Savory Beef Empanadas
Elevate your next Mexican menu with these Savory Beef Empanadas. Crafted with a flaky and delicious shell filled with perfectly seasoned ground beef, onions, and a hint of spice, these empanadas are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether served as a lunch option, a snack, or an appetizer, they are sure to impress your guests. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or prepare a batch ahead of time and freeze them for an effortless treat whenever hunger strikes.
N/A
Servings
110
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen patty shells
1 (10 ounce package, thawed)
Lean ground beef
1/2 lb (crumbled)
Minced onion
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Red chile salsa
3 tablespoons (hot or mild)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon (ground)
Ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, crumble the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced onion and sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
2
Drain excess grease and return the mixture to the skillet. Stir in the red chile salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3
On a floured surface, roll out the thawed patty shell dough into a large sheet, about 1/16 inch thick. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter or a large drinking glass, cut the dough into rounds.
4
Place 2 teaspoons of the beef filling onto the center of each round. Carefully fold each dough round over to create a half-moon shape.
5
Moisten the edges of the dough with a small amount of water to seal, then press the edges together with a fork to crimp and secure the filling inside.
6
Arrange the empanadas on an ungreased cookie sheet, making sure to leave some space between them. Using a fork, prick holes in the tops of the empanadas to allow steam to escape.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown. Serve warm for the best flavor.
8
If you want to prepare in advance, let the baked empanadas cool completely before wrapping them individually and freezing. To reheat, bake frozen empanadas uncovered at 400°F (200°C) for 5 to 8 minutes.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
10g
Carbs
4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Beef Empanadas?
Savory Beef Empanadas are Mexican-style pastries featuring a flaky shell filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, and spices.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of lean ground beef.
How long does it take to brown the ground beef?
The ground beef should be cooked until browned, which typically takes about 5-7 minutes over medium heat.
What kind of dough is recommended for the empanada shells?
A 10-ounce package of frozen patty shells, thawed, is used for the dough.
How thin should the dough be rolled out?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of approximately 1/16 inch.
What size should the dough rounds be?
You should use a 3-inch round cookie cutter or a large drinking glass to cut the dough into rounds.
How much beef filling goes into each empanada?
Place 2 teaspoons of the beef filling onto the center of each dough round.
What is the shape of these empanadas?
The dough is folded over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
How do you seal the empanadas?
Moisten the edges with a small amount of water and press them together with a fork to crimp and secure the filling.
Why do you need to prick holes in the top of the empanadas?
Pricking holes with a fork allows steam to escape while they are baking.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat and bake the empanadas at 400°F (200°C).
How long do the empanadas need to bake?
Bake them for 15 to 20 minutes.
How do I know when the empanadas are done?
They are finished when they become golden brown.
Can I freeze these empanadas?
Yes, let the baked empanadas cool completely, wrap them individually, and then freeze them.
How do you reheat frozen empanadas?
Bake the frozen empanadas uncovered at 400°F (200°C) for 5 to 8 minutes.
What spices are included in the beef mixture?
The mixture includes chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and ground coriander.
How much onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of finely chopped minced onion.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheet?
No, the instructions specify using an ungreased cookie sheet.
What type of salsa is used?
Three tablespoons of red chile salsa, either hot or mild, are stirred into the beef.
How many calories are in one empanada?
There are 110 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 6g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in an empanada?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each empanada?
Each serving provides 4g of protein.
Should the filling be hot when added to the dough?
The filling should be removed from heat and set aside to cool slightly before being placed on the dough.
Is it necessary to drain the beef?
Yes, you should drain the excess grease after browning the beef and sautéing the onions.
What should I do if I don't have a cookie cutter?
You can use a large drinking glass to cut the dough into rounds.
Can these be served as a party food?
Yes, they are described as an ultimate crowd-pleaser and ideal for party food or appetizers.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients in this recipe.
What is the first step in making the filling?
The first step is to crumble and cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned.
What texture should the onions have after sautéing?
The onions should be soft and translucent.