Empanadas are a delicious Latin American snack that have been gaining popularity worldwide. But what exactly are beef empanadas? Here is a comprehensive overview explaining what they are, how they are made, different types, and where you can find them.
What is an Empanada?
An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry that is cooked by baking or frying. The word “empanada” comes from the Spanish verb empanar, meaning “to wrap or coat in bread”.
Empanadas are a traditional portable snack or appetizer in many Latin American countries as well as Spain. They are made by placing savory or sweet fillings inside dough or bread, then folding or sealing the dough around the filling to encase it.
What is a Beef Empanada?
A beef empanada is an empanada that contains a spiced ground beef filling. Along with the beef, fillings usually contain onions, garlic, olives, raisins, hard-boiled eggs, and different spices for flavor.
The beef filling provides a tasty contrast with the soft, flaky empanada dough encasing it. Beef empanadas make for a satisfying and portable on-the-go meal.
Typical Ingredients in Beef Empanadas
For the dough
- All-purpose flour
- Butter or shortening
- Egg
- Milk or water
- Salt
- Vinegar or lemon juice
For the filling:
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Garlic
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes or tomato sauce/paste
- Olives
- Raisins
- Hard boiled eggs
- Spices like cumin, oregano, paprika
- Chicken or beef broth
How to Make Beef Empanadas
Making beef empanadas from scratch involves two main components – the dough and the filling.
Making the Dough
The dough for empanadas is similar to pie dough, made using flour, butter, egg, liquid, and salt. Some key tips for empanada dough:
- Use cold butter and work it into the flour for a flaky texture
- Add egg and a bit of milk or water to help bind the dough
- Don’t overwork the dough to avoid toughness
- Chill the dough before rolling it out
Making the Filling
For the beef filling:
- Cook onions and garlic as the base
- Brown the ground beef
- Add spices like cumin, oregano, pepper
- Include broth or tomatoes for moisture
- Cook until the potato is tender
- Allow to cool fully before using as a filling
Assembling the Empanadas
- Roll out dough into rounds
- Place filling in the center of each round
- Fold dough over and seal by pressing edges or pinching pleats
- Brush with egg and bake or fry until golden brown
Different Types of Beef Empanada Dough
There are a few common kinds of dough used to make empanadas:
Flaky Pastry Dough – Made by cutting cold butter into flour. Creates layers like puff pastry. Common in Argentina and Chile.
Masa Harina Dough – Made from masa harina flour, lard, and water. Thicker and heartier. Used often in Mexico.
Puff Pastry – Store-bought puff pastry sheets for convenience. Yields very flaky empanadas.
Cornmeal Dough – Made using cornmeal and flour. Adds great texture. Popular in Colombia.
Popular Regional Styles of Beef Empanadas
Beef empanadas take on different forms across Latin America. Here are some of the most popular regional variations:
Argentine – Large, half-moon shape with juicy beef filling. Baked with flaky wheat dough. Often feature olives, eggs, and raisins.
Mexican – Smaller triangular empanadas made with masa harina dough. Fillings range from beef to chicken, cheese, beans, or veggies.
Chilean – Baked, crescent-shaped with ground beef and onion filling. Dough made using butter for flakiness.
Colombian – Deep-fried, half-moon shape often with cornmeal in the dough. Picadillo beef filling with potato, peas, onion.
Peruvian – Medium-sized, baked empanadas with juicy, mildly spiced beef filling.
Where to Find Beef Empanadas
Craving beef empanadas? Here are some places you can get your hands on these tasty Latin American snacks:
- Latin American bakeries and restaurants
- Frozen section at Latin/Hispanic grocery stores
- Make them from scratch at home
- Find empanada food trucks in cities with large Hispanic populations
- Travel to countries in South America, Mexico, or Spain
How to Eat Beef Empanadas
Beef empanadas are commonly eaten as:
- Appetizers or snacks
- Portable handheld meals
- Side dishes along with meals
- Party finger foods or appetizers
They can be eaten by hand and are often served with:
- Chimichurri sauce
- Spicy salsa
- Guacamole or avocado dip
- Hot sauce like Cholula
- Tomato based dipping sauces
Make Delicious Beef Empanadas at Home
Craving homemade beef empanadas? Try out these top-rated recipes:
Beef Empanadas Recipe – Juicy, authentic beef filling wrapped in easy homemade empanada dough.
Beef Empanadas – Tender empanadas with beef and chorizo filling. Great step-by-step instructions.
Beef and Cheese Empanadas – Smoky beef filling with melty cheese in a crispy fried dough.
With some simple ingredients and a bit of time, you can make incredible gourmet beef empanadas at home for a fraction of the cost.
Beef Empanadas – A Tasty Latin American Treat
Empanadas are an amazing Latin American food perfect for snacking, appetizers, or meals. Beef empanadas combine flavorful spiced ground beef fillings with a variety of doughs, from flaky to chewy to crispy. With so many different regional varieties, there are endless types of empanadas to try! Making them at home lets you enjoy fresh, authentic beef empanadas anytime.
Filling the Beef Empanada Discs
After the filling has cooled, add the chopped green onions and the shredded cheese, stirring thoroughly.
Take one empanada dough disc, placing a spoonful of the filling at the center of one side. Carefully fold the opposite side over, creating a half-moon shape.
Gently press down the outer layer of the disc to seal the beef and cheese empanadas. Optionally, use a fork to press down along the edge for added sealing, or employ a twisting technique as I did for mine.
Repeat this process until all empanadas are prepared and ready for the hot oil.
Heat frying oil in a Dutch oven to 350° degrees F. Once ready, carefully add the empanadas to the skillet, frying for about 1.5-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Fry in batches so that there is no crowding in the fryer. Once done, remove them from the skillet and let them cool for 1 minute.
Serve with chimichurri on the side and enjoy!
Homemade Empanada Dough Recipe
Making homemade dough for our beef empanadas is a lot like making pastry dough or pie dough. Here’s a quick and easy recipe.
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add 8 ounces (2 sticks) of cold, cubed butter, and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, mix one large egg with 1/2 cup ice water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.
- Gradually add this wet mixture to the flour mixture, using your hands to form a dough. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough just long enough to form a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness, then use a large round cutter or bowl edges to make discs. Before frying let the discs come up to room temperature on a baking sheet.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST FLAKY GROUND BEEF EMPANADAS
FAQ
What is an empanada made of?
-
Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.orgEmpanada – WikipediaAn empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling, common in Spain, other Southern European countries, North African countries,
What does an empanada taste like?
-
Savory:A classic beef empanada, for example, might feature a savory ground beef filling seasoned with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and spices like cumin and oregano. This would be a rich, hearty flavor that’s often complemented by olives and raisins.
-
Sweet:Sweet empanadas, like those with caramel apple or fruit fillings, would offer a more sugary and fruity flavor. They may also have a hint of vanilla or other baking spices.
-
Other Flavors:You might also encounter empanadas with cheese, which would have a creamy, salty flavor, or with seafood, which would have a delicate, oceanic taste.
How do you eat beef empanadas?
Empanadas can be served as an appetizer with mayoketchup or your preferred dipping sauce. For a full meal, accompany empanadas with tostones, red beans, or Mexican rice.