Description
Empanadas are savory pastries filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, or cheeses, wrapped in a flaky dough and baked or fried to golden perfection. A popular street food and comfort dish in many Latin cultures.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound ground beef or chicken
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped olives or hard-boiled eggs (optional)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg, water, and vinegar. Add to flour mixture and mix to form a dough. Knead briefly, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion and cook until translucent, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add ground meat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned, stir in tomato sauce, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes. Stir in olives or chopped boiled eggs if using. Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll dough on a floured surface and cut into 5-inch circles.
- Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of filling into each circle, fold over, and crimp edges to seal. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Brush tops with beaten egg. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Empanadas can be baked or deep-fried depending on preference.
- Use store-bought pastry dough for a quicker version.
- Fillings can vary: try cheese, spinach, mushrooms, or sweet fillings like apple or guava paste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 40mg