Beef Empanadas

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Beef empanadas are tasty little pockets of joy. You can make them easily at home with store-bought pie crusts. These beef empanadas take just 20 minutes to prep and 35 minutes to cook, making 16 servings at 194 calories each.

The filling is a mix of ground beef, onions, garlic, and spices. You’ll love how the flavors blend together. Serve them at your next party or game day – they’re sure to be a hit!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty beef empanadas:

• 2 packages refrigerated pie crusts (4 crusts total)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced

For the seasoning mix:

• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Additional ingredients:

• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)

You’ll love how easy it is to put these empanadas together with pre-made pie crusts. The filling is packed with flavor from the mix of spices and veggies. Feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste if you want more or less heat.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.

Mix in bell pepper and spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add beef broth and tomato paste, then simmer until thick. Let cool slightly.

Cut 4-inch circles from pie crusts on a floured surface. Place 2 tablespoons of beef mixture and some cheese in the center of each circle.

Fold dough over to make half-moons. Seal edges with a fork. Put empanadas on a lined baking sheet and brush with beaten egg.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating halfway through. Look for a golden-brown color. Let them cool a bit before you dig in.

Serve your tasty empanadas with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Enjoy your homemade treat!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily change up these beef empanadas to suit your tastes. Try swapping the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. For a vegetarian version, use black beans or lentils instead.

Don’t have pie crusts? Use puff pastry or make your own dough from scratch. You can also try corn tortillas for a different texture.

Mix up the cheese by using pepper jack, queso fresco, or mozzarella. Add some diced potatoes or corn to the filling for extra heartiness.

Spice things up with diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. For a sweeter twist, add some raisins or diced apples to the meat mixture.

Try baking the empanadas in an air fryer for extra crispiness. Cook them for about 8-10 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway through.

You can make mini empanadas for appetizers by using a smaller cutter. Just adjust the filling amount and baking time accordingly.

Freeze unbaked empanadas for later. Place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make sure your filling is cool before assembling the empanadas. This prevents the dough from getting soggy.

For extra flavor, add some raisins or chopped olives to the beef mixture.

You can prep the filling a day ahead and store it in the fridge. This makes assembly quicker on cooking day.

To freeze uncooked empanadas, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Leftover cooked empanadas can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to crisp them up again.

For a shortcut, use store-bought empanada discs instead of pie crust. You can find these in the freezer section of many grocery stores.

Try different cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a twist on the flavor.

Serve your empanadas with a variety of dips. Some tasty options include:

• Chimichurri sauce
• Spicy mayo
• Avocado crema

Don’t forget to label your frozen empanadas with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of what’s in your freezer.