Authentic Argentine Beef Empanadas
Indulge in the rich flavors of Argentina with these Authentic Argentine Beef Empanadas, a beloved street food enjoyed across South America. These crescent-shaped pastries are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, aromatic spices, and hard-boiled eggs, inspired by the culinary traditions of Buenos Aires. Each bite combines a flaky, golden crust with a juicy filling, offering a delightful contrast in texture. Empanadas are incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with different fillings such as cheese, vegetables, or even sweet fruits. Whether you choose to bake or fry them, these empanadas make for a perfect appetizer, lunch, or snack. Serve them with chimichurri sauce or a side salad for a complete meal. Join the culinary journey to Argentina with these delicious empanadas!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
salt
1-2 teaspoons (to taste)
cold margarine or butter
3/4 cup (cut into small cubes)
eggs
2 (beaten)
cold water
2/3 cup (cold)
white vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
ground beef (or turkey or chicken)
1 lb (raw)
hard-boiled eggs
4 (chopped)
stuffed green olives
1 cup (halved)
raisins
handful (optional)
large onion
1 (minced)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
ground cumin powder
2-3 tablespoons (to taste)
chili pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (to taste)
salt and pepper
to taste (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt.
2
Use your fingers or two knives to mix in the cold margarine or butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized lumps.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cold water, eggs, and white vinegar. Gradually add this mixture to the flour, stirring until the dough comes together without being too sticky.
4
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently for about 5 minutes until smooth. Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a cool place for at least one hour.
5
While the dough is resting, heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Mince the onion and garlic, adding them to the pan, and cook until the onion is translucent.
6
Add the ground beef to the onion mixture, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
7
Stir in the cumin, chili flakes, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
8
Chop the hard-boiled eggs and mix them with the meat mixture along with the sliced olives and optional raisins, if using. Set aside.
9
Preheat the oven to 375°F (200°C). On a floured surface, roll out the empanada dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles measuring approximately 4-6 inches in diameter.
10
Place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each dough circle. Moisten the edges with a little water, fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, and press to seal. For extra security, crimp the edges or create a braided seal by folding sections of the edge over.
11
Optionally, brush the tops of the empanadas with beaten egg yolk for a golden finish.
12
Arrange the empanadas on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Authentic Argentine Beef Empanadas?
They are crescent-shaped pastries filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, aromatic spices, and hard-boiled eggs, featuring a flaky, golden crust.
What is the origin of this empanada recipe?
These empanadas are inspired by the culinary traditions of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
What ingredients are needed for the empanada dough?
The dough requires all-purpose flour, salt, cold margarine or butter, eggs, cold water, and white vinegar.
How long should the dough rest before rolling?
The dough should rest in a cool place for at least one hour.
Can I use a different meat besides ground beef?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
What spices are used to season the beef filling?
The filling is seasoned with ground cumin powder, chili pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Are there eggs inside the empanada filling?
Yes, four chopped hard-boiled eggs are mixed into the meat filling.
Do these empanadas contain olives?
Yes, the recipe includes one cup of halved stuffed green olives.
Are raisins mandatory in Argentine empanadas?
No, raisins are optional in this recipe and can be added based on preference.
How should the onion and garlic be prepared?
Both the onion and the three garlic cloves should be minced before cooking.
What is the recommended thickness for rolling the dough?
The dough should be rolled out to about 1/8 inch thick.
What size should the dough circles be?
The circles should be approximately 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
How much filling goes into each dough circle?
Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.
How do you seal the empanadas?
Moisten the edges with water, fold to create a half-moon, and press to seal. You can also crimp the edges or create a braided seal.
What oven temperature is used for baking?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How long do the empanadas need to bake?
They should bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Can these empanadas be fried?
Yes, you can choose to either bake or fry them.
What gives the empanadas a golden finish?
Optionally brush the tops with beaten egg yolk before baking for a golden finish.
What should I serve with Argentine empanadas?
They are traditionally served with chimichurri sauce or a side salad.
Are these empanadas suitable for appetizers?
Yes, they make a perfect appetizer, lunch, or snack.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a total of 15 ingredients.
How do I incorporate the butter into the flour?
Use your fingers or two knives to mix cold margarine or butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized lumps.
Should the water used in the dough be hot or cold?
The water used for the dough must be cold.
How long should I knead the dough?
Knead the dough gently for about 5 minutes until smooth.
What is the purpose of white vinegar in the dough?
White vinegar is added to the liquid mixture to help create the desired dough texture.
Should the beef filling be cooled before assembly?
Yes, the meat mixture should be allowed to cool slightly before adding eggs and olives and filling the dough.
Can I add cheese to these empanadas?
Yes, empanadas are versatile and you can experiment with different fillings like cheese or vegetables.
What texture should the filling have?
The filling should be juicy to provide a contrast to the flaky crust.
Is this recipe considered street food?
Yes, empanadas are a beloved street food across South America.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, the recipe instructions specify sifting the flour and salt together.