Empanadas are a popular dish that can be found in many different variations. These delicious pastries are usually filled with a combination of meat, vegetables, cheese, or sweet fillings. They are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even as a main course.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 small red bell peppers, chopped
- 3 packages (12 each) puff pastry dough for turnovers/empanadas
- 3 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp. ground cumin
- 2 tbsp. sweet paprika
- 1 tbsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 & 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 tsp. sugar
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large pot over high. Cook beef, breaking up with a spoon, until browned but not completely cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon leaving as much fat in pan as possible.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook onion, bell peppers, and remaining 1 tbsp. oil, stirring until tender but not browned, 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken stock and reserved beef along with any accumulated juices to pot.
- Stir in sugar, 4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 15-20 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover, and chill at least 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Let dough sit at room temperature. Remove 6 rounds from dough package, keeping plastic divider underneath, and arrange on a work surface. Place 2 tbsp. filling in the center of each round. Top with 2 halves. Brush water around half of the outer edge of each round. Using the plastic divider to help you, fold round over filling and pinch edges to seal. Using a fork, crimp edges. Remove plastic and transfer empanada to a parchment-lined sheet tray, spacing 1” apart. Repeat with remaining rounds.
- Bake empanadas, rotating tray halfway through, until golden brown and slightly darker around the edges, 25-35 minutes.
Empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed any time of day. This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to experiment with different fillings and spices to create your own unique empanada flavors. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make these savory pastries like a pro!