Savory Beef & Pork Empanadas with Spiced Tomato Sauce
These delicious empanadas are a delightful blend of seasoned beef or pork, complemented by a medley of roasted vegetables and spices, all encased in a flaky, buttery pastry. Featuring the subtle crunch of toasted almonds and the sweetness of raisins, these empanadas can also incorporate tender diced potatoes for extra heartiness. Perfect for lunch or as a snack, they make for wonderful appetizers when served warm, ideal for gatherings or game days. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce for a delightful treat that everyone will love!
35
Servings
80
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (none)
lard
1/2 cup (cold)
unsalted butter
2 1/2 tablespoons (cold)
salt
1/2 teaspoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons (divided)
ice water
1/2 cup (none)
ground beef or pork
1 lb (none)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
toasted almonds
1/3 cup (chopped)
black raisins
1/3 cup (none)
plum tomatoes
8 (none)
serrano peppers
24 (none)
lime
2 (juiced)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
cloves
1/8 teaspoon (none)
cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon (none)
egg wash
1 (beaten (for brushing))
Instructions
1
For the Dough: In a food processor, combine all-purpose flour and salt. Pulse to mix well.
2
Add the cold lard and unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Pulse until you achieve a crumbly texture.
3
Gradually add the ice water, pulsing until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
4
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
5
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles, about 4-5 inches in diameter.
6
For the Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef or pork until browned. Drain any excess fat.
7
In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and sauté for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.
8
Add the minced garlic, toasted almonds, and black raisins. Sauté the mixture for an additional 2 minutes.
9
In a blender, combine the plum tomatoes, serrano peppers, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
10
Pour the tomato mixture into the skillet with the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir in the cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and mix well.
11
Cook the filling for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid evaporates. Allow to cool slightly.
12
To assemble the empanadas, place a tablespoon of the filling on one half of each pastry circle, fold over, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
13
Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can refrigerate or freeze them at this stage.
14
If baking from frozen, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
7g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Beef & Pork Empanadas with Spiced Tomato Sauce?
They are delicious pastry shells filled with a blend of seasoned beef or pork, roasted vegetables, and spices, featuring toasted almonds and raisins.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
You can use either ground beef or ground pork for the filling.
Can I add heartier vegetables to the filling?
Yes, you can incorporate tender diced potatoes for extra heartiness.
What ingredients are needed for the empanada dough?
The dough is made from all-purpose flour, salt, cold lard, cold unsalted butter, and ice water.
How do I prepare the dough in a food processor?
Combine flour and salt, pulse to mix, then add cold lard and butter and pulse until crumbly before gradually adding ice water.
Why should I avoid overmixing the dough?
Avoiding overmixing ensures the dough comes together properly without becoming tough, maintaining a flaky texture.
How long should the dough chill in the refrigerator?
The dough should be wrapped in plastic and chilled for at least 30 minutes.
What size should the empanada dough circles be?
Once rolled out, the dough should be cut into circles approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
How is the meat for the filling prepared?
The ground beef or pork is sautéed in a skillet over medium heat until browned, with any excess fat drained off.
What aromatics are sautéed with the meat?
Chopped onions are sautéed until soft, followed by minced garlic.
What adds a crunch to the filling?
Toasted chopped almonds are added to the mixture for a subtle crunch.
What type of raisins are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of black raisins.
How do I make the spiced tomato sauce?
Blend plum tomatoes, serrano peppers, lime juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
How many serrano peppers are used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies 24 serrano peppers.
What spices are stirred into the meat and tomato mixture?
The filling is seasoned with cumin, cloves, and cinnamon.
How long should the filling cook once the liquid is added?
Cook the filling for approximately 5 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates.
How do you assemble the empanadas?
Place a tablespoon of filling on one half of a pastry circle, fold over, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Can I freeze the empanadas before baking?
Yes, you can place them on a baking sheet and freeze them at the assembly stage.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long do the empanadas take to bake from frozen?
Bake them for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Is an egg wash required?
The recipe suggests using one beaten egg as an egg wash for brushing the pastries.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 35 servings.
How many calories are in one empanada?
There are 80 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per empanada?
Each serving contains 4g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 7g of carbohydrates per empanada.
How much protein is in each empanada?
Each serving provides 2g of protein.
What type of tomatoes are best for the sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for 8 plum tomatoes.
What makes the pastry buttery and flaky?
The combination of cold lard and cold unsalted butter creates the flaky, buttery texture.
Are these empanadas suitable for appetizers?
Yes, they are ideal as warm appetizers for gatherings or game days.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 18 distinct ingredients in this empanada recipe.