Flaky Beef Empanadas Recipe for Hearty Family Dinners

Succulent beef empanadas represent pure comfort food magic that crosses cultural boundaries.

Latin American cuisine lovers and pastry enthusiasts will absolutely adore these delightful handheld treats.

Crispy golden exteriors promise delectable surprises waiting inside each perfectly crafted pocket.

Portable and satisfying, these empanadas work wonderfully as hearty appetizers or complete meal options.

Sharing becomes effortless when such delicious morsels emerge from your kitchen.

Experienced home cooks and kitchen newcomers can confidently master this crowd-pleasing recipe with minimal effort.

Reasons to Try Easy Beef Empanadas

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: These beef empanadas are perfect when friends drop by, and they’ll disappear faster than you can say “delicious snack”.
• Simple Shortcut Cooking: Using pre-made pie crust makes assembling these little pockets super fast, so your dinner comes together without complicated steps.
• Family-Friendly Flavor: Kids and adults alike go crazy for the cheesy beef filling, which means zero mealtime battles and happy faces around the table.
• Flexible Meal Solution: Whether as an appetizer, quick lunch, or casual dinner, these empanadas adapt perfectly to whatever your kitchen needs that day.

Which Ingredients Do You Need for Beef Empanadas

• Ground Beef (½ pound): The star of the filling that brings rich, meaty flavor to your empanadas.

• Onion (¼): Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the beef mixture, diced for even distribution.
• Green Chiles (4 ounces): Brings a mild, bright pepper flavor.
• Pimento Peppers (4 ounces): Adds a sweet, slightly tangy note to your filling.

• Ground Cumin (½ teaspoon): Provides warm, earthy undertones.
• Chili Powder (½ teaspoon): Introduces a gentle heat and robust flavor.
• Salt (½ teaspoon): Helps balance and amplify the other seasonings.
• Tomato Paste (2 tablespoons): Concentrates a rich tomato flavor and helps bind the filling.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese (½ cup): Melts beautifully and adds a tangy, creamy element to your empanadas.

• Refrigerated Pie Crusts (2): Creates a flaky, tender wrapper for your savory filling.
• Egg (1): Used for a golden, glossy egg wash that makes your empanadas look professionally baked.
• HERDEZ™ Traditional Guacamole (for serving): A fresh, creamy dipping sauce to complement your empanadas.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Easy Beef Empanadas

• Large Skillet: Your go-to pan for browning beef and mixing filling with perfect heat control.
• 12-inch Baking Sheet: Provides ample space for arranging empanadas and ensures even baking.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze for your baking sheet.
• Pastry Cutter (3-inch): Essential for cutting precise, uniform dough circles for consistent empanadas.
• Fork: Perfect for crimping and sealing the edges of your empanada dough.
• Mixing Bowl: Helpful for combining ingredients and preparing your filling.
• Pastry Brush: Great for applying egg wash and giving your empanadas a beautiful golden sheen.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and filling proportions.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping onions and preparing additional ingredients.

How to Prepare Easy Beef Empanadas

Helpful Notes for Easy Beef Empanadas

• Brown the beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor that makes these empanadas irresistible.
• When cutting circles, press the pastry cutter firmly and twist to get clean, perfect edges for your pockets.
• Don’t overstuff your empanadas – two tablespoons per circle keeps them sealed and prevents messy leaks.
• Use a fork’s tines to crimp edges firmly, creating a decorative border that locks in all the delicious filling.
• Brush egg wash generously to ensure your empanadas get that beautiful, shiny golden-brown exterior when baking.

Flavorful Options For Easy Beef Empanadas

• Chicken Empanada Swap: Replace ground beef with ground chicken and use the same spices and ingredients for a lighter protein alternative.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Version: Substitute ground beef with black beans, diced bell peppers, and corn for a hearty plant-based filling that keeps the same delicious texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pie crust or almond flour tortillas to create the empanada base, ensuring everyone can enjoy the recipe without wheat concerns.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, swap pimentos for roasted green chiles, and include pepper jack cheese to boost the heat and southwestern flavor profile.

Best Serving Options For Easy Beef Empanadas

• Perfectly Pair with Dips: Serve your empanadas with classic guacamole or zesty salsa verde for a fresh contrast to the rich, meaty filling.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Arrange empanadas on a rustic wooden board with small dipping bowls to create an inviting presentation that looks effortlessly delicious.
• Crowd-Pleasing Portions: Count on 2-3 empanadas per person as a hearty appetizer or casual dinner, depending on your crowd’s appetite.
• Temperature Tip: Let empanadas rest for 5 minutes after baking so the filling sets and doesn’t burn your guests’ mouths when they take that first amazing bite.

Storage And Reheating Notes For Easy Beef Empanadas

• Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days, keeping that delicious flavor locked inside.
• Freeze uncooked empanadas on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag so your future self can enjoy a quick meal anytime.
• When reheating, warm your empanadas in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to keep the crust crisp and filling warm.
• If preparing ahead, chop and mix your filling ingredients the day before, storing separately in sealed containers to save time when assembling.

Easy Beef Empanadas Questions And Answers

Easy Beef Empanadas Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Beef empanadas bring serious comfort to your dinner table with crispy pastry and savory meat inside. Grab some ground beef, fold it into golden dough pockets, and watch your family devour these delicious Latin American treats in minutes.

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Ingredients

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Filling:

• ½ pound ground beef
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces diced green chiles
• 4 ounces diced pimento peppers
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ onion, diced

Crust and Coating:

• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• 1 egg

Serving:

• HERDEZ Traditional Guacamole

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Instructions

1. Heat a skillet to medium-high and brown ½ pound ground beef until it crumbles completely.
2. Mix ¼ diced onion, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ½ teaspoon salt into the cooked meat.
3. Stir 4 ounces green chiles and 4 ounces pimento peppers into the beef mixture.
4. Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste and ½ cup shredded cheese to the skillet, then remove from heat.
5. Unroll refrigerated pie crusts and cut 3-inch circles using a pastry cutter.
6. Gather and re-roll dough scraps to maximize circle count.
7. Place 2 tablespoons of beef filling onto each dough circle’s center.
8. Fold dough over to create half-moon shapes and seal edges by pressing with a fork.
9. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
10. Brush each empanada with whisked egg wash.
11. Arrange empanadas on prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch.
12. Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
13. Remove from oven and let cool for 3-5 minutes before serving with guacamole.

Notes

• Check ground beef is fully browned and crumbled before adding other ingredients to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
• Work quickly when assembling empanadas so dough doesn’t dry out and becomes difficult to seal.
• Experiment with different cheese types like pepper jack or queso fresco for varied flavor profiles in your filling.
• Freeze assembled unbaked empanadas on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags for quick future meals that can be baked directly from frozen state.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Beef
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg