Description
These savory Beef Empanadas are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack, featuring ground beef seasoned with spices, green chiles, and pimentos, all wrapped in flaky pie crust and baked until golden. Served with traditional guacamole, they bring a flavorful touch of Mexican-inspired cuisine to your table in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/4 onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (or chipotle chili powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 4 ounces diced pimento peppers
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
Dough and Topping
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)
Serving
- HERDEZ™ Traditional Guacamole (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough: Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts on a clean, flat surface. Using a 3-inch round pastry cutter, cut circles from the dough. Gather any scraps, reroll, and cut additional circles as needed.
- Cook Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef thoroughly until no longer pink.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Stir in the diced onions, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, diced green chiles, and pimento peppers. Sauté the mixture for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add Tomato Paste and Cheese: Stir in the tomato paste and then the shredded cheese. Remove the mixture from heat once the cheese has begun to melt.
- Assemble Empanadas: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto the center of each dough circle.
- Seal Dough: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges securely along the curved side to prevent filling from leaking.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the empanadas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other. Brush the tops with the whisked egg wash to promote browning.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the empanadas for about 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Allow empanadas to cool slightly after baking. Serve warm with HERDEZ™ Traditional Guacamole for dipping and enjoy your flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the shredded sharp cheddar with a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor.
- Make sure not to overfill the empanadas to avoid leakage during baking.
- If you prefer a spicier option, increase the chili powder or use chipotle chili powder.
- Egg wash is essential for a golden, shiny crust but can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
- Leftover empanadas can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired