Ingredients
Scale
Creating the perfect beef empanada begins with gathering the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
For Assembly:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
Follow these steps to create perfectly crafted beef empanadas.
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Add Butter: Incorporate the diced butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, ice water, and vinegar.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Knead and Chill: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Preparing the Filling
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions, garlic, and red bell pepper until soft.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Season: Stir in cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add Final Ingredients: Incorporate the olives, raisins, and chopped boiled eggs into the beef mixture. Stir to combine and remove from heat.
Step 3: Assembling the Empanadas
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut Circles: Use a round cutter or a bowl to cut circles of about 5 inches in diameter.
- Fill and Fold: Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape.
- Seal Edges: Press the edges with a fork or twist to seal securely.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the top of each empanada with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Step 4: Baking
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool: Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g