dishes are filling and satisfying, and they are easy to make ahead of time.

And of course, no empanada meal would be complete without some dipping sauces on the side. A few good options are a simple garlic aioli, flavorful chimichurri, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or even just plain old ketchup. These flavorful sauces will take your empanadas to the next level.

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a complete meal, empanadas are a delicious option that is sure to satisfy you. So why not give them a try?