How to Make Fried Beef Empanadas - A Step-by-Step Guide

Empanadas are a beloved dish in many Latin American countries, and for good reason. These savory, hand-held pastries are filled with a variety of delicious ingredients, making them a versatile and satisfying meal or snack. One popular variation is the fried beef empanada, which features a rich and flavorful filling encased in a crispy, golden-brown crust.

The key to a great fried beef empanada is the filling. It typically consists of ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, and a blend...

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Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons adobo seasoning (such as Goya®)
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 3 large hard-cooked eggs, chopped
  • 20 small pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
  • 3 (14 ounce) packages frozen empanada shells (such as Goya® discos), thawed
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying, or as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 1 hr
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
  • Servings: 30
  • Yield: 30 empanadas

  • Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat; add onion and bell pepper. Cook and stir, 3 to 4 minutes. Add beef, garlic, and adobo; continue to cook and stir until meat is browned, crumbly, and no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain mixture in a colander to remove most of the liquid and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  • Transfer cooled mixture to a mixing bowl with raisins, tomato paste, eggs, olives, and vinegar. Mix to combine and season with salt and pepper.
  • Lightly dust a work surface with flour and lay out empanada discs on top. Place a spoonful of stuffing on the bottom half of a disc and moisten the edges with water. Fold disc in half over the stuffing and press with a fork to seal the edges. Dust with flour and transfer to a plate. Repeat to form remaining empanadas, stacking on the plate between layers of waxed paper.
  • Heat vegetable oil (3/4 inch deep) in a large frying pan over medium heat. Place empanadas in the hot oil, working in batches, and fry until browned and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes; flip. Continue frying on opposite side until browned, 3 to 5 minutes more.
  • Nutrition

    211 cal.

    • Total Fat: 9g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 35mg
    • Sodium: 287mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 27g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 8g
    • Vitamin C: 5mg
    • Calcium: 12mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 168mg