How to Make Fried Beef Empanadas with Olives and Sofrito - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like the satisfying crunch of a perfectly fried empanada, and when you combine that with the rich flavors of beef, olives, and sofrito, you've got a winning dish that's sure to please. This recipe for Fried Beef Empanadas with Olives and Sofrito is a taste of pure comfort food, with its savory beef filling and the tangy, briny pop of olives.

Empanadas, a staple in Latin American cuisine, have been enjoyed for centuries and can be found in a variety of forms acros...

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 1 cup diced bell pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup seeded, finely chopped tomatoes
  • ¼ cup sofrito (such as Goya®)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped raisins
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup chopped Spanish olives
  • 2 (1.41 ounce) packages sazon seasoning (such as Goya®)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 (14 ounce) packages frozen empanada shells (such as Goya® discos), thawed
  • 1 cup oil for frying, or as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
  • Servings: 10
  • Yield: 20 empanadas

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease; remove beef to a plate and set aside.
  • Cook onions, bell pepper, and garlic in the same pan over medium heat until peppers are soft and onions are translucent, making sure not to brown or burn garlic, about 5 minutes. Add beef back into the pan and stir to combine. Add tomatoes, sofrito, and raisins; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in chicken stock, tomato sauce, cilantro, olives, sazon, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let mixture cool slightly, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Combine beaten egg and water in a small bowl. Spoon filling mixture evenly into the middles of the thawed empanada discs. Brush edges with egg and water mixture, fold in half, and seal the edges with a fork.
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Fry empanadas in the hot oil, working in batches if needed, until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes, turning halfway through.
  • Nutrition

    374 cal.

    • Total Fat: 14g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 50mg
    • Sodium: 1851mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 47g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 17g
    • Vitamin C: 19mg
    • Calcium: 28mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 309mg