Description
Crispy golden beef empanadas bring South American street food magic right to home kitchens. Flaky pastry pockets filled with savory seasoned beef create a delightful meal you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 package pre-made pie crust (2 rolls)
- 1 cup Mexican blended cheese
Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 medium bell pepper, diced
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef, onions, and bell peppers. Cook while stirring occasionally until the beef is completely browned, onions become translucent, and peppers soften, approximately 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Incorporate cumin, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili powder into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly and allow spices to meld for an additional 2 minutes, intensifying the flavor profile.
- Spread out pre-made pie crusts on a clean surface. Use a cereal bowl to trace and cut circular shapes. Typically, each crust yields three circles. Reroll remaining dough to create additional circles, aiming for about 8 empanadas total.
- Position pie crust circles on the prepared baking sheet. Center 2-3 tablespoons of beef mixture on each circle, then sprinkle cheese over the filling.
- Carefully fold each pie crust circle in half, creating a half-moon shape. Crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal completely and prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Whisk an egg and delicately brush the surface of each empanada to ensure a golden, glossy finish during baking.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the empanadas turn a rich golden brown. Allow to cool briefly before serving alongside salsa, guacamole, or a crisp salad.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish, ensuring a lighter texture without compromising flavor.
- Create a gluten-free option by substituting pie crust with gluten-free pastry dough or using corn tortillas as a wrapper for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Add extra vegetables like corn, spinach, or diced zucchini to boost nutritional value and introduce more complexity to the empanada’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg